"We never really had any intention of playing in
the public," says Cook, "but a friend wanted to promote a
couple of concerts. We got talked into it, but didn't know how it would
go over."
The reaction to those shows was astoundingly positive,
Cook observed, driven in part by a generation of kids "who
weren't even born when the music came out."
Having now performed all over North America, Europe
and Asia, knocking out crowds who witness the experience of Creedence
Clearwater Revival members performing the songs that are still
repeatedly played on the radio and are a staple in films, Creedence
Clearwater Revisited has come a long way.
Creedence Clearwater Revisited is the latest
chapter of in the now four-decade long journey that began in the 60's
when Creedence Clearwater Revival's distinctive rock sound captured the
world's imagination. Classics like "Suzie Q," "Born on
the Bayou," "Run Through The Jungle," "Bad Moon
Rising," "Fortunate Son" and "Who'll Stop the
Rain" have earned the band a following that has stayed faithful
over the years and continues to grow today.
Following Creedence Clearwater Revival's breakup in 1972, Stu joined
some former Doobie Brothers in the
pioneering country-rock band, Southern Pacific, while Cosmo performed
with the renowned Sir Douglas Quintet. In 1995, after realizing they
both missed playing Creedence music live, Stu and Cosmo launched the
Revisited project not knowing what the reaction would be. The public's
embrace of Creedence Clearwater Revisited turned out to be
overwhelming and the group has since played some 100-plus shows a year
around the globe.
In Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Stu and Cosmo have brought
together a group of musicians who passionately and faithfully deliver
live the sound and spirit of the music and what it was about. Lead
guitarist Elliot Easton originally found fame playing with the 80's hit
machine The Cars and his blues rock guitar and soaring solos are
a perfect fit in Creedence Clearwater Revisited. Lead vocals are
handled by John Tristao, whose career started with the late 60's band People
and its top-ten hit "I Love You." John's powerful tenor and
endless energy leave audiences astounded. Multi-instrumentalist Steve
Gunner (keyboards, guitar, percussion, harmonica, high harmonies) rounds
out the band's timeless sound.
Cosmo, Stu, Elliot, John, Steve and Creedence Clearwater Revisited
remain true to the musical legacy that has inspired a generation and
stood the test of time.
"We thought if we could find the musicians that
could capture the sound and recreate what the music was about, we'd do
it," recalls Cook. "If we couldn't, we wouldn't."
"I couldn't imagine [the band] coming together and
staying together better than this organization," offers Cook, who likens
Revisited's intra-band rapport to that of early Creedence Clearwater
Revival, when the band was slugging it out in Central California as the
Golliwogs.
Creedence Clearwater Revival's distinctive rock
captured the imagination of the pop world – the songs made great three
minute radio gems – and the more politicized subculture, and they
successfully bridged the gap between the underground and mainstream
audiences. Writer Greil Marcus wrote that "rarely in rock and roll
history has there been so close a relation between creative achievement
and audience response."
"People don't want to be involved in an endless
debate," Clifford sums up about the Creedence Clearwater Revival
break-up. "They want to hear music. Creedence Clearwater Revisited
is an experience they're not going to get anywhere else."