John Fogerty's former Creedence Clearwater Revival bandmates have spoken out about their recent lawsuit against the rock icon.

The suit was filed by Stu Cook and Doug "Cosmo" Clifford along with John's brother Tom.

In an official statement the three addressed the long standing rumor that they attempted to prevent John from playing his own CCR songs.

"We have never objected to John Fogerty performing any song he ever wrote, or performing any song recorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival. That idea is ridiculous.

Even when he refused to play those songs, and publicly called for a boycott of CCR music, we encouraged him to perform them whenever and wherever he wanted.

The facts are that Mr. Fogerty, while proclaiming joyful rebirth in the press, repeatedly has his lawyers threaten us with lawsuits and demand unreasonable concessions of our rights," they explained.

They added, "Last week, the threats and demands left us with little doubt that a lawsuit would be filed by him against us for the second time.

This unfortunate situation required us to take unpleasant preemptive legal action.

This action is about the need to defend ourselves and rights, Mr. Fogerty's failure to perform contractual promises and unlicensed uses of the trademark 'Creedence Clearwater Revival.'

The trademark is not owned by him, but by the Creedence Clearwater Revival Partnership. We have a business relationship with him and, under prevailing circumstances, chose not to be bullied."