John Fogerty, who plays Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, Florida on March 9, 2025. Credit: Tracy May

Anyone who went to last Sunday night's John Fogerty show at the Straz Center expecting a tame, laid back, sedate Sunday evening performance must have been disappointed by what they got. But for the vast majority of the 1,646 in attendance who stood, danced and sang along, Fogerty's high energy rock n' roll party delivered exactly what they came for.

Before the show began, a large screen at the back of the stage flashed old photos from Fogerty's childhood through his days with 1960's powerhouse group Creedence Clearwater Revival. Factoids and statistics accompanied the photos and made for a fun pre-show diversion. [Text by Gabe, photos by Tracy.]

With no opening act on the bill, Fogerty and his four-piece backing band came storming out of the gate ready to go, and got off to a rousing start with a raucous version of an all-time best Creedence-era rocker, "Travelin' Band," Fogerty standing at the rear of the stage amid a swarm of frantic strobe lights and exploding pyrotechnics that made it clear this wasn't going to be your dear dad's oldies review. Fogerty was ready to rock in his typical uniform of flannel shirt and blue jeans, and proceeded to treat his fans to a night full of hits on the Tampa stop of his current Wrote A Song For Everyone tour.

As he greeted us, Fogerty announced he'd be performing CCR's entire 1970 album and No. 1 charter, Cosmo's Factory, in its entirety, which was met with a roar of applause and cheers.

Undoubtedly one of the loudest shows ever held at the Straz was also one of the most entertaining and energetic. The 68-year-old Fogerty strutted, ran and jumped around the stage like a man possessed. His recognizable snarling vocal and trademark swamp rock sound haven't lost an iota of swagger. His voice is unchanged and his spirit undaunted and the man kept the party going for the entire duration of the two hour-plus show.

Despite the volume level, the mix didn't suffer at all. All instruments and vocals were clear and easy to decipher. And as fans sang along to all the great classic CCR tunes, Fogerty seemed to gain more stamina as the night wore on.

Fogerty told an amusing tale about Creedence's big break — getting a prime slot at 1969's Woodstock festival only to be thwarted by having to follow a marathon set by the Grateful Dead. Then he immediately launched into the CCR classic "Who'll Stop The Rain," which was inspired by the band's participation at the seminal fest.

Fogerty also re-visited his solo string of hits as well as tackling some brand new material that went over quite well with the crowd. He broke out his baseball bat shaped guitar for his tribute to the national pastime, "Centerfield," and a loud ovation followed when the band delivered a spirited cover of Roy Orbison's classic "Oh, Pretty Woman," which took the already revved up crowd to a higher level of excitement.

Flashy lights, an elaborate stage and fancy effects did nothing to take away from Fogerty's agenda of straightforward rock 'n roll music. A true pioneer and the leader of one of the greatest rock bands in history, John Fogerty proved to an adoring, near sell-out crowd on Sunday night that he's still very much in the business of entertaining and that he's not ready to hang up his rock 'n roll shoes just yet.

Set List
Travelin' Band
Ooby Dooby
Ramble Tamble
Lookin' Out My Back Door
Run Through the Jungle
Up Around the Bend
Before You Accuse Me
My Baby Left Me
Who'll Stop the Rain
I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Long as I Can See the Light
Centerfield
Green River
Susie Q
Mystic Highway
Hot Rod Heart
Train of Fools
Born on the Bayou
Almost Saturday Night
Keep On Chooglin'
Midnight Special
Have You Ever Seen the Rain?
Oh, Pretty Woman
Down on the Corner
Rock and Roll Girls
The Old Man Down the Road
Fortunate Son