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."
Refund please!
I think about half the senior class at my high school went to that concert.
The opening act was The Babys with John Waite. Of course they played “Midnight Rendezvous,” along with other well-known songs of theirs.
“Mediocre musician, commie jerk”
Mellencamp music reminded me of a ‘70s version of ‘60s bubblegum music something like Tommy Roe or the Archies only with an edge.
“I count that as one of the worst songs ever written.”
Ditto. I enjoy a number of his songs, but that one is nails on a chalkboard to me
Ooh yeah, life goes on...
Had a girlfriend in College who said about Springsteen’s “The River”, he’s singing about us (she was from a small town near Pittsburgh). I said, “No he’s mocking you.” Probably cost me some good times.
Did he offer their money back?
Mellencamp copied his entire shtick from Meat Loaf. Listen to the end of “You Took The Words Right Out of My Mouth” from the 1977 LP Bat Out of Hell and hear the style Mellencamp would appropriate.
When he said he would shut down his “performance,” the crowd, in unison, should have shouted “You promise, a**hole?”
“Suckin’ on a chilli dog outside the tastie freeze”. Cringeworthy. Might be a euphemism but still, yuck.
Ok I have a great idea for a movie scene.
Some asshat singer says this/something like this, and either
1. The entire audience decides to just get up and leaves them standing in an empty auditorium
2. The entire audience decides to just get up and leave, except for one person, who sits there after everyomes gone, and says “just play the effing music”
3. The entire crowd just shouts them down saying “play the music” and the asshat storms off, to thunderous crowd applause.
A John Cougar show?
The dancing monkey has an attitude; how cute.
WTH would PAY to see this jerk.
I did when stationed at Ft. Knox in 1986. He rode up onstage on a Harley he clearly didn’t know how to handle. I mentioned it later to one of my Sergeants, who replied, “it’s a prop, he’a trying to sell something he ain’t. He’s fake.” Wisdom across the years...
Entertainment industry nitwit, John P**** 'Karen' Mellencamp is a washed up has-been. He doesn't deserve any more of your money.
You did the right thing.
An embarrassment.
Very pleased with himself.
Melonhead ? I saw this mofo get booed off the stage, almost 50 years ago.
He’s a ahole, always has been.
Shut up and sing. We don’t want to hear your sanctimonious hypocritical slop.
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