Fogerty: the Grateful Dead ‘sabotaged our chance in the limelight’ at Woodstock

I like Fogerty, but what’s to be gained from those comments?

Twice, in later years, he was backed by members of the Dead at special performances and he seemed to get on well with them. One of those times, when introducing the band members he added “Genius at work!” for Garcia and seemed to mean it. Why the harsh comments now?

Thing is, the Dead were the first to admit Woodstock was not their finest hour. The GD were a freakin’ powerhouse onstage in 1969 (Check out the Live Dead album, or the Fillmore West shows for proof). Just not at Woodstock.

But they weren’t awful either. The rain (With Weir nearly getting electrocuted) and the tech problems (At least some of which was Owsley’s own doing) caused issues and added futher delays to an already behind schedule festival. The band themselves were not to blame for that.

Also, why wasn’t there any security to get rid of the doofus who kept yelling about a “Third Coast” during “Lovelight”? Dude’s just lucky he didn’t try that during The Who’s set.

CCR brought the goods that night in a way the Dead did not. But they were going on late regardless, and that couldn’t be helped. The late hour didn’t seem to keep Janis, Sly or The Who from wowing the crowd at even later hours.

Fogerty should be reminded that he chose to not be in the film or on the soundtrack, in spite of their kick-a** performance. So who really “sabotaged” things, John?

Besides, CCR was already huge. Going on a little late didn’t seem to hurt their career one bit.

Fogerty is probably just looking to get more press and sell tickets for his current, Woodstock-themed tour. Which, if reviews here are accurate, sounds like a Vegas-made schlock fest.

 

Imagine holding a grudge for 50 years against then 20-somethings who were just playing music at a festival. Damn John.

This kind of stuff makes me sad for anyone who has to deal with this guy daily.