John Fogerty Live – A Rock Legend in Full Form
What could be better than listening to CCR and John Fogerty albums? I’ll tell you: seeing Fogerty perform live. The legend absolutely lives up to his name — no ifs, no buts.
The show was advertised as a Stampede Corral concert, but it ended up being held in the Saddledome. For some reason, the internet still insists it took place at the Corral, but the truth is, we were in the Dome that night.
The concert kicked off without an opening act, and the sound was phenomenal from one end of the arena to the other. Fogerty had an amazing night — his performance was timeless, powerful, and packed with energy. His legendary status, unmistakable voice, and signature guitar tone filled the hall as he moved seamlessly between classic CCR hits and newer material.
When Fogerty takes the stage, he radiates confidence and passion. Decades of live experience shine through every song, yet he remains grounded and genuine. There’s not a single filler track in a Fogerty concert; even with a long setlist, he couldn’t fit in all his hits.
The songs came one after another: Rockin’ All Over the World, Bad Moon Rising, Green River, Who’ll Stop the Rain, Lookin’ Out My Back Door, Cotton Fields, Change In the Weather, Ramble Tamble, Midnight Special, Don’t You Wish It Was True, When I’m Sixty-Four, Joy Of My Life, Workin’ On a Building, Keep On Chooglin’, I Put a Spell On You, Have You Ever Seen the Rain, Hot Rod Heart, Born On the Bayou, Big Train (From Memphis), Somebody Help Me, Rock And Roll Girls, Down On the Corner, Centerfield, Old Man Down the Road, Fortunate Son, Hey Tonight, and Proud Mary.
Fogerty’s touring band — with the powerhouse Kenny Aronoff on drums — kept things tight from the first minute to the last chord. At 64, Fogerty played with the energy of someone half his age, delivering his A-game on every song. He switched guitars almost every number, and yes, Centerfield was performed on his famous baseball bat-shaped guitar.
A fun touch: the set included When I’m Sixty-Four by Paul McCartney — a fitting nod, since Fogerty himself was 64 at the time (2009).
Few artists can make their music sound this clean and balanced in a hockey arena. It was loud enough to feel like a true rock concert, but just below the tinnitus threshold. And notably, the usual haze of secondhand pot smoke was absent — a welcome change.
The concert ended, but my respect for John Fogerty’s music lives on forever.
