Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty issued a statement in defense of his fellow musician Bruce Springsteen’s decision to perform his anti-war anthem “Fortunate Son” for U.S. military members at the Valor Concert earlier this week.
In a written statement, via Rolling Stone, Fogerty explained that he wrote the song more than 45-years-ago, at a time when an “ultraconservative administration” called anyone who questioned their policies “un-American.”
He wrote:
That same administration shamefully ignored and mistreated the soldiers returning from Vietnam. As a man who was drafted and served his country during those times, I have ultimate respect for the men and women who protect us today and demand that they receive the respect that they deserve.
As an American and a songwriter, I am proud that the song still has resonance. I do believe that its meaning gets misinterpreted and even usurped by various factions wishing to make their own case. What a great country we have that a song like this can be performed in a setting like Concert for Valor.
President Obama was unable to attend the Veteran’s Day concert on Tuesday due to a scheduling conflict, as he was on a trip to China. He did salute the troops via a pre-recorded video tape.
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