John Mellencamp

John Mellencamp (born October 7, 1951 in Seymour, Indiana) is an American singer and songwriter, known for a long and successful recording and performing career highlighted by a series of 1980s hits, including "Jack and Diane", and by his role in the Farm Aid charity event.

As a child, Mellencamp suffered from spina bifida and he had a troubled childhood marked by several brushes with the law. He eloped with his pregnant girlfriend at seventeen and began performing with a band the following year.

At age 24, Mellencamp, determined to break into the music business, moved to New York City and signed on with agent Tony DeFries (at the time well-known for representing David Bowie). DeFries insisted that Mellencamp's first album, Chestnut Street Incident, a collection of covers and derivative originals, be released under the stage name Johnny Cougar, a move Mellencamp claims was made without his knowledge and against his will. The album was a failure, and Mellencamp lost his contract with MCA Records.

He signed to the tiny Riva Records label and recorded 1978's A Biography, unreleased in the US, but which yielded a hit in Australia ("I Need A Lover"). Riva added this song to the next album, John Cougar (1979) to minor success. Female rocker Pat Benatar recorded "I Need a Lover" and released the song as a single from her debut album "In the Heat of the Night."

After one more album with Riva, Mellencamp signed with Mercury Records and released his breakthrough album, American Fool, in 1982 (see 1982 in music). The hit singles "Hurt So Good" and "Jack and Diane" sent the album to the top of the charts. (The former being an unlikely radio hit with its lyrics referring to S&M.)

With a major hit under his belt, Mellencamp insisted on changing his billing to John Cougar Mellencamp (compromising by keeping the stage name as well as his true last name) for the 1983 follow-up, Uh-Huh, which was another top-10 hit and spawned several hit singles. Despite his popular success, Mellencamp fared less well with critics who tended to view him as a derivative heartland rocker in the mold of Bob Seger. He rectified this in some quarters with the release of Scarecrow in (1985). The album's lyrics were socially aware, with several songs focusing on the plight of the American family farmer, and Mellencamp soon helped organize Farm Aid with Willie Nelson. Mellencamp, now fully asserting his power as a hitmaker, changed his billing to simply John Mellencamp and made waves by refusing to allow alcohol or tobacco companies to sponsor his tours.

His following LP, 1987's The Lonesome Jubilee was departure from his earlier material; it incorporated country and folk influences (see 1987 in music). It generated several more singles, including "Paper in Fire" and "Cherry Bomb". By 1993's (1993 in music) Human Wheels, Mellencamp's critical reception was solid and Dance Naked (1994 in music) spawned his biggest hit in years, "Wild Night" (a cover of Van Morrison's song, in the form of a duet with Me'Shell NdegeOcello).

After a 1994 heart attack, Mellencamp returned with Mr. Happy Go Lucky which blended heavier dance rhythms with his now signature folk-rock style with the aid of dance producer Junior Vasquez.

Mellencamp left Mercury after the 1994 disc. Issued a day before his 47th birthday in 1998, his self-titled debut for Columbia Records included the songs "Your Life is Now" and "I'm Not Running Anymore".

In 1999 Mellencamp covered his own tunes as well as those by Bob Dylan and the Drifters for his album "Rough Harvest," one of two albums he owed Mercury Records to fulfill his contract (the other was "The Best That I Could Do", a best-of collection) (1999 in music).

The early 21st century (e.g. 2001 in music) found Mellencamp teaming up with artists such Chuck D and India.Arie to deliver a more laid back record with "Cuttin' Heads", spawning the single "Peaceful World". "Trouble No More" followed in mid-2003 (2003 in music), a quickly-recorded collection of rootsy bluesy covers of artists such as Robert Johnson and Lucinda Williams.

Mellencamp's sound is cited as a major influence by fellow midwesterners Sheryl Crow, Garth Brooks, Joan Osborne, and Kid Rock.

Discography

  • 1976 Chestnut Street Incident
  • 1977 The Kid Inside
  • 1978 A Biography
  • 1979 John Cougar
  • 1979 Johnny Cougar
  • 1980 Night Dancin'
  • 1980 Nothin' Matters and What If It Did
  • 1982 American Fool
  • 1983 Uh-Huh
  • 1985 Scarecrow
  • 1987 The Lonesome Jubilee
  • 1989 Big Daddy
  • 1991 Whenever We Wanted
  • 1993 Human Wheels
  • 1994 Dance Naked
  • 1996 Mr. Happy Go Lucky
  • 1998 John Mellencamp
  • 2001 Cuttin' Heads
  • 2003 Trouble No More

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Mellencamp's sound is cited as a major influence by fellow midwesterners Sheryl Crow, Garth Brooks, Joan Osborne, and Kid Rock. Overkill, Bomber, Orgasmatron). "Trouble No More" followed in mid-2003 (2003 in music), a quickly-recorded collection of rootsy bluesy covers of artists such as Robert Johnson and Lucinda Williams. It has remained a symbol of Motörhead throught the years, with Petagno creating many variations of the Snaggletooth for the covers of many following albums (e.g. 2001 in music) found Mellencamp teaming up with artists such Chuck D and India.Arie to deliver a more laid back record with "Cuttin' Heads", spawning the single "Peaceful World". It was created by artist Joe Petagno in 1977 for the cover of the band's first released album. The early 21st century (e.g. Snaggletooth is the name of the fanged face that acts as a symbol for Motörhead.

In 1999 Mellencamp covered his own tunes as well as those by Bob Dylan and the Drifters for his album "Rough Harvest," one of two albums he owed Mercury Records to fulfill his contract (the other was "The Best That I Could Do", a best-of collection) (1999 in music). (In order of UK release date). Issued a day before his 47th birthday in 1998, his self-titled debut for Columbia Records included the songs "Your Life is Now" and "I'm Not Running Anymore". 1995-present (Overnight Sensation, Snake Bite Love, Everything Louder Than Everyone Else, We Are Motörhead, Hammered, Live At Brixton Academy The Complete Concert, Inferno and the compilations 2000-2001). Mellencamp left Mercury after the 1994 disc. 1992-1995 (March or Die, Bastards, Sacrifice). Happy Go Lucky which blended heavier dance rhythms with his now signature folk-rock style with the aid of dance producer Junior Vasquez. 1987-1992 (Rock 'n' Roll, No Sleep At All, 1916, March or Die).

After a 1994 heart attack, Mellencamp returned with Mr. 1984-1987 (No Remorse, Orgasmatron). By 1993's (1993 in music) Human Wheels, Mellencamp's critical reception was solid and Dance Naked (1994 in music) spawned his biggest hit in years, "Wild Night" (a cover of Van Morrison's song, in the form of a duet with Me'Shell NdegeOcello). 1983 (Another Perfect Day). It generated several more singles, including "Paper in Fire" and "Cherry Bomb". 1976-1982 (Motörhead, Overkill, Bomber, Ace of Spades, No Sleep 'til Hammersmith, Iron Fist). His following LP, 1987's The Lonesome Jubilee was departure from his earlier material; it incorporated country and folk influences (see 1987 in music). 1975 (On Parole) - initial line-up.

Mellencamp, now fully asserting his power as a hitmaker, changed his billing to simply John Mellencamp and made waves by refusing to allow alcohol or tobacco companies to sponsor his tours. (Note: The drummer on March or Die is Tommy Aldridge). The album's lyrics were socially aware, with several songs focusing on the plight of the American family farmer, and Mellencamp soon helped organize Farm Aid with Willie Nelson. Lemmy is the only memeber of Motörhead who was in all of the line-ups, although Phil Taylor has played with all of the guitarists (Larry Wallis, "Fast" Eddie Clarke, Brian Robertson, Phil Campbell and Wurzel). He rectified this in some quarters with the release of Scarecrow in (1985). However, the band's name is not pronounced as the German usage; instead, Lemmy pronounces it (IPA) / 'məʊtəhɛd/. Despite his popular success, Mellencamp fared less well with critics who tended to view him as a derivative heartland rocker in the mold of Bob Seger. The umlaut over the ö in their name is a record-cover art conceit, possibly derived from the similar "heavy metal umlaut" in the name of the Blue Öyster Cult.

With a major hit under his belt, Mellencamp insisted on changing his billing to John Cougar Mellencamp (compromising by keeping the stage name as well as his true last name) for the 1983 follow-up, Uh-Huh, which was another top-10 hit and spawned several hit singles. Many artistes of the modern era cite Motörhead as an important influence. (The former being an unlikely radio hit with its lyrics referring to S&M.). The group then returned to the concept of dual guitars and hired Wurzel and Phil Campbell to fill these roles. Mainstream success has dwindled since then but the band still have a large and loyal fanbase and continue to record and tour extensively. The hit singles "Hurt So Good" and "Jack and Diane" sent the album to the top of the charts. Robertson only lasted for one album (1983's Another Perfect Day) having caused friction in the band due to his refusal to play their most popular tunes. After one more album with Riva, Mellencamp signed with Mercury Records and released his breakthrough album, American Fool, in 1982 (see 1982 in music). Clarke felt that this compromised the band's principles and resigned to be replaced by Brian Robertson, formerly with Thin Lizzy.

Female rocker Pat Benatar recorded "I Need a Lover" and released the song as a single from her debut album "In the Heat of the Night.". Williams of the Plasmatics. Riva added this song to the next album, John Cougar (1979) to minor success. In 1982, Motörhead recorded a cover of Tammy Wynette's Stand By Your Man with Wendy O. He signed to the tiny Riva Records label and recorded 1978's A Biography, unreleased in the US, but which yielded a hit in Australia ("I Need A Lover"). The albums Ace of Spades and the live No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith from this era are also considered to be among their best work and were their most commercially successful. The album was a failure, and Mellencamp lost his contract with MCA Records. "Ace of Spades" is considered by many to be the definitive Motörhead anthem.

DeFries insisted that Mellencamp's first album, Chestnut Street Incident, a collection of covers and derivative originals, be released under the stage name Johnny Cougar, a move Mellencamp claims was made without his knowledge and against his will. In the early 1980s they experienced UK Top 40 chart hits with singles such as "Ace of Spades", the St.Valentine's Day Massacre E.P. (their collaboration with 'apprentices' Girlschool) and Iron Fist. At age 24, Mellencamp, determined to break into the music business, moved to New York City and signed on with agent Tony DeFries (at the time well-known for representing David Bowie). Follow-up albums Overkill and Bomber cemented their reputation as one of Britain's foremost heavy metal groups. He eloped with his pregnant girlfriend at seventeen and began performing with a band the following year. By this time the standard of their performances had improved considerably, and the uncompromising nature of their music was beginning to garner a following from the worlds of both metal and punk. As a child, Mellencamp suffered from spina bifida and he had a troubled childhood marked by several brushes with the law. The band's first official album release was the self-titled Motörhead, released in 1977.

John Mellencamp (born October 7, 1951 in Seymour, Indiana) is an American singer and songwriter, known for a long and successful recording and performing career highlighted by a series of 1980s hits, including "Jack and Diane", and by his role in the Farm Aid charity event. The team of Lemmy, Clarke and Taylor is today regarded as the "classic" Motörhead line-up, although initial reactions were unfavourable: they memorably won a poll for "Worst Band in the World" in one music magazine. 2003 Trouble No More. Deciding that two guitarists were required, the band recruited "Fast" Eddie Clarke, but Wallis left during the auditions and so the idea was shelved. 2001 Cuttin' Heads. The sessions did not see the light of day until they were opportunistically released in 1979 once the band was becoming popular. 1998 John Mellencamp. They recorded sessions at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, during which Fox left to be replaced by Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor.

Happy Go Lucky. The first line-up of the band featured Larry Wallis (ex-Pink Fairies) on guitar and Lucas Fox on drums. 1996 Mr. Lemmy's stated aim was for the outfit to be "the dirtiest rock 'n' roll band in the world". 1994 Dance Naked. Realising that this would preclude them from commercial acceptance, he eventually settled on "Motörhead", after a song he had written for Hawkwind. 1993 Human Wheels. After being sacked from Hawkwind in 1975, supposedly for "doing the wrong drugs", Lemmy decided to form a new band, originally to be called "Bastard".

1991 Whenever We Wanted. An "us against the world" mentality is evident in many of their songs. 1989 Big Daddy. Their lyrics generally cover topics such as war, abuse of power, substance abuse and "life on the road" - the latter for which they wrote the song "We Are The Road Crew". 1987 The Lonesome Jubilee. AC/DC referred to Motörhead as,"the only band louder than us". 1985 Scarecrow. Their sound tends to be "half metal, half punk, and half rock 'n roll" — purposefully adding up to three halves of a band.

1983 Uh-Huh. While the band are typically classified as heavy metal or speed metal, Lemmy has refused such labels, preferring to describe Motörhead's style as "rock and roll". 1982 American Fool. The title of one of their live albums, Everything Louder Than Everyone Else, reflects this assertion. 1980 Nothin' Matters and What If It Did. Founded by ex-Hawkwind bassist Lemmy Kilmister in 1975, they specialise in songs that are extremely loud to the unaccustomed listener. 1980 Night Dancin'. Their name derives from a slang term for an amphetamine user.

1979 Johnny Cougar. Motörhead are a canonical speed metal band. 1979 John Cougar. See IPA in Unicode if you have display problems. 1978 A Biography. Note: This page contains phonetic information presented in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) using Unicode. 1977 The Kid Inside. 2004 Everything Louder Than Everything Else.

1976 Chestnut Street Incident. 2003 The Special Edition EP. 2002 The Best of Motörhead. 2002 Motörhead EP. 2001 25 & Alive Boneshaker - Steamhammer - SPV.

1991 Everything louder Than Everything Else. 1988 EP. 1986 Deaf Not Blind. 1985 Birthday Party.

1984 Another Perfect Day EP. 1982 Live In Toronto - Castle Hendering. Inferno (June 22, 2004). Live At Brixton Academy The Complete Concert (2003; live).

Hammered (2002). All The Aces (2001; compilation). Over The Top - The Rarities (2000; compilation). The Chase Is Better Than The Catch (2000; compilation).

The Best Of (2000; compilation). We Are Motorhead (2000). Everything Louder Than Everyone Else (1999; live). Snake Bite Love (1998).

Overnight Sensation (1996). Sacrifice (1994). Bastards (1993). March or Die (1992).

1916 (1991). No Sleep at All (1988; live). Rock 'n' Roll (1987). Orgasmatron (1986).

No Remorse (1984; compilation). Another Perfect Day (1983). Iron Fist (1982). No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith (1981; live; reached No.1 in UK album charts).

Ace of Spades (1980; reached No.4 in UK album charts). On Parole (1979; unofficial release from sessions recorded in 1975). Bomber (1979). Overkill (1979).

Motörhead (1977). Mikkey Dee - drums. Phil Campbell - guitar. Lemmy Kilmister - bass, vocals.

Mikkey Dee - drums. Wurzel - guitar. Phil Campbell - guitar. Lemmy Kilmister - bass, vocals.

Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor - drums. Wurzel - guitar. Phil Campbell - guitar. Lemmy Kilmister - bass, vocals.

Pete Gill - drums. Wurzel (born Michael Burston) - guitar. Phil Campbell - guitar. Lemmy Kilmister - bass, vocals.

Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor - drums. Brian Robertson - guitar. Lemmy Kilmister - bass, vocals. Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor - drums.

"Fast" Eddie Clarke - guitar, vocals. Lemmy Kilmister - bass, vocals. Lucas Fox - drums. Larry Wallis - guitar.

Lemmy Kilmister - bass, vocals.