60s Rock ’n’ Roll Legend Behind Some of the Greatest Songs of All Time Finally Reaches No. 1 50 Years Later
John Fogerty, the singer, guitarist and principal songwriter behind Creedence Clearwater Revival, helped create some of the most enduring songs in rock history, but surprisingly none of CCR’s records ever reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Instead, the band repeatedly came close, landing a string of major hits that peaked at No. 2, including “Proud Mary,” “Bad Moon Rising,” “Lookin’ Out My Back Door/Long As I Can See the Light,” “Green River,” and “Travelin’ Band/Who’ll Stop the Rain.” Other CCR songs also made strong showings on the chart, such as “Down On the Corner/Fortunate Son,” which reached No. 3, and “Up Around the Bend/Run Through the Jungle,” which climbed to No. 4.
Although the group never scored a Hot 100 No. 1, one of its most beloved songs finally reached the top of a Billboard ranking decades later. In 2021, the 1971 classic “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” hit No. 1 on the Rock Digital Song Sales chart, where it stayed for two straight weeks. That achievement marked the first time a CCR song had reached a No. 1 position on any Billboard chart, even if it was not the Hot 100.
Fogerty’s legacy extends far beyond chart positions. CCR’s catalog has remained a fixture of classic rock radio and streaming services for generations, and the songs continue to resonate with listeners long after their original release. In fact, “Fortunate Son” was named the most-streamed song from the 1960s in 2025, underscoring the lasting popularity of Fogerty’s songwriting. The band’s influence has also been recognized by critics and publications. Rolling Stone included “Proud Mary” and “Fortunate Son” on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, ranking them at No. 152 and No. 227, respectively. The magazine also placed Creedence Clearwater Revival at No. 82 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists.
Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Billboard Hot 100 history shows just how dominant the group was, even without a No. 1 single. Along with the songs already mentioned, CCR also charted with “Sweet Hitch-Hiker” at No. 6, “Have You Ever Seen the Rain/Hey Tonight” at No. 8, “Suzie Q. (Part One)” at No. 11, “Fortunate Son” at No. 14, “Someday Never Comes” at No. 25, “Commotion” at No. 30, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” at No. 43, “Lodi” at No. 52, and “I Put A Spell On You” at No. 58.
Even without a Hot 100 chart-topper, Fogerty and CCR left an enormous mark on rock music. Their songs remain among the most recognizable and influential recordings of the era, proving that lasting cultural impact can matter more than a No. 1 ranking.
