Creedence Clearwater Revival founder John Fogerty’s shock dumping from the line-up of an Australian music festival was due to failed negotiations with his management, event organisers claim.
Country Fest Queensland has hit back after the rock legend said he felt “blindsided” by the decision to cut him from the line-up of the March 31 festival in Bloomsbury, north of Mackay.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Organisers hit back at rock legend over ‘blindside’ claims.
Stream local 7NEWS free on 7plus 
It’s also been revealed the spat is going to one of the state’s highest courts.
“I was ready to celebrate with you all for my one and only show this year in Australia when the Country Fest Queensland blindsided me yesterday by cancelling my appearance,” Fogerty posted on Facebook this week.
“It was posted that I would not be appearing due to unforeseen circumstances.
“Well, I can tell you, my friends, I was ready to come down there and excited to celebrate getting my songs back with all of you.”
The festival’s decision disappointed ticket-holders, who took to social media to say seeing the Fortunate Son singer live was the main reason for their planned attendance.
Country Fest Queensland said in an original statement announcing Fogerty’s dumping that “unforeseen circumstances” were behind the development.
In a new message to attendees, organisers revealed months of negotiations with the performer’s “team” failed to reach an agreement.
“Negotiations with John Fogerty’s team had been in place for a number of months,” the statement read.
“Those negotiations were well advanced and were seeking to be progressed by us with best endeavours, however, those negotiations did not reach a final outcome, resulting in negotiations ceasing on Friday, 23rd February 2024.”
Organisers said the matter was now subject to legal proceedings in the Queensland Supreme Court, to be mentioned for the first time in mid-March. 7NEWS.com.au has been unable to find a record of case filings at this time.
“Until such time as the proceedings are dealt with, we do not intend to comment further,” the statement read.
California-based Fogerty also posted a video to social media with a message to “my Australian fans” that “it’s a big disappointment to me, what is going on right now”.
“A shock actually, because I was really looking forward to and planning on playing this concert up in Queensland,”
“And I’m really sorry for the fans that had looked forward to it and planned on it. Me too.
“I don’t know what to say. Sometimes things get complicated beyond my grasp anyway.”
