The Reunion After Decades
Legendary rocker John Fogerty has experienced a remarkable journey involving a long-lost guitar that he originally gave away decades ago. The story of this cherished instrument begins in the 1970s when the Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman owned a custom Rickenbacker guitar. Hand-painted with the word “ACME,” a tribute to his childhood love for Looney Tunes cartoons, Fogerty utilized this guitar in every album from 1969’s “Bayou Country” through to the group’s final LP in 1972.
Regret and Reflection
Over the years, Fogerty’s decision to part with the guitar transformed into a significant regret. His search for the instrument led him to discover it again in the 1990s; however, he faced a considerable hurdle: the current owner requested $40,000. Reflecting on this painful moment, he expressed to Rolling Stone, “I was hurt. I was damaged. I started as a kid full of joy doing music, but during the time of Creedence, and shortly after that, it became certainly not joyful.” Fogerty felt the emotional weight of the guitar and declined to repurchase it.
A Christmas Surprise and New Beginnings
Years later, Fogerty’s wife, Julie, took it upon herself to track down the beloved instrument, which had found its way to another guitar shop. She bought it anonymously and presented it to her husband on Christmas morning, reforming their connection after 44 years apart. This reunion has significantly shaped Fogerty’s career, marking a pivotal shift toward healing. The guitar’s return inspired him to create and is featured in his upcoming album, “Legacy – The Creedence Clearwater Revival Years,” set for release on August 22, 2025. The album symbolizes Fogerty’s reconnection with his past, highlighting how the memories associated with the guitar, once painful, have transformed into a source of motivation and renewal.
