Net Worth Ranker
What Is Doug Clifford’s Net Worth?
Doug Clifford, the American rock drummer best known as a founding member of Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), has an estimated net worth of $40 million. This wealth is accumulated through his music career, including album sales, royalties, and live performances. He was born Douglas Raymond Clifford in Palo Alto, California, on April 24, 1945. In 1993, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Douglas Raymond “Cosmo” Clifford was born on April 24, 1945, in Palo Alto, California. He spent his childhood in El Cerrito, California, where he grew up alongside future CCR bandmates Stu Cook and the Fogerty brothers, John and Tom. Clifford attended San Jose State University with Stu Cook. An early influence on Clifford’s musical aspirations was The Beatles’ appearance on *The Ed Sullivan Show* in February 1964. This inspired him and his friends to form a band.
Clifford’s professional career began in 1967 with the formation of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Before achieving mainstream success, Clifford, along with Cook and the Fogerty brothers, performed together under various names since 1959. In 1968, Creedence Clearwater Revival released their debut album, which earned the band their first gold record with sales exceeding $1 million.
Creedence Clearwater Revival: Success and Achievements
Creedence Clearwater Revival achieved significant commercial success between 1968 and 1972. The band released seven studio albums during this period: *Creedence Clearwater Revival*, *Bayou Country*, *Green River*, *Willy and the Poor Boys*, *Cosmo’s Factory*, *Pendulum*, and *Mardi Gras*. Collectively, CCR sold over 50 million albums worldwide. In the U.S. alone, they sold 30 million LPs.
Their second album, *Bayou Country*, released in January 1969, sold over one million copies, earning CCR their first platinum record award. The album featured the hit single “Proud Mary/Born on the Bayou,” which also became a gold single. That same year, CCR released three Top Ten albums: *Bayou Country*, *Green River*, and *Willy and the Poor Boys*, accompanied by four hit singles and three charting B-sides. By 1970, CCR was recognized as a top international pop group, earning accolades in the United States, England, Canada, Germany, France, Switzerland, Norway, and Israel.
The album *Cosmo’s Factory*, released in July 1970, sold over three million copies and was certified 4x Platinum. *Chronicle: 20 Greatest Hits*, released in 1976, was certified Diamond by the RIAA, marking 10 million in album sales, plus album-equivalent streams and track sales. It was included in the esteemed company of Michael Jackson’s *Thriller*, Guns N’ Roses *Appetite for Destruction*, and The Beatles’ *Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band*. CCR’s popularity is so great, they continue to sell 2 million CDs and tapes a year.
Solo Work and Later Projects
After Creedence Clearwater Revival disbanded in 1972, Doug Clifford released his solo album, *Cosmo*. The album, originally released in 1972, features elements of country and R&B and includes eight original compositions, along with covers of tracks from the Spencer Davis Group (“I’m a Man”), John Sebastian’s “Daydream,” and Doug Sahm’s “She’s About a Mover.” CCR’s bassist Stu Cook plays rhythm guitar on the album.
In 1995, Clifford and Stu Cook formed Creedence Clearwater Revisited, performing live versions of Creedence Clearwater Revival songs. They called it Creedence Clearwater Revisited, which is exactly what they do. They revisit the music of Creedence. The name is also a description of what they do. If they were trying to fool the public, they would’ve had the right to call it Creedence Clearwater Revival.
In 2020, Clifford released *Magic Window*, a previously unreleased solo album of lost compositions. The album was recorded in 1985 at Clifford’s Lake Tahoe home with the help of engineer/guitarist Russell DaShiell, bassist Chris Solberg, and rhythm guitarist Rob Polomsky. The album includes three songs written solely by Clifford at the piano.
Income Sources and Assets
Doug Clifford’s $40 million net worth primarily stems from his successful music career. With Creedence Clearwater Revival selling over 50 million albums worldwide, Clifford has earned significant income through royalties and record sales. In 1968, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s first album, *Creedence Clearwater Revival*, released, earns CCR first gold record with sales in excess of $1 million.
Although specific details regarding real estate holdings, investments, and other assets are not publicly available, these likely contribute to his overall net worth. There is a Douglas Clifford Personal Real Estate Corporation. Also, Doug Clifford is still passionate about all things related to Real Estate and enjoys working with his clients to achieve their Real Estate goals.
Touring with Creedence Clearwater Revisited added to his income. Back in 1996, they had as many as 25,000 people to their show. For hard tickets, Clifford said they had been playing anywhere from 2,500 to 7,000 seaters. By 1970, Creedence was the top-selling rock band in the world, coming off seven consecutive Top 10 hits.
Personal Life
Doug Clifford was born on April 24, 1945, roughly 3 hours before and thirty miles away from where band mate Stu Cook was born. They spent many a birthday together he says. Doug’s father was a machinist and his mother sold cosmetics at the local Emporium. Doug married Laurie Clifford in 1968; however, they later divorced.
