What CCR Song Was Based on a Michigan Incident?

It was the 1966 UFO sighting in Dexter, Michigan that was partly responsible for one of Creedence Clearwater Revival's songs.

The song in question was titled “It Came Out Of The Sky” written by John Fogerty and was a track on CCR's 1969 album, Willy & The Poor Boys.

The Dexter UFO sighting was also the one that spurred the somewhat laughable “it's only swamp gas” theory.

Back in 1966, truck driver Frank Mannor was driving through Dexter when he saw a pyramid-like UFO fly over a farm and land in a swamp. The town organized a search party and even the local cops got involved...... and some reported to actually see some flashing bright lights.

So what happened?

Congressman (& future president Gerald Ford) called for an investigation and another congressman, Weston Vivian, coaxed the U.S. Air Force to send out an expert: in this case, Dr. J. Allen Hynek. He came to Dexter to investigate this latest alien phantasm. In what would become a huge joke in later years, Hynek claimed what the fine folks of Dexter were seeing was none other than burning swamp gas.

Did anyone believe his conclusion? Not many.

Neighbors, family, and police officers all saw this object and knew it wasn't something as ludicrous as 'swamp gas'.

In Fogerty's song, he embellishes the story but acknowledges the Michigan farm and the ridiculous 'swamp gas' theory in the lyrics:
“Jody fell out of his tractor, couldn’t believe what he seen;
Laid on the ground and shook, fearin’ for his life;
Then he ran all the way to town screamin’ it came out of the sky;
Well, a crowd gathered ’round and a scientist said it was marsh gas.....”

The song was the second track on the album, among other CCR favorites: “Down On The Corner”, “Fortunate Son”, and “Midnight Special”.

Take a look at some old 1966 newsreel photos below (sorry about the quality).
It's just another little piece of Michigan history to add to your collection!