February 1986, Hollywood Sportatorium, Hollywood, Fla.
In the evolving stages of John Mellencamp, I was a live witness to the artist in midst when the Cougar was not quite jettisoned from the name, but was on the way out. He had helped create Farm Aid the year before, and the youthful, rebellious John Cougar was not in the building anymore. I guess we all grow up sometime.
He’s one of those artists you don’t realize has as many hit songs as he does until you sit down and really take a look. The man has more than 50 songs that charted, including 16 in the top 10 and six that reached No. 1 — if you listen to the radio at any point during a week (I know, why would you, but still) you will hear a John Mellencamp song (this happens with Tom Petty too). He established himself somewhat before MTV and took off when the station exploded.
I’m a big fan of Uh-Huh, the 1983 album with “Crumblin’ Down,” “Pink Houses” and “Authority Song” — I hear one of those songs and I’m a singing fool (and anyone who has heard me sing knows that’s a bad thing). In 1986 he was touring on the strength of Scarecrow which produced eight charting singles including the No. 1 “Lonely Ol’ Night,” as well as “Small Town,” “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” and “Rumbleseat,” one of my favorites.
It was a good tour to see him.
I went with my friend Ellen (if you’re out there, hello) for a trek to the Sportatorium, and thankfully this time my car did not break down (but then again, this wasn’t really a date). I don’t remember if there was an opener, and if there was it wasn’t a memorable one.
But Mellencamp’s performance was.
He played just about everything you wanted to hear — “Jack and Diane,” “Hurts So Good,” “Hand to Hold on To,” “I Need a Lover,” as well as the aforementioned songs — looking sprite and playing well with a tight band that at this point had been on tour for a while. He was personable and fun, and told a story that has always stayed on my mind.
At the point of the story he had an album under his belt and was finding a little success. He ran into a woman he had a crush on in high school — she didn’t share the same feelings — and told her he wrote a new song he wanted her to hear, but didn’t say it was about her. They go back to his car and he plays her the song — except the entire time she’s talking and not really paying attention to the song at all. Sometimes those moments you build up in your mind never happen the way you dream them to.
He then played the song, “Ain’t Even Done with the Night,” which was a moderate hit on his second album Nothin’ Matters and What If It Did, and anytime I hear it I remember that story.
For an encore he did a series of covers, which was fine since the main set was essentially 20 songs of greatest hits, playing “Mony Mony,” “Proud Mary” and ending with “Under the Boardwalk,” a Drifters song he recorded which became a top-20 hit.
Mellencamp would go on to further success, and later in life I would bump into him at the Indiana University press box during a football game between Indiana and Penn State. He’s given tons of money to IU and has a personal box at the stadium, and at this moment was getting food during halftime. I looked up and saw him, giving that startled look I’m sure he’s seen tons of times. “Have the barbecue, it’s good,” he said, then went back to his box.
I did have the barbecue, and he was right. Rock stars know everything.
