That time John Fogerty was sued for plagiarising John Fogerty…..

*The Ultimate Irony: John Fogerty Accused of Plagiarizing Himself*

In one of the most bizarre and amusing lawsuits in music history, legendary Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty found himself at the center of a plagiarism controversy – accused of ripping off none other than himself.

The saga began in 1985, when Fogerty released his solo album “Centerfield,” which included the hit single “The Old Man Down the Road.” The song’s catchy, bluesy riff and memorable lyrics made it an instant fan favorite, and it quickly rose to the top of the charts.

However, not everyone was pleased with the song’s success. Saul Zaentz, the head of Fantasy Records, which owned the rights to Creedence Clearwater Revival’s music, filed a lawsuit against Fogerty, alleging that “The Old Man Down the Road” bore a striking resemblance to Creedence’s 1970 classic “Run Through the Jungle.”

Zaentz claimed that Fogerty had plagiarized himself, using elements of the earlier song to create the new hit. The lawsuit was a bold move, and one that left many in the music industry scratching their heads.

Fogerty, who had written both songs, was adamant that he had done nothing wrong. He argued that the two songs were distinct and separate, and that any similarities between them were simply a result of his own unique style and sound.

As the lawsuit made its way through the courts, Fogerty found himself in the strange position of having to defend his own music against accusations of plagiarism. The case was a complex one, with both sides presenting expert testimony and musical analysis to support their claims.

In the end, the court ruled in Fogerty’s favor, finding that he had not plagiarized himself and that “The Old Man Down the Road” was a distinct and original work. The decision was a victory for Fogerty, but it also highlighted the often-absurd nature of music industry lawsuits.

Looking back on the experience, Fogerty has said that he was both amused and frustrated by the lawsuit. “It was a ridiculous case,” he told Rolling Stone in a 2015 interview. “I mean, who sues someone for plagiarizing themselves?”

Despite the absurdity of the lawsuit, Fogerty has said that it did have one positive effect: it made him more aware of the importance of protecting his own music and intellectual property. “It was a wake-up call,” he said. “I realized that I had to be more vigilant about protecting my own work.”

The lawsuit also had a lasting impact on the music industry as a whole. It highlighted the often-complex nature of music ownership and copyright law, and it led to changes in the way that songwriters and publishers approach issues of plagiarism and intellectual property.

Today, “The Old Man Down the Road” remains one of Fogerty’s most beloved and enduring songs, and its place in rock history is secure. The lawsuit that surrounded it may have been absurd, but it also added a fascinating chapter to the song’s story – and a reminder of the often-bizarre nature of the music industry.

As for Fogerty, he continues to tour and record music, and his legacy as one of rock’s greatest songwriters and performers remains unchallenged. The lawsuit may have been a strange and unwanted detour, but it did nothing to diminish Fogerty’s status as a rock legend – or the enduring power of his music.