John Fogerty Responds to Death of Creedence Label Owner Saul Zaentz With Stinging Video
Saul Zaentz, the Fantasy Records label owner famous for suing Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty for self-plagiarism, has died at the age of 92. Fogerty's public response to this news makes it clear he has still not forgiven his former nemesis, even in death.
Creedence Clearwater Revival was one of the first bands Zaentz signed to Fantasy Records after purchasing the formerly jazz-focused imprint in 1967. Fogerty came to see the deal's terms as unfair and onerous, and struggled hard for years to free himself from the contract following the breakup of CCR.
Zaentz and Fantasy later sued Fogerty, alleging that his 1985 solo hit 'The Old Man Down the Road' was essentially the same as his 1970 Creedence song 'Run Through the Jungle' -- which Zaentz owned. In court, Fogerty played the two songs on guitar right on the witness stand and won the case. He also later successfully sued Zaentz for legal fees related to the the initial case.
But the two weren't done trading barbs or lawsuits. Sitting alongside 'The Old Man Down the Road' on Forgerty's 1985 comeback album 'Centerfield' were two songs attacking Zaentz -- 'Mr. Greed' and 'Zanz Can't Dance,' which featured the line "Zanz can't dance but he'll steal your money." Zaentz sued Fogerty for defamation, and the singer was forced to change the name of the song to 'Vanz Can't Dance.'
Based on Facebook and Twitter posts on his official pages following the news of Zaentz's death last night, Fogerty is hardly in a forgiving mood. Instead, he simply posted a link to the official 'Vanz Can't Dance' video, complete with animated dancing pigs.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Zaentz died at his home in San Francisco of complications related to Alzheimer's. He had followed up his music career by becoming a highly successful movie producer, winning Oscars for 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,' 'Amadeus' and 'The Engilsh Patient.'