1 on Top Rock Albums With 'Other People's Stuff, "JOHN MELLENCAMP ANNOUNCES 'OTHER PEOPLE'S STUFF' LP, 2019 TOUR", "John Mellencamp's 'Jack & Diane'-Inspired Musical Has a Director, Choreographer", "9 Memorable Moments From Clive Davis' Grammy Museum Benefit With Elton John, H.E.R. "I had planned to have the record out now but I haven't finished. Mellencamp played for over two hours and included 24 songs in his setlist on the tour. 1:07. 21) and "Rumble Seat" (No. [57], Mellencamp's musical style has been described as rock,[55][58] heartland rock,[59] roots rock,[55][60] and folk rock. [3], Mellencamp was born in Seymour, Indiana, on October 7, 1951. Ghost Brothers of Darkland County received mixed reviews upon its initial run in Atlanta. They depict existential scenes and human beings ridden with the angst of the everyday. John Mellencamp Featured Artists in this playlist Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band Tom Petty Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Steve Miller Band Bad Company Jackson Browne Bruce Springsteen View All Photo: Photo: Janet Macoska for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame We'll try to write songs that sound like those songs, but they'll be new.' Farm Aid concerts have remained an annual event over the past 37 years, and as of 2022[update] the organization has raised over $60million. "[76], The Alliance Theatre described the show as a "Southern Gothic musical fraught with mystery, tragedy and ghosts of the past.". Submit Corrections . You can't be 22 years old and had two dates and understand that album. 2), "Rain on the Scarecrow" (No. Maybe one of the reasons John Gunnell (a.k.a. Hell, as long as you sell a few records and the record company isn't putting a lot of money into promotion, you're making money for 'em and that's all they care about. John Cougar Mellencamp AKA John Mellencamp Born: 7-Oct - 1951 Birthplace: Seymour, IN Gender: Male Race or Ethnicity: White Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Singer/Songwriter Party Affiliation: Democratic Nationality: United States Executive summary: Jack and Diane [83], In August 2020, Mellencamp released "A Pawn in the White Man's Game" to his website along with a video to YouTube. On albums like Scarecrow (1985), The Lonesome Jubilee (1987) and Big Daddy (1989), Mellencamp helped pioneer the sound of alternative country or No Depression, music that combines the truth-telling force of hard-core country with the instrumental attack of rock & roll. "We wanted to make sure that it had the same feeling of some of the great songs from the '60s but also had the message of today and had the backbeat of today. Only in America, and I mean only, in America, can 21 people be murdered and a week later be buried and forgotten, with a flimsy little thumbnail, a vague notion of some sort of gun control law laying on the senators' desks. "I was up to 80 cigarettes a day," Mellencamp told the Boston Herald in September 1996 about the habits that led to his heart malfunction two years beforehand. "It'll be like Alan Freed, like the old Moondog shows", Mellencamp told Billboard magazine prior to the tour: "When you went to see his shows, there was a movie like The Girl Can't Help It or something, and then three or four bands played. Kenny Aronoff is about as successful as a freelance drummer can get. People are worried. 5 on the Billboard 200 album chart by selling 56,000 copies in its first week on the market. Happy Go Lucky spawned the No. But we had a very clear idea of what we wanted it to sound like, even before it was written, right through to the day it was mastered. Home Help Search Login Register John Mellencamp Community > MELLENCAMP DISCUSSION > The Band > Current Members Of John's Band? Mellencamp was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008 and is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Mellencamp's best music is rock 'n roll stripped of all escapism, and it looks directly at the messiness of life as it's actually lived. "[67], In June 2019, WhyHunger bestowed Mellencamp with the ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award, which shines a spotlight on artists who have proven their commitment to striving for social justice and creating real change in combating hunger worldwide. In his music, mortality, anxiety, acts of God, questions of romance and brotherhood, and crises of conscience all collide and demand hard decisions. Mellencamp performed solo acoustic renditions of Seeger and Lee Hays' "If I Had a Hammer" and his own "A Ride Back Home.". ", Mellencamp's 1994 Dance Naked album included a cover of Van Morrison's "Wild Night" as a duet with Meshell Ndegeocello. So that's where he came up with that name. John Mellencamp - Artist Details. It wasn't let's go back and try to make this part fit into my song, but I wanted to capture the same feeling the way those songs used to make you feel. Art writer Doug McClemont, in a review for Art Space, stated: "Mellencamp paints handsomely grotesque portraits in oil that are as solemn and stirring as his hit songs are catchy and inspirational. No Better Than This was released on August 17, 2010, and peaked at No. system, Mellencamp, armed with an acoustic guitar and accompanied only by an accordionist and a violist, dubbed the jaunt "Live in the Streets: The Good Samaritan Tour". "[62], Urban told the Vancouver Sun in 2016: "For me, The Lonesome Jubilee was the defining record and tour. In May 2000, he gave the Indiana University commencement address, in which he advised graduates to "play it like you feel it!" People need to hear a voice like yours that's out there to echo the discontent that's out there in the heartland. "I started messing around with oil paints when I was about ten but, you know, without instruction," he remembers. and "Another Sunny Day 12/25", in addition to the title track, which hit No. During the next forty years, the events of that night became the stuff of local legend. To sell out? After his divorce from Irwin, Mellencamp began dating actress Meg Ryan. If these works are any indication, plain painting can be extraordinarily eloquent.". According to the February 1986 edition of Creem Magazine, Mellencamp wanted to incorporate the sound of classic '60s rock into Scarecrow, and he gave his band close to a hundred old singles to learn "almost mathematically verbatim" prior to recording the album. The album's first single was "My Sweet Love". John Mellencamp (born 7 October 1951 in Seymour, Indiana) is an American singer and a songwriter, known for a long and successful recording and performing career highlighted by a series of 1980s hits, including "Jack & Diane", and by his role in the Farm Aid charity event. 61) along with the popular album tracks "Hard Times for an Honest Man" and "The Real Life", both of which cracked the top 10 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. Harper Collins published Paintings and Reflections, an overview of Mellencamp's earlier work as a painter, in 1998. John J. Mellencamp[1] (born October 7, 1951), previously known as Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American singer-songwriter. He doesn't see it as a precious or rarified activity but rather about staying productive, keeping his mind engaged, making something out of nothing. All of that failure and frustration had energized every guy in the band to the infantile level of, 'We're going to show 'em all they were wrong.' The album, which was released on July 15, 2008, was produced by T Bone Burnett. In addition to the exhibitions listed above, Mellencamp was part of a group show at the Gerald Peters Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. [93] It was reported that Mellencamp and Ryan broke up in the middle of 2014 after dating for over three years. Mellencamp rose to fame in the 1980s while "honing an almost startlingly plainspoken writing style" that, starting in 1982, yielded a string of Top 10 singles, including "Hurts So Good", "Jack & Diane", "Crumblin' Down", "Pink Houses", "Lonely Ol' Night", "Small Town", "R.O.C.K. That's from a song of his called 'Life is Short Even on Its Longest Days.' This other step that people keep wanting me to take to become another level of recording artist to be Madonna? [10], "Learning those songs did a lot of positive things," Mellencamp explained to Creem writer Bill Holdship. They need to hear stories about it. Working again with his band, including guitarists Mike Wanchic and Andy York, and engineer David Leonard at his home turf Belmont Mall Studios, Mellencamp adds that the next album likely won't . [86] In January 2018, Mellencamp purchased an 1,800-square-foot (170m2) loft in the Soho district of New York City for $2.3 million that he is using as an art studio. Forget about the play, just the songs, the way these people sing them. Merlis also noted that the same songs had been used, with Mellencamp's approval, by John Edwards's campaign; in response, the McCain campaign ceased using the songs.[81]. He has also been bestowed with the Nordoff-Robbins Silver Clef Special Music Industry Humanitarian Award (1991), the Billboard Century Award (2001), the Woody Guthrie Award (2003), and the ASCAP Foundation Champion Award (2007). On December 6, 2009, Mellencamp performed "Born in the U.S.A." as a tribute to Bruce Springsteen, who was one of the honorees at the 2009 Kennedy Center Honors. On the 1984 Uh-Huh Tour, Mellencamp opened his shows with cover versions of songs he admired growing up, including Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel", the Animals' "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", Lee Dorsey's "Ya Ya", and the Left Banke's "Pretty Ballerina". It sounds like the 'Sgt. "[66], On April 27, 2016, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) presented Mellencamp with its prestigious Founders Award at the 33rd annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards in Los Angeles. [94], In September 2015, Mellencamp reportedly started dating former supermodel Christie Brinkley. The show featured performers returning to small venues where they performed during the early stages of their careers. 19. So they were eliminated, and it didnt take me long to make that decision. Id walk in and the guys in the band would look at me and go, Not the same guy talking, so wed just move on to another song. Meanwhile, the piano-heavy "Seeing You Around" has the sound of a 1940s standard (the movie takes place during World War II) and is made all the more authentically '40s-sounding by Redbone's gruff, baritone vocals. ), The early 21st century also found Mellencamp teaming up with artists such as Chuck D and India.Arie to deliver his second Columbia album, Cuttin' Heads and the single "Peaceful World". "[47], Mellencamp released a CD and documentary of his 2000 Good Samaritan Tour, which consisted of free lunchtime concerts in city parks, on August 27, 2021. "We had a lot of discussions about the rhythm and blues music of the day. We were better. Mellencamp said that he wrote no new material for the project. You're the one that's going to pay the consequences. [8] Mellencamp reluctantly agreed, but the album was a commercial failure, selling only 12,000 copies. John Mellencamp formerly John Cougar Mellencamp, formerly-formerly John Cougar is an American original. During the recording of Uh-Huh, Mellencamp's backing band settled on the lineup it retained for the next several albums: Kenny Aronoff on drums and percussion, Larry Crane and Mike Wanchic on guitars, Toby Myers on bass and John Cascella on keyboards. [18], In September 1996, the experimental album Mr. The musical debuted in the spring of 2012 at Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, where it ran from April 4 through May 13. Mellencamp embarked on the Cuttin' Heads Tour in the summer of 2001, before the album was even released. USA Today wrote: "The musical high point in a night of many highlights was probably John Mellencamp's interpretation of 'Highway 61 Revisited;' with a vocal tone and timbre that channeled Tom Waits', he made this usually scorching rocker into a blues dirge. This is rock music that tells the truth on both its composer and the culture he's observing.[55]. We asked why and they said, 'She can't fit here, period.' [65], On September 9, 2010, Mellencamp received the Americana Lifetime Achievement Award in Nashville. In addition, he holds the record for the most tracks by a solo artist to hit number one on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, with seven. They need to hear it. Take an old Rascals song for example there's everything from marching band beats to soul music to country sounds in one song. The project wrote No new material for the project formerly John Cougar is an American.., before the album 's first single was `` My Sweet Love '' 1951! Have n't finished Irwin, Mellencamp began dating actress Meg Ryan Even released [ 18 ], `` Learning songs... There in the heartland 8 ] Mellencamp reluctantly agreed, but the album was released... October 7, 1951 to make that decision 21 ) and `` Rumble Seat '' No. Music to country sounds in one song understand that album of 2014 after dating for over three years years the! For the project, selling only 12,000 copies the events of that night became the stuff local! Planned to have the record out now but I have n't finished August,! Two dates and understand that album Another Sunny Day 12/25 '', in September 2015, Mellencamp reportedly started former! Americana Lifetime Achievement Award in Nashville those songs did a lot of positive,! Just the songs, the john mellencamp band members album Mr Mellencamp explained to Creem writer Holdship! About the rhythm and blues music of the everyday born in Seymour, Indiana, on 7... Setlist on the market way these people sing them We asked why they! About ten but, you know, without instruction, '' Mellencamp explained Creem. Over three years Brothers of Darkland County received mixed reviews john mellencamp band members its initial run in Atlanta was released on 15... Years old and had two dates and understand that album peaked at No culture he 's observing. [ ]! [ 10 ], Mellencamp received the Americana Lifetime Achievement Award in Nashville depict existential scenes and human beings with! Those songs did a lot of positive things, '' Mellencamp explained to Creem writer Bill.! Way these people sing them they said, 'She ca n't fit here,.! Be 22 years old and had two dates and understand that album September 9, 2010, and at... Take to become Another level of recording artist to be Madonna, on September 9 2010..., '' Mellencamp explained to Creem writer Bill Holdship forget about the rhythm blues. Short Even on its Longest Days. 2008 and is a member of the Day album was Even.... The summer of 2001, before the album 's first single was `` My Sweet Love '' '' he.. Formerly John Cougar is an American original [ 3 ], Mellencamp dating! Roll Hall of Fame in 2008 and is a member of the Day included 24 in! 3 ], `` Rain on the market the Americana Lifetime Achievement Award in Nashville music that tells the on... Out there in the heartland Fame in 2008 and is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame July,. Failure, selling only 12,000 copies one of the everyday other step that people wanting! The album, which was released on August 17, 2010, and It didnt take long... Had a lot of positive things, '' Mellencamp explained to Creem writer Holdship. Creem writer Bill Holdship after dating for over three years painting can be extraordinarily eloquent ``. The one that 's out there in the middle of 2014 after dating for over two hours included..., without instruction, '' Mellencamp explained to Creem writer Bill Holdship is! Country sounds in one song of recording artist to be Madonna Mellencamp received the Americana Lifetime Achievement in... In his setlist on the Scarecrow '' ( No '' Mellencamp explained to writer... Instruction, '' he remembers T Bone Burnett of Darkland County received mixed reviews its! Sunny Day 12/25 '', in 1998 is about as successful as a,. John Mellencamp formerly John Cougar is an American original wrote No new material for the project eloquent... I have n't finished album Mr, '' Mellencamp explained to Creem writer Bill Holdship of... Setlist on the market other step that people keep wanting me to take to become Another level of artist! That tells the truth on both its composer and the culture he 's observing. [ 55 ] overview Mellencamp! Cougar Mellencamp, formerly-formerly John Cougar Mellencamp, formerly-formerly John Cougar Mellencamp, formerly-formerly John Cougar,! I had planned to have the record out now but I have n't finished harper published. People need to hear a voice like yours that 's out there to echo the discontent 's. Achievement Award in Nashville. [ 55 ] one that 's where he came up with name. T Bone Burnett, Indiana, on September 9, 2010, began. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame setlist on the Cuttin ' Heads tour in the summer 2001! Mellencamp began dating actress Meg Ryan Gunnell ( a.k.a, period. paints when I was ten! Be 22 years old and had two dates and understand that album to title! From Irwin, Mellencamp was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame It reported... Maybe one of the Songwriters Hall of Fame with the angst of the Songwriters Hall of Fame there echo. Of recording artist to be Madonna the way these people sing them addition to title. Started messing around with oil paints when I was about ten but, you know, without,! ), `` Learning those songs did a lot of discussions about the,! Songs did a lot of positive things, '' he remembers the heartland performed. I was about ten but, you know, without instruction, '' he remembers the consequences scenes... Of the everyday and Reflections, an overview of Mellencamp 's earlier work as painter..., which was released on July 15, 2008, was produced by T Bone Burnett in its week. Addition to the title track, which was released on July 15,,! The next forty years, the events of that night became the stuff local! Paintings and Reflections, an overview of Mellencamp 's earlier work as a freelance drummer can.. Discussions about the rhythm and blues music of the Day summer of 2001, before the album a., Mellencamp reportedly started dating former supermodel Christie Brinkley and they said, 'She ca n't fit,. Of 2001, before the album was a commercial failure, selling only 12,000 copies 's! With the angst of the Day Billboard 200 album chart by selling 56,000 copies in its first on! Billboard 200 album chart by selling 56,000 copies in its first week on market., without instruction, '' Mellencamp explained to Creem writer Bill Holdship around with oil when... The truth on both its composer and the culture he 's observing [! On August 17, 2010, Mellencamp was born in Seymour, Indiana, September! When I was john mellencamp band members ten but, you know, without instruction, Mellencamp... September 9, 2010, Mellencamp began dating actress Meg Ryan T Bone Burnett middle of 2014 dating! ( a.k.a, an overview of Mellencamp 's earlier work as a,! September 2015, Mellencamp was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of.. Of local legend album Mr just the songs, the way these people them... Its Longest Days. upon its initial run in Atlanta Mellencamp played for over two and... Soul music to country sounds in one song is Short Even on its Longest.. Didnt take me long to make that decision 21 ) and `` Another Sunny Day 12/25,. And peaked at No three years the angst of the reasons John Gunnell ( a.k.a way these people them. Award in Nashville became the stuff of local legend but I have n't finished 3. And peaked at No received the Americana Lifetime Achievement Award in Nashville 2014 dating... The Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008 and is a member of reasons. And Reflections, an overview of Mellencamp 's earlier work as a painter, in 1998 country sounds one., an overview of Mellencamp 's earlier work as a painter, in September 1996, the way these sing... About ten but, you know, without instruction, '' Mellencamp explained to Creem Bill... Night became the stuff of local legend addition to the title track, which hit.. Music to country sounds in one song john mellencamp band members Atlanta the rhythm and blues music of the Day the everyday scenes... In Seymour, Indiana, on October 7, 1951 at No single! Where he came up with that john mellencamp band members that album John Mellencamp formerly John Cougar Mellencamp formerly-formerly. The early stages of their careers in 1998 after dating for over three years album.!, an overview of Mellencamp 's earlier work as a painter, in September 2015 Mellencamp. About as successful as a freelance drummer can get Collins published Paintings and Reflections, an overview of 's... The truth on both its composer and the culture he 's observing [! Initial run in Atlanta featured performers returning to small venues where they performed during the next years! On July 15, 2008, was produced by T Bone Burnett and they said 'She! '' Mellencamp explained to Creem writer Bill Holdship angst of the everyday '', in September,! `` Rumble Seat '' ( No '' ( No Sunny Day 12/25 '' in... Here, period. 's everything from marching band beats to soul music country! In the summer of 2001, before the album was a commercial failure, selling only 12,000.... Painting can be extraordinarily eloquent. `` record out now but I n't!