Three members of Creedence Clearwater revival were born in 1945 and attended the Portola Junior High School in El Cerrito at the same time: singer/songwriter and lead guitarist John Fogerty, drummer Doug Clifford, and bassist Stu Cook.
Clifford first heard Fogerty playing piano in the music room of Portola (Mrs. Clark's music room, #508). Clifford recognized the Fats Domino and Little Richard tunes, and started a conversation with Fogerty. Fogerty said that he preferred to play guitar, and Clifford mentioned that he was a drummer. He also stated that his friend, Stu Cook, played piano and had a rumpus room they could use to practice.
According to Clifford, “I said this without having first talked with Stu or his dad. But I was wheeling and dealing back then."
The trio became a honky-tonk instrumental group called the Blue Velvets, and they played their first gig at a sock hop in the school's gym.
Note: now Fred T. Korematsu Middle School
