Hot Rod Heart

Zoo Freaks, get ready to cruise down the open road with the Zoo Crew spinning John Fogerty’s “Hot Rod Heart” from his 1997 album Blue Moon Swamp! This rockin’ track, the second on the album, captures the thrill of ridin’ with the top down, radio blaring, and wheels on fire. In an interview with Michael Goldberg just before the album’s release, Fogerty shared that he’d been tinkering with the song’s title for eight or nine years, finally nailing it by jamming chord progressions in his music room. He described the process as shaking the song around with guitar riffs until it roared to life. That dedication paid off, as Blue Moon Swamp snagged Best Rock Album at the 40th Grammy Awards in 1998.

Here’s a cool tidbit for you Zoo Freaks: “Hot Rod Heart” got a fresh spin in 2013 when Fogerty teamed up with country star Brad Paisley for a remake on the collaboration album Wrote a Song for Everyone. Paisley pitched the idea of a “guitar shoot-out on Main Street,” and the result was a revved-up version that Fogerty later incorporated into his live shows, tweaking the arrangement to match the remake’s vibe. Drummer Kenny Aronoff laid down the beat for this track during the 1995 Blue Moon Swamp sessions, one of five songs he contributed to on the album. Fans on Genius can’t get enough, with one picturing themselves driving a big car under the moonlight with good-looking gals, the guitar solos syncing with curvy roads. Another called it the ultimate car song, just edging out “Hot Rod Lincoln” for classic rock ‘n’ roll glory.

The Zoo Crew knows “Hot Rod Heart” is a staple at Fogerty’s concerts, hitting the setlist during the 1997 Blue Moon Swamp World Tour, starting at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Fogerty even rocked it on Swedish TV at the Lollipop Festival that summer. In 2020, he brought the song to life again with his kids—Shane, Tyler, and Kelsy, aka Fogerty’s Factory—for a performance video posted on YouTube. Filmed on a deserted road with a Dodge Charger sporting a “CCR 69” license plate screeching by, the clip captured the song’s cruising spirit, vintage cars parked behind the family band. Fogerty’s Facebook hyped it, inviting fans to jump in their hot rods and crank the tunes.

Now, let’s rewind to how John Fogerty got his start, Zoo Freaks. Born May 28, 1945, in Berkeley, California, Fogerty’s love for music sparked early, influenced by rock ‘n’ roll and rhythm and blues. In the late 1950s, as a teenager, he formed a band with his brother Tom, Doug Clifford, and Stu Cook, initially called the Blue Velvets. By 1964, they became the Golliwogs, gigging around the Bay Area and cutting a few singles. Their big break came when they signed with Fantasy Records, renamed themselves Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), and dropped their self-titled debut in 1968. With John as lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter, CCR churned out swamp rock hits like “Proud Mary” and “Bad Moon Rising,” landing nine top-10 singles and eight gold albums by 1972. After CCR split, Fogerty went solo, releasing The Blue Ridge Rangers in 1973 and his first proper solo album, John Fogerty, in 1975. Despite legal battles with Fantasy Records, he kept rocking, earning a spot on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Songwriters (#40) and Singers (#72).

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Fogerty on his official website, where you’ll find tour dates and merch. Connect with him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest news and throwback posts, like one from 2020 boasting his 50+ songs written for CCR and their Woodstock signing. For fan vibes, check out the Creedence Online fan site, packed with discographies and forums, or join the John Fogerty/CCR Fan Group on Facebook, where fans share concert pics and memories. Keep those hot rods rollin’, Zoo Freaks!