John Mellencamp Career and Net Worth
John Mellencamp Career and Net Worth, Where is John Mellencamp now?
John Mellencamp is an American singer/songwriter. John has approximately $30 million in net worth as of this writing. John made his way to fame in the 1980s courtesy his talent in the genre of “heartland rock”. He has sold in excess of 60 million records globally during his career. About a half of the sale was made in the US alone.
John Mellencamp Early Life
John Mellencamp was born on October 7, 1951 in Seymour, Indiana. John was born with spina bifida and underwent surgery as an infant to correct the medical condition. At the age of 14, he had formed his first band called Crepe Soul. John went to Vincennes University where he played in a number of local bands. John opened up in an interview with Rolling Stone that he abused drugs and alcohol around this time. After managing to complete college, he relocated to New York City hoping to land a record contract.
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John Mellencamp Early Career
The period between 1974 and 1975 saw John shuttle between Indiana and New York City performing almost wherever possible. He finally caught the eye of Tony DeFreis of MainMan Manageemnt. John released his first album “Chestnut Street” under the name Johnny Cougar, at the insistence of his manager. The album contained a few original songs as well as a collection of covers. It was commercially unsuccessful selling only 12,000 copie. In 1977, John recorded “The Kid Inside” whose release was blocked by DeFries which ultimately resulted in John dropping from the label. John released the album eventually in 1983 after making his way to stardon globally. John was signed by Riva Records label after winning the admiration of Billy Gaf. John moved to London for almost a year to record, promote and tour on the back of 1978s “A Biography”.
John Mellencamp Breakthrough
In 1982, John released his breakthrough album “American Fool”. The album contained classics “Hurts So Good” and “Jack & Diane” which became No. 1 hit for four good weeks. Hurt So Good won a Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. The huge success chalked gave him the impetus to add his surname, Mellencamp to his stage moniker. John released “Uh-Huh” in 1983. It spawned “Pink Houses” and “Crumblin’ Down”. On the tour for the album, he opened his shows with cover renditions of songs he admired personally growing up. John released “Scarecrow” in 1985, it peaked at No.2 and spawned five top 40 singles which included “Small Town” -later became one of his most iconic anthems. Scarecrow was John’s first album recorded at his own recording studio in Belmont, Indiana. John’s next came in 1987 “The Lonesome Jubilee”. He released the album “Big Daddy” in 1989. The album featured the “Cougar” nickname after John dropped Cougas and went on to perform as just John Mellencamp. He opened the year 1991 with the released of “Wherever We Wanted”. The album had five Top 40 hits and received immense radio play. His album “Dance Naked” in 1994 had a cover of Van Morrison’s “Wild Night”. It became a huge hit and success and endeared him to a new generation of fans. It peaked at No. 3 on the Hot 100. He signed a four year deal with Columbia Records in 1997.
John Mellencamp Personal Life
John has been in-and-out of marriage for three times with five children in the process. He married his girlfriend Priscilla Esterline at the age of 18. John was already a father just six months after graduating high school. John’s daughter, Michelle also became a mother at the age of 18 making him a grandfather at 37. In 1981, he divorced Priscilla. John then married Victoria Granucci between 1981 and 1989. John later married model Elaine Irwin in September 1992, in 2011, the couple had divorced. John was also in a romantic affair with Meg Ryan. John had been linked romantically with Christie Brinkley. The rumor mill had it in April 2020 that John was involved romantically with skincare expert Jamie Sherrill.
