Creedence Clearwater Revival

John Fogerty bought himself out of his contract with Fantasy Records and eventually established a successful solo career.
Money for Nothing (1988) - compilation
On The Night (1993) - live
Live at the BBC (1995) - live
Sultans of Swing: The Very Best of Dire Straits (1998) - compilation. John Fogerty, in an attempt to keep things together, allowed bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug Clifford equal songwriting and vocal time on the band's final album Mardi Gras in 1972, which proved conclusively that Fogerty's songs and vocal style were the key to the band's success. "Tunnel of Love", which contains an instrumental section based on music from Carousel but is otherwise all Knopfler's own work.). His brother Tom left the band in 1971, to pursue an ill-fated solo career. (The best-of album Sultans of Swing contains only two songs not credited to Knopfler alone: "Money For Nothing", which is credited as co-written with Sting, in fact Sting, at the behest of Knopfler, merely added the line "I want my MTV" in the style of The Police hit, "Don't Stand So Close To Me". Due to John Fogerty's success as writer and singer, the other band members began to feel like they were being held back. The band's line-up changed over the years, but one constant was Mark Knopfler, who wrote most of the band's songs and acted as clear leader of the band.

By 1969, the band really began to find their voice; "Proud Mary" became their second hit single and was followed by a series of hits, including "Bad Moon Rising," "Green River," "Down on the Corner," "Travelin' Band," "Who'll Stop the Rain," "Up Around the Bend," "Fortunate Son," and "Lookin' Out My Back Door.". Mark Knopfler would later concentrate on solo projects and film music. A cover of "Suzie Q." became their first hit single. The band's final original studio album, On Every Street was released in 1991 to mixed reviews and moderate success (guest star Vince Gill, who sang backup on several of the album's songs, turned down an offer to join the band full time). The band's first album as Creedence Clearwater Revival was released in 1968. A long period of inactivity followed with only a hits compilation and a live set released for the next six years. Eventually Tom's younger brother, John Fogerty, took control of the group, writing all of their material and singing lead vocals. The popularity of the band extends beyond the UK and US: in many parts of the world including India, Southeast Asia and Africa, Dire Straits has been one of the most well-known and admired western bands.

By the mid 1960s, the band signed a record contract, had their name changed to The Golliwogs by record company executives, and released a few obscure singles that failed to get noticed. Partly as a result of this (and a successful appearance in Live Aid), Dire Straits were the biggest selling band in the world in the mid 1980s. The band started out as The Blue Velvets, formed by Tom Fogerty in El Cerrito, Contra Costa County, California in the late 1950s. This had the accidental side effect of making it one of the "must buy" albums for consumers wishing to demonstrate the new technology. Equally, the new format was an excellent showcase for Knopfler's meticulous production values on the earlier albums, leading many existing fans to repurchase the whole back catalogue. Creedence Clearwater Revival is the name of an American rock band, fronted by John Fogerty. Aiding the success of Brothers in Arms was the fact that it was one of the first fully digitally recorded and produced albums available in the (then) new Compact Disc format. Download sample of "Bad Moon Rising" from Green River. The band's 1985 release Brothers in Arms was an international hit and spawned several singles including the number one hit "Money for Nothing".

Live in Europe (1973). The third album, Making Movies featured keyboardist Roy Bittan (from Bruce Springsteen's band) and marked a move towards more complex arrangements and production which would continue throughout the band's career. Mardi Gras (1972). The second album followed soon afterwards; these first two albums featured a stripped-down band sound. Pendulum (1970). Dire Straits recorded and released their first, self-titled album in 1978 to little fanfare but five months later a single release, "Sultans of Swing" became an unlikely chart hit and album sales took off. Cosmo's Factory (1970). Despite this complete antithesis to popular culture at the time, Dire Straits still became hugely successful.

Willy and the Poor Boys (1969). Mark Knopfler (the band's frontman) was heard to have asked pub managers to turn down the sound, so people could talk over the music, while they were still in their early days. Green River (1969). In an era when punk rock reigned, they played subdued, almost old-school rock and roll. Bayou Country (1969). Dire Straits are a British rock band, formed in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (guitar and vocals), David Knopfler (guitar), John Illsley (bass) and Pick Withers (drums), and managed by Ed Bicknell. Creedence Clearwater Revival (1968). "Encores EP" (1993) #31 UK.

"Calling Elvis" (1991) #21 UK. "Your Latest Trick" (1986) #26 UK. "Walk of Life" (1986) #2 UK; #7 US. "Brothers in Arms" (1985) #16 UK.

"Money for Nothing" (1985) #4 UK; #1 US. "So Far Away" (1985) #20 UK; #19 US. "Twisting by the Pool" (1983) #14 UK. "Private Investigations" (1982) #2 UK.

"Skateaway" (1981) #37 UK. "Romeo and Juliet" (1981) #8 UK. "Sultans of Swing" (1979) #8 UK; #4 US.