American rock musician born John J. Mellencamp on October 7, 1951, in Seymour, Indiana. Initially recorded as "Johnny Cougar" (1976-1982), then "John Cougar" (1979-1983), then "John Cougar Mellencamp" (1983-1991), and finally "John Mellencamp" (1991-present).
Released 25 studio albums between Chestnut Street Incident (1976) and Strictly a One-Eyed Jack (2022). Commercial peak: American Fool (1982, featuring "Hurts So Good" and "Jack & Diane"), Uh-Huh (1983, featuring "Pink Houses"), and Scarecrow (1985). Co-founded Farm Aid with Willie Nelson and Neil Young in 1985. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.
