John Mellencamp

John Cougar Mellencamp was born on 7 October 1951 and formed his first band at the early age of 14. Around 1975 he found someone who was receptive to his music from MainMan management named Tony DeFries, who insisted Mellencamp used Johnny Cougar as his stage name in order to be easier to market. Mellencamp recorded an album of cover songs, but it didn’t sell well. Eventually, he parted ways with DeFrieds and signed to Riva Records and paired with Rod Stewart’s manager, Billy Gaff. Mellencamp then briefly moved to London to record and tour for his album “A Biography.” The record, which was not released in the United States did manage to chart in Australia.

Upon returning to the United States, he recorded and released “Nothin’ Matters an What If It Did?” which did have two charting singles; however, Mellencamp was not too happy with the finished product. His breakthrough album finally came in 1982 with the release of his album, “American Fool.” With the commercial success, Mellencamp was allowed to push to use his surname.

The 1985 release of “Scarecrow” was the first album that he recorded in his home studio, and saw it as the start of his alternative country genre. Shortly after, he partook in the first Farm Aid benefit concert with other founders, Willie Nelson and Neil Young, followed by a tour for “Scarecrow.” By the early 90s he dropped Cougar from his name and was billed simply as John Mellencamp.

By the early 21st century, he paired up with other artists for collaborations, and in 2005 set out on tour with John Fogerty and Donovan. He released his eighteenth album, “Life, Death, Love and Freedom” in 2008, and sold over 50,000 copies. Continuing a strong touring schedule and releasing albums, he continues into 2014, most recently with his album “Troubled Man.”