A Conversation with Original CCR Drummer, Doug 'Cosmo' Clifford

The new CCR acronym is not to be confused with the CCR that disbanded in 1972, the original Credence Clearwater Revival. While the "R" means something different these days, the music is still the same-- minus John Fogerty and some other original members. The new version of CCR was formed in 1995.

After a 20+ year hiatus of raising families and giving back to the community, drummer Doug Clifford and bass player Stu Cook decided to, well, revisit the music that made them stars. The former bandmates and college buddies only intended to hit the private party circuit, perhaps some benefit shows but the concept kind of exploded on the pair. Soon, they were doing 100-city tours and at the request of fans that wanted new recordings, Recollection, a double-disc live album was released.

"The toughest test in music is the test of time, and we pass... We've got three generations coming to our shows," said Clifford in an interview between flights last week.

I told Clifford that I had the juke box position of "Down on the Corner," my fave CCR song, memorized at my favorite bar, Hops and Barley's in Luzerne, Pa. (And Petty's "Don't Do Me Like That" was number 2006.)

"2808! I knew it by heart-- until they got that new digital juke box," I told him.

He laughed. "That's great. I like that!"

But it's a lot of younger folks in these bars playing old CCR songs and other classic rock hits. It seems as if the songs-and the artists- of the late 60s and early 70s seemed to have stopped in time.

"We feel very fortunate to come out of a pop renaissance, as I call it," said Clifford.

We talked a little about the music of days past. I mentioned songs like "Jack and Diane" and "Summer of '69" and other story songs that seem to live on.

"They have good melodies. They are easy to feel... have a wonderful feeling. They have a story you can follow- a beginning, middle and end. In terms of that, they are easy songs to understand. I think that's why a lot of younger fans follow our music," said Clifford.

So, how does it feel to be in a bar and hear a song you made famous blast on the jukebox, or be covered by a local band playing in the joint?
"It makes me feel great," said Clifford, continuing that a lot of his fellow musicians react differently. He explained that in conversations he's had with other old time rock-n-rollers they tell him they usually turn off the old song.

" 'What do you mean you turn off the radio', I say. I still get a kick out of it. I still love it when I hear it on a movie or in a TV show. It validates what we did. That's important to me," he said.

The popularity of CCR songs is evident, as "Proud Mary" has been covered countless times. How does that make the band feel? Clifford explained that song was not the only CCR hit covered.

"We've had a half-dozen of our songs covered. That's a very high form of flattery. I'm proud of that," he said, adding that CCR also covered about 11 songs as a way of saying thanks to those artists that influenced them.

CCR- Credence Clearwater Revisited plays all of the original CCR hits during their shows. And for those who perhaps wonder if the lead singer of the band compares to Fogerty's unmistakable voice, can feel confident as Clifford explains John Tristao is a great entertainer and a perfect front man. Tristao was leader singer of People, whose 60s hit "I Love You" hit the top ten.

The new line-up is rounded out with Tal Morris, who toured with Huey Lewis and the News on lead guitar and Steve Gunner, who provides the high harmony vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards, harmonica and percussion. Clifford says the show will be filled with memorable CCR tunes.

"It's hit after hit after hit. That's amazing. There will be the songs you expect, but then there will be the songs that you forgot about or ones that you didn't know were CCR songs. We have 20 songs and all of them are hits," he said.

"We have a lot of fun and that's apparent when you see us. We have a good time, that's what music is all about," he said.