John Mellencamp: Rough Start
Born in 1951, John Mellencamp was forced to overcome spinal bifida at an early age. The trend of adversity coming early would continue when John Mellencamp became a father at 17. After college and a boring career, John Mellencamp set out to find a record deal. Once one was found, John Mellencamp had another struggle on his hands, this time it was his surname.
John Mellencamp: Enter Cougar
To overcome the John Mellencamp name, record executives gave him the stage name “John Cougar.” Under the unwanted stage name, John Mellencamp released cover album Chestnut Street Incident which flopped and led to John Mellencamp’s release from his label. John Mellencamp’s second record the Kid Inside was not released until fame caught up with him later. Third release A Biography was not released in the United States but became somewhat of an international hit with single “I Need a Lover.” The success of “I Need a Lover” led to John Mellencamp’s next album John Cougar being released in the United States. John Cougar went gold and John Mellencamp was officially back in the US. The stage was set for a breakout and it came in the form of Nothin’ Matters and What if it Did. “Ain’t Even Done With the Night” and “This Time” were hit singles and brought the album to platinum status.
John Mellencamp: American Fool
While still under the “John Cougar” name, John Mellencamp released his career-making album American Fool in 1982. Single “Hurts So Good” was a No.1 hit. John Mellencamp’s signature hit was next with “Jack and Diane,” which went No.1 and stayed there for some time. The single crossed John Mellencamp over to soft radio and expanded his audience. “Hand to Hold on To” charted but its importance was in being a setlist classic for John Mellencamp rather than a hit single. “Hurts So Good” won John Mellencamp his first Grammy. American Fool was a smash and went five times platinum. With the newfound fame and selling power, John Mellencamp was able to use his real surname, though “Cougar” was still attached.
John Mellencamp: The ‘80s
The new name did nothing to hamper John Mellencamp’s success. The follow-up to American Fool was 1983’s Un-Huh. “Crumblin’ Down,” “Pink Houses,” and “Authority Song” were all certified hits with “Crumblin’ Down” being the top charting single. Critically it was genuinely considered superior to American Fool and sales reached triple-platinum status.
John Mellencamp released his 1980s opus Scarecrow in 1985. Scarecrow had a shift in John Mellencamp’s lyrics that were more socially aware than earlier works. The focus on the struggles of small town America resonated with Country fans as well as Rock and Pop fans. “Small Town” exemplified this crossover and is still a strongly played song. “R.O.C.K. the USA” was a hit single and a concert sing-along favorite. “Lonely of Night” and “Rain on the Scarecrow” were also radio hits. The hits and critical acclaim pushed Scarecrow to sell 5 million copies.
John Mellencamp kept the socially aware lyrics going with album the Lonesome Jubilee. With more of an acoustic and Country feel, it was a departure from John Mellencamp’s earlier works. “Paper in Fire” and “Cherry Bomb” were Top 10 hits. Even with content that was not necessarily radio friendly, the Lonesome Jubilee was a triple platinum hit. Deep and somewhat dark album Big Daddy was the follow-up and again was a criticism on social issues facing poor Americans. Big Daddy was a platinum hit but John Mellencamp did not tour to support it.
John Mellencamp: Just John
After totally ridding himself of “Cougar,” John Mellencamp released Whenever We Wanted and its hit single “Get a Leg Up” in 1991. Then, John Mellencamp released the album Human Wheels in 1993. Though it did not boast any singles, it drew much critical acclaim and was another sonic departure for John Mellencamp, focusing more on an R&B feel. Album Dance Naked was written intentionally to be radio friendly to mock label executives that thought John Mellencamp’s latest works weren’t accessible enough. “Wild Night” was a smash hit. All of John Mellencamp’s albums of this time went platinum. Even a heart attack couldn’t slow John Mellencamp or his platinum albums. Mr. Happy Go Lucky was released in 1996 and went platinum. Greatest hits album The Best I Could Do 1978-1988 went triple platinum. John Mellencamp released another greatest hits album in 2004, which was also a platinum seller.
John Mellencamp: Present
With millions of albums sold, a Grammy award, and a recent induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, John Mellencamp has put together a great career that began with much adversity. To pile even more awards and records onto this legacy is John Mellencamp’s goal. Recently released albums Freedom’s Road and Life, Death, Love, and Freedom have sold well and garnered acclaim. Single “Our Country” has found a good amount of fame and buzz thanks to its use in commercials. In response to demand and recent album success, John Mellencamp is back to his roots on a 2008 tour with Lucinda Williams opening for John Mellencamp.
John Mellencamp: Greatest Hits
| Event Schedule | |
|---|---|
| Grand Prairie, TX Fri, Jan. 23, 2009 8:00 PM |  |
| Kansas City, MO Mon, Feb. 23, 2009 8:00 PM | |
| Akron, OH Sat, Feb. 28, 2009 8:00 PM | |
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