John Mellencamp: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2008 part 1

1976-1989

John Mellencamp was born with spina bifida and should have died. However, a doctor performed experimental surgery saving the infant's life. He married at 18, graduated college in 1974, and played music. A record agent convinced him to change his name to John Cougar for marketing purposes and he released his first album in 1976. It flopped. He released a second album overseas and scored a hit in Australia.

I Need a Lover (1978): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adMXjSithMs

The song was released in the US the next year.

In 1982, he hit it big time with American Fool after building his audience.

Hurts So Good (1982): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dOsbsuhYGQ

Jack & Diane (1982): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h04CH9YZcpI

Success continued with Uh-Huh

He changed his name to John Cougar Mellencamp

Crumblin' Down (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PErUiAyVoGc

Pink Houses (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOfkpu6749w

Authority Song (1984): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsEwK69LXjQ


He cofounded Farm Aid in 1985 to help struggling farmers.
Scarecrow

Lonely Ol' Night (1985): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQMkRzWT8mo

Small Town (1985): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CVLVaBECuc

R.O.C.K. in the USA (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgtmStUrXMQ

Rain on the Scarecrow (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joNzRzZhR2Y

The Lonesome Jubilee

Paper in Fire (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myo9wXrNUP4

Cherry Bomb (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF0gsbQKhD8

Check it Out (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GimNm_PKtYM

Big Daddy

Pop Singer (1989): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLShxXgIK5w