Posted on 05/28/2023 4:28:16 PM PDT by nickcarraway
John Mellencamp has spent decades perfecting his reputation as one of classic rock's most uncompromising figureheads, one who's not afraid to shift into full-blown cantankerousness as needed. He displayed both qualities during his May 25 concert in Cleveland, warning attendees that he would cut the performance short if they didn't "shut the -- up."
The rocker made a stop at Playhouse Square as part of his ongoing Live and in Person tour, outlining his expectations for the audience well before he hit the stage. According to Cleveland Scene, the venue posted signs in its lobby that warned, "This show respects theater etiquette." Following the 30-minute classic movie montage that opened the show, Mellencamp let it be known early in his set that "I don't like people screaming from the -- audience."
Yet that didn't stop one ticket-holder from shouting at Mellencamp to "play the -- music" after he reportedly appeared to criticize the United States. That's when the gloves came off.
"Listen, hey, you guys, if these people don't shut the -- up I'm just going to leave, OK?" Mellencamp told the audience. "Because I'm not used to this crap. Look, guys, if I wanted to play in this type of drunken environment, I'd play outside or I'd play in an arena."
The "Pink Houses" singer issued a similar warning during a March performance in Grand Prairie, Texas, telling the crowd before the midshow acoustic portion, "This is the quiet part, so keep your -- mouth shut," according to the Dallas Observer. When a woman in the audience promptly broke the singer's rule and shouted his name, Mellencamp fired back, "What did I just -- say? But thank you." [[
Mellencamp launched the Live and in Person tour in early February. The 76-date trek is scheduled to conclude on June 24 in South Bend, Indiana. He'll release his 25th album, Orpheus Descending, on June 2. The 71-year-old songwriter pleaded for an end to gun violence on lead single "Hey God" and lamented the homelessness crisis on follow-up single "The Eyes of Portland."
John Mellencamp Tells Fans ‘Shut the - Up’ or He’ll End Show
“Your terms are acceptable”
I told the person I was talking to that back in the '80s, John Cougar sang, "Hold onto sixteen as long as you can / Changes come around real soon, make us women and men."
If Cougar wrote that song today it would have to be, "Hold on to 28 as long as you can...."
Love his music and hate his politics. But he probably hates mine, too.
Springsteen and Mellencamp seem to have forgotten how they started, with their songs about small town values and born-in-the-USA patriotism.
Both are big phonies.
He fought Mediocrity, Mediocrity always wins.
His 1985 album “Scarecrow” is a classic, probably his best work. I saw him that year and was a good show. Many musicians lean left, doesn’t bother me much.
What was this single anti-American comment?
Seems the wrong headline. They say one person complained. Then they don’t tell us exactly why the complaint.
I know it could be bad coming from Cougar, but this isn’t convincing.
John Cougar Military camp, as Beavis and Butthead said.
Mellencamp is 71 years old.
He’s officially an angry old man
“You kids get off my lawn.”
John Cougar MenstrualCramp.
‘Born in the USA’ sounds patriotic. The lyrics were a disappointment to me.
It was a great concert, Jimmie Vaughan killed it too.
I saw Fred Shneider from the B-52’s take a shoe to the head.
They were opening for The Who.
Oh, yeah. Life goes on.
Bruce is pissing on the flag on the album cover.
But it wasn’t a shoe, it was a shoe lobster.
They made a nice exit after that.
Joan Jett got booed off too.
My very best friend Wendy lives next door to John Mellencamp’s childhood friend and long time bandmate, Larry Crane. She was best friends with Larry’s wife before they got married and every year Larry holds a concert in his backyard for her and his wife whose birthdays are very close together. Luckily for me, Wendy has invited me each time and and I have been fortunate enough to have had several conversations with Larry and other musicians in Mellencamp’s orbit.
The common thread that arises in every discussion with those that know Mellencamp well is... what an asshole he is. The word “narcissist” has been used by several of these people when discussing their interaction with Mellencamp and that should be a surprise to no one. Anyone who’s been paying attention knows there’s a very heavy connection between narcissism and left-wing activism.
Bottom line is, he is not a nice man and I wouldn’t pay a dime to see him play live.
Jonny Cougar. Im old enough to remember when they had to give tickets away to his concerts.
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