BBC News: The Creedence Clearance Revival announces tour and new album that will be released on the….

BBC News: The Creedence Clearance Revival announces tour and new album that will be released on the….

 

 

 

BBC News: Creedence Clearwater Revival Announces New Album and World Tour After Decades-Long Hiatus

29 July 2025 | By BBC Music Correspondent

In a move that has sent ripples of excitement through the global music community, legendary American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) has announced a brand new studio album—their first in over 50 years—alongside a world tour set to launch in early 2026.

The iconic band, known for its swampy Southern rock sound and timeless hits such as “Bad Moon Rising,” “Fortunate Son,” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” made the announcement via a live-streamed press conference from Los Angeles on Tuesday morning. The group revealed that the new album, titled “River Returns,” will be released on 28 November 2025, with the first single dropping worldwide in mid-September.

 

A Reunion Once Thought Impossible

Once fractured by internal conflicts and long-standing legal disputes, the original members of CCR—John Fogerty, Doug Clifford, and Stu Cook—have shockingly reunited for this monumental project. The band, which had been inactive since the early 1970s, has gradually warmed to each other in recent years, attending events and appearing in documentaries but never formally working together.

In today’s press event, lead vocalist and guitarist John Fogerty said, “Time has a way of healing things. This record is about reconciliation, remembering where we came from, and giving something real back to our fans.”

Drummer Doug Clifford, who had retired in 2019 due to health concerns, described the studio sessions as “electric, like we never left.” Bassist Stu Cook added, “There were decades we didn’t speak. But when we picked up the instruments again, the sound was still there. That magic never really goes away.”

“River Returns” — A Nod to Their Roots

According to the group, River Returns features 12 brand new songs, all written collaboratively—a first for the band. The album is being produced in Nashville, Tennessee, with mixing by renowned engineer Dave Cobb, who has worked with artists such as Chris Stapleton and Brandi Carlile.

Fans can expect the return of CCR’s gritty, bluesy guitar riffs, politically tinged lyrics, and swamp-rock grooves that defined the band’s late ’60s and early ’70s heyday.

While no full track list has been released, Fogerty teased a few song titles, including “Back in the Bayou,” “Long Road Home,” and “Marching in Mud.” He hinted that some songs deal with “personal redemption” while others “don’t shy away from what’s happening in the world today.”

The Tour: A Global Celebration

Along with the album, CCR announced a massive 40-city global tour beginning in March 2026, with stops across North America, Europe, South America, and Australia. The tour, dubbed the “Born on the River” Tour, will feature a mix of old classics and new material.

The band will perform with a supporting ensemble that includes Fogerty’s sons, Shane and Tyler, both of whom have previously toured with him on solo ventures. This combination of family and legacy, the band says, will ensure that their live performances stay true to the original spirit of CCR while passing the torch to the next generation.

The first tour date is scheduled for 3 March 2026 at the New Orleans Smoothie King Center, a city long associated with the band’s musical roots. Tickets go on sale 15 September 2025.

 

Cultural Impact Still Resonates

Formed in El Cerrito, California, in the late 1960s, Creedence Clearwater Revival became one of the most influential American rock bands of all time. Despite breaking up in 1972 after only five years of major success, their music has lived on in film, television, and politics. Their anti-war anthem “Fortunate Son” remains an enduring protest song, and their southern-styled rock—despite being from California—cemented their place in American music history.

Music critic Laura Allen of Rolling Stone commented, “A CCR reunion was thought to be a fantasy. That we’re getting a full album and a world tour? That’s historic. It’s like getting the Beatles back.”

Fan Reaction: Shock and Celebration

News of the reunion quickly went viral, trending worldwide on social media under the hashtag #CCRReturns. Fans expressed shock, joy, and deep emotion at the thought of hearing new music from a band that defined a generation.

One user posted: “Creedence Clearwater Revival is back?? I never thought I’d live to see this day.”

Others noted how the band’s political messages feel just as relevant today as they did in the 1970s. “We need their voice now more than ever,” wrote one fan.

Legacy Reimagined

When asked whether River Returns marks the beginning of a new chapter or a final farewell, Fogerty smiled and said, “We’re not making promises we can’t keep. We’re doing this because it feels right. If more comes after, great. But for now, this album is our thank-you to the fans who never stopped believing.”

As anticipation builds for the album’s release and the tour that will follow, one thing is clear: Creedence Clearwater Revival’s river of music still runs deep—and now, it’s flowing again.