John Mellencamp is an American singer-songwriter that had his breakthrough year in 1982, with the release of the album American Fool, which had chart topping hits like “Hurts So Good”, “Jack and Diane” and “Hand To Hold on To”.
In 1983, John changed his stage name to John Cougar Mellencamp and released his follow up album Uh-Huh, with hits such as “Pink Houses” and “Crumblin Down”.
1985 brought the release of Scarecrow, which had socially aware lyrics and songs, such as “Small Town” and “Lonely Ol’ Night” which focused on the problems of American family farmers. In a follow up to the album Mellencamp, along with Willie Nelson and Neil Young helped organize Farm Aid, which was a benefit concert to help support American family farmers.
With the addition of fiddler player Lisa Germano, Mellencamps next album, The Lonesome Jubilee, proved to have more country and folk influences incorporated. With hit singles such as “Cherry Bomb”, “The Real Life” and “Hard Times For An Honest Man”, this album to some was considered his finest yet.
By 1991 John had changed his name to just John Mellencamp, and released
Whenever We Wanted, with its top hits like “Again Tonight” and “Love and Happiness”. However in 1993 he released his most critically acclaimed album, “Human Wheels”.
Mellencamp covered his own tunes as well as some by Bob Dylan and the Drifters for his album Rough Harvest, released in 1999.
Freedom’s Road, released in January of 2007 featured the hit single “Our Country”. This song was heard during Chevy Silverado TV commercials during football games because Mellencamp wanted it to reach a mass audience. John produced and wrote all ten songs on the album Freedom’s Road, which went to #5 on Billboard’s 200 album chart, his mort successful album since Scarecrow.
In the fall of 2007 John kicked of his tour in Indiana performing songs such as “Troubled Land”, “Paper in Fire”, “Jack and Diane” and “Lonely Ol’ Night” among some of his other greatest hits, for a sold out audience that is sure not to never forget it.
