Live Report: John Fogerty plays Creedence Clearwater Revival songbook at Dublin's 3Arena.

Going to see a true rock and roll legend in concert you hope, and somewhat expect that they'll play all the hit songs that have kept them filling out arena tours for the past 50 years. You also hope that they'll still enjoy playing those songs as much as you love hearing them – which, understandably, doesn't always happen. But having lost the rights to the songs he wrote and enduring a lifetime of bitter legal disputes, John Fogerty couldn't be more grateful.

"I'm just so happy I got my songs back," he says to his Dublin audience.

In January of this year, Fogerty the songwriter, lead singer, lead guitarist and producer of Creedence Clearwater Revival, finally acquired a majority interest in the worldwide publishing rights to his song catalog from Concord. For years, the copyrights to his songs were the property of Saul Zaentz, the owner of Fantasy Records, who sold the label and its publishing portfolio to the former Concord Music Group in 1995. Fogerty, who extricated himself from Fantasy in 1974, re-signed with the label upon its purchase by Concord. Even so, he was not able to gain ownership of his songs – until this year.

Creedence Clearwater Revival. Credit: Baron Wolman.

Speaking to NBC's Anne Thompson earlier this month he said "I think there's an extra level of pride in my soul. There's no restraint. There's no locked door anymore on my heart."

Here tonight in Dublin, that inner peace is written all over his face. Fogerty launches into the iconic opening riff of 'Green River' with the gusto of a man half his age. Flanked by his two young sons Tyler and Shane and the rest of his band, Fogerty plays lead guitar on every lick of tonight's setlist. At 77, Fogerty's energy and passion is something to behold. From 'Bad Moon Rising' to 'Who'll Stop the Rain' the California native delights the audience with timeless rock anthems. For the iconic 'Run Through The Jungle' Fogerty treats us to a spine tingling harmonica solo. 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain' is a real highlight. His distinctive tenor voice is as clear and electrifying as it was when he recorded the song back in 1970.

Throughout the night Fogerty shares some great stories with the audience. He brings out a recent Christmas present – his guitar that he played when headlining Woodstock. Having kindly gifted it to a kid back in 1969, his wife tracked it down 44 years later and surprised him with it. With a montage of candid family photos playing above him, Fogerty dedicates his 1997 solo track 'Joy of My Life' to his wife of 32 years, Julie. He tells us how the last time they were in Ireland, Julie suggested he should do ancestry DNA testing. With a name like Fogerty, the chances of Irish roots were high.

"Turns out I'm 44% Irish" he says, proudly. "But tonight, I'm 100%."

He is full of warmth and charisma and the crowd is loving every minute of his performance. Given Fogerty quit music from 1975-1985, and refused to perform CCR songs for over 30 years, tonight is a real celebration of him and his music. His rendition of the anti-war movement, era-defining 1969 hit 'Fortunate Son' is a showstopper. Released during one of the worst years of the Vietnam War, a montage of anti-war movement footage is fittingly displayed above the band. Its message is as powerful today as it was 50 years ago – the ultimate protest song.

Vietnam War protest in Washington D.C.

For the encore Fogerty and his band return to the stage with party hats and a bottle of Moet. He thanks his wife for all her work in getting the rights back to his CCR songs.
Fogerty then exclaims, "I outlived those sons of bitches and I got my songs back!"

His impassioned statement is met by deafening applause from his Irish audience. He pours a glass of champagne and toasts his fans – "Here's to you. Thank you for loving these songs all these years."

He ends the show with two songs that became major hits for other artists – 'Rockin' All Over the World' and 'Proud Mary.' The latter became a mega hit for Ike & Tina Turner and became one of Tina Turner's signature songs. Fogerty wrote the song in 1968 following his honourable discharge from the US Army. He did cartwheels on his front lawn then went inside and wrote 'Proud Mary'. Written in 1975 for Fogerty's second solo album, Status Quo recorded a heavier arrangement of the song for their 1977 album Rockin' All Over the World. The only negative comment I can make about the night is that he didn't play 'Wrote A Song for Everyone' but when you have that many hit records it's hard to fit them all in.

Fogerty delivers a deeply personal and energetic concert, full of blazing versions of his CCR songs. He may not have been born on the bayou but he is a giant of Southern rock and the great American songwriter. Cheers to you, John.