Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: John Fogerty (Extended)
Date: December 1, 2025
Host: Stephen Colbert
Guest: John Fogerty

Episode Overview

This episode features an insightful and heartfelt conversation between Stephen Colbert and legendary singer-songwriter John Fogerty. The discussion highlights Fogerty’s storied career with Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), the challenges surrounding music ownership, the joy of playing with his family, and reflections on legacy and personal fulfillment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Stardom and The Ed Sullivan Show (02:35 - 04:07)

• John Fogerty recalls CCR’s 1969 debut on The Ed Sullivan Show.
  • Nerves and Youth: Fogerty describes being "kind of scared" and only 23 at the time.

    “Mostly that I was kind of scared. You know, I was young.”
    — John Fogerty (03:30)

  • Ed Sullivan’s Influence: Reminisces on Ed Sullivan’s memorable introducing style and excitement of sharing a stage with artists like the Beatles.
  • On Meeting the Beatles:

    “I met three of the Beatles... George says the band really loved Credence. The band was the Beatles.”
    — John Fogerty (04:11, 05:09)

2. Historic Output and Creative Drive (06:01 - 07:59)

• Colbert lists CCR’s legendary burst of hits in just two years.
  • Dedication to Craft: Fogerty describes sleepless, “manic” nights writing songs, determined to avoid mediocrity.

    “I was up, you know, most of the night writing... I was manic. You know, I wanted to get way up high. I refused to be mediocre.”
    — John Fogerty (06:59)

  • Honest about Past Regret: Discusses feeling like a “sucker” after losing rights to his songs, but says regaining his music was a profound boost to his self-esteem.
  • Credit to his Wife:

    “...it was my wife Julie that made this happen. She’s the most...”
    — John Fogerty (08:03)

3. Music Ownership & Self-Esteem (06:01 - 08:03)

• Fogerty emphasizes how regaining his music catalog changed his outlook.
  • Personal Impact: Ownership restored his pride and self-respect.
  • The Role of Family: He credits Julie, his wife, for helping recover both the music and a significant guitar from his early career.

4. The Story of “Acme” – The Legendary Guitar (08:10 - 10:50)

• Recounting the Journey of His Custom Rickenbacker Guitar:
  • Customization & Influence: Fogerty customized his Rickenbacker with a Gibson Les Paul humbucker after being inspired by “Jimmy, Jeff, and Eric” (Page, Beck, Clapton).

    “Usually, I have to say ‘Go ask your grandpa.’ That’s Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton.”
    — John Fogerty (08:32)

  • Loss and Reunion:
    • After CCR split, John gave the guitar to a young fan, hoping to leave the past behind.
    • His wife Julie hunted for and retrieved it 44 years later, gifting it to him for Christmas.

    “She finally found it in Ohio and she got it home, put it under the Christmas tree, and that’s how I got it back.”
    — John Fogerty (10:39)

5. Family, Performance, and Legacy (11:01 - 12:39)

• On Performing with His Sons:

  • Sings a medley from the new album, “Legacy,” joined by sons Shane and Tyler.
  • Learning From Each Other:

    “Sometimes I’d actually have to learn because it had happened after my career, if you follow...”
    — John Fogerty (11:08)

  • Family as Foundation: His wife and sons are central performers and supporters in his life.

• Reflections on Legacy:

  • Fogerty hopes to be remembered foremost as a dedicated family man, father, and husband.

  “I want to be remembered as a good family man. I want to be remembered... I hope I’m a great dad and husband. That’s very important to me... I feel like I’m the luckiest man in the entire world.”
  — John Fogerty (11:58, 12:36)

Notable Quotes

• On Meeting George Harrison:

  “The band really loved Credence. The band was the Beatles.”
  — John Fogerty (05:09)

• On Creating Music:

  “I was up, you know, most of the night writing... I wanted to get way up high. I refused to be mediocre.”
  — John Fogerty (06:59)

• On Losing and Reclaiming His Catalog:

  “For years and years, I just felt kind of like a SAP, a sucker. The guy that had given away the farm, you might say... So getting them back, it was just like an instant esteem booster.”
  — John Fogerty (07:40)

• On His Guitar, “Acme”:

  “She finally found it in Ohio...put it under the Christmas tree, and that’s how I got it back.”
  — John Fogerty (10:39)

• On Legacy and Family:

  “I want to be remembered as a good family man...I feel like I’m the luckiest man in the entire world.”
  — John Fogerty (11:58, 12:36)

Important Timestamps

• 02:35-04:07: CCR’s Ed Sullivan Show debut stories, early fame
• 04:11-05:09: Fogerty’s meetings with the Beatles, George Harrison’s praise
• 06:01-08:03: Writing hits, loss and recovery of music rights, impact on self-esteem
• 08:10-10:50: The origin and return of the Acme guitar
• 11:01-12:39: Performing with sons, reflections on legacy and family

Tone & Style

• Nostalgic and Humble: Fogerty is open about the ups and downs, conveying gratitude and humility.
• Warm and Playful: The chemistry between Colbert and Fogerty is marked by humor and respect.
• Heartfelt: Family, perseverance, and legacy feature at the emotional core of the episode.

Summary

This episode delivers a rich, behind-the-scenes look at one of rock’s most enduring songwriters. From star-struck beginnings and creative fireballs, to decades-long battles and redemptions, and finally to reconciling with what matters most—family and legacy—John Fogerty’s journey is candidly chronicled. Listeners are treated to an affectionate conversation filled with memorable anecdotes, sincere moments, and life lessons from an American musical icon.