Creedence Clearwater Revisited kicks off Villages summer series

Wed, 04/30/2008 - 8:45am
By: The Citizen

Creedence Clearwater Revisited

The Villages Amphitheater will be rocking Saturday, May 3 as the Mercedes-Benz of South Atlanta 2008 Concert Series kicks off the summer season with the well-known sounds of Creedence Clearwater Revisited performing many of the their classic hits such as “Bad Moon Rising,” “Who’ll Stop the Rain” and “Run Through the Jungle.”

Tickets for the concert are $40 for reserved seating and $35 for lawn for advance purchase at either the Historic Train Depot or order by phone at 770-719-4173. Tickets may also be ordered online from the amphitheater website at www.villagesamphitheater.com. Tickets may be purchased the day of show, however, they will be $45 for reserved seating and $40 for lawn seats.

Stu Cook and Doug "Cosmo" Clifford may not have intended it, but their band Creedence Clearwater Revisited has taken on a startling life of its own. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame rhythm section (bass and drums respectively) from the legendary group Creedence Clearwater Revival launched the Creedence Clearwater Revisited project in 1995 to once again perform live Creedence Clearwater Revival hits – touchstones of a generation. “We never really had any intention of playing for the public," said 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.”

Since then, the reaction to Creedence Clearwater Revisited's concerts has been astounding and driven in part by a generation of kids who, as Clifford said, "weren't even born when the music came out." Likewise, the release of a double-live CD on Universal's Hip-O Records label, which features passionate, authoritative versions of 22 classic hits – was the result of public demand. "It was generated by requests of the people who came to the shows," Cook acknowledged. "Over and over they would ask, 'Do you guys have a CD?'" Creedence Clearwater Revisited's "Recollection" has proven so popular that it was certified as a gold record by the RIAA in 2002 and is well on its way towards platinum record status.

Having now toured North America, South America, New Zealand, Europe and Asia, knocking out audiences with astounding concerts jam packed with songs that are still a staple of radio and movie soundtracks, Creedence Clearwater Revisited has come a long way. "In the beginning Cosmo and I decided that if we could find the musicians that could capture the sound and recreate what the music was about, we'd do it," recalled Cook.

As fans who have experienced a Creedence Clearwater Revisited concert can attest, Cook and Clifford found the right players. Lead singer/rhythm guitar player John Tristao, a powerful tenor with the energy to power songs, initially rose to prominence as lead singer for the band People when their hit "I Love You" bulleted into the top ten. Lead guitarist Tal Morris has been described as "the quintessential Bay Area guitar prodigy" and his monstrous talent unleashed live is what a rock 'n' roll concert is all about. Talented multi-instrumentalist Steve Gunner rounds out the group. As Clifford puts it, "Gun provides live all the overdubs that were on the records. He plays keyboard, acoustic guitar, percussion, harmonica and sings the high harmonies."

With this new lineup, Cook and Clifford and their band Creedence Clearwater Revisited add a new chapter to their legacy with vibrant and exhilarating energy and pure American spirit.

"People don't want to be involved in an endless debate," Clifford summed up. "They want to hear the music." And Creedence Clearwater Revisited always delivers.

Gates will open at 7 p.m. on May 3 with the opening act performing at 8 p.m. The Vivid Image Band, an Atlanta area party band specializing in music of the ’60s to the ’90s will be the opener for Creedence Clearwater Revisited.

There are a limited number of tables for eight still available and may also be purchased at the Historic Train Depot along with individual tickets for the evening. Call 770-719-4173 for further information or visit www.Villagesamphitheater.com.

login to post comments