Headlines

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Headlines" by John Fogerty from his 1986 album Eye of the Zombie for all the Zoo Freaks out there. This track, a gritty boogie-rocker, dives into Fogerty’s darker, more socially conscious side, railing against sensationalist media with lines about news reports that “gotta million ways to say/Another crazy day.” Critics at the time, like Rolling Stone, called it a “refried boogie riff posing as a song,” noting Fogerty’s intense delivery as he shrieks about the chaos of news cycles. Despite the lukewarm reception, the song’s raw energy and squealing guitar riffs make it a standout for fans who dig its unpolished vibe. Interestingly, Fogerty himself seemed to distance himself from the album, not performing any of its tracks live until 2009, when he revisited “Change in the Weather” from the same record, suggesting he wasn’t entirely at peace with the Eye of the Zombie era.

In a 2007 interview with Pitchfork, Fogerty reflected on the period after his 1985 comeback album Centerfield, saying the success “opened the door and let out all that anguish” he’d been carrying, which heavily influenced the darker tone of “Headlines” and the album. He was also dealing with legal battles, including a lawsuit from his former label for allegedly plagiarizing his own Creedence Clearwater Revival sound, which added to the album’s tense, paranoid vibe. Fans on platforms like Reddit have since debated the album’s legacy, with some calling “Headlines” a misstep but others appreciating its bold, if messy, attempt to tackle serious topics like media sensationalism. The song’s production, heavy with 80s synths and a pounding rhythm section, was a departure from Fogerty’s swamp-rock roots, which he later admitted was him experimenting with influences from Motown and R&B he’d been listening to at the time.

John Fogerty got his start in music as a teenager in El Cerrito, California, where he was born on May 28, 1945. At 14, he formed The Blue Velvets with his brother Tom and school friends, playing R&B covers inspired by artists like Little Richard and Bo Diddley. Theස

The band, later renamed Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), hit their stride in the late 1960s, with Fogerty as the lead singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter. His knack for crafting timeless hits like “Proud Mary” and “Fortunate Son” blended blues, country, and swamp rock, earning CCR nine top-10 singles and a 1993 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Fogerty’s distinctive voice and evocative lyrics, rooted in American life, made CCR a defining sound of the era. After CCR’s 1972 breakup, Fogerty launched a solo career, facing legal battles with Fantasy Records that paused his output until 1985’s Centerfield. His resilience shone through, and he’s since sold over 100 million records, earning a Grammy and a spot in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Fans can connect with Fogerty’s world through his official website, where you’ll find tour updates and exclusive content. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest news and throwback posts, like one from 2020 celebrating his 50+ songs written for CCR. For deeper fan engagement, check out the Creedence Clearwater Revival/John Fogerty Fan Group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks and others share memories and rare clips. Another gem is Concord’s artist page, detailing his journey, including his 2023 reclamation of his CCR song rights after decades of legal fights.