Don Zimmerman

shreveport, la. in the late 60's and early 70's was a mecca of visiting rock and roll acts... most i caught at the hirsch colisiem but the night ccr came to town was the one show i was not going to miss. the local band i played in covered most of their songs, and i had to see this band that i had heard played them in concert, "just like the record".

tom had left the group before this tour started, so it was john, stu, and doug on stage, and they rocked the sold out crowd. i just had to meet john... being a guitar player and singer myself, i somehow new this guy would go down in history as being one of the best!

after the show, my date and another couple with us went to an entrance to get to the dressing area. i was a pretty fast talker and after convincing the policeman at the entrance i was a reporter for a university newspaper, he agreed to only let me in, the others would have to wait...

as i walked thru the corridor to the dressing rooms, my mouth was as dry as cotton... i entered the door where food and drinks had been put out for the band, crew and guests.

a man in a suit walked up to me and introduced himself..."hi, i'm dale hawkins'! this was the guy who wrote suzi q! somehow i muttered hi, and said i had meet his brother who had been president of our local musicians union... at that he was ever so gracious and asked if i'd like to meet john? are you kidding! please! as we walked across the room i could see john look up and extend his hand... "hi, john fogerty," he said "as he took my hand he complemented me on a huge gaudy beltbuckle i was wearing. i really don't remember much after that, i think i had a drink that was offered, john was sad about tom not being with the group but remarked, "the band still sounds good, don't you think?" of course i agreed, and then it was over.

funny thing, my small music career has led me to meet many famous entertainers and musicians, but no one, no one, has left an impression like meeting john fogerty.

Do you want to submit a story of your own memories of the Creedence Clearwater Revival (concerts, recordings, anything) onto this section? It's easy. Preferably, write your Creedence story onto your own web page, let me know the address of it, and I'll put a link to there. If you don't have the web facilities, you may submit your story to me via email and I'll be happy to put it onto my page. Thanks!