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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2009 > July > 11 > Entry
Remembering John Cougar…
John Cougar Mellencamp played last night in Dayton on a bill with Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan. I wasn’t there. Hearing about it reminded me of my own encounter with Mellencamp years ago.
He went by the name John Cougar then. He had put out an album back in the late 1970’s on MCA under the name John Cougar. It didn’t sell. He seemed to be a David Bowie clone at that point in his career.
Then in the early 1980’s he put out a second album under the name of John Cougar on a label called Riva. That was the record that put him on the map.
I was managing a record store. That John Cougar album had just come out. The radio hits were still in the future. Nobody had heard of John Cougar then.
His label sent him out on tour as the opening act for, you might not believe this, Kiss. I’m not making this up.
Cougar and his band came to Des Moines as the opening act and since I had heard the album I was ready. Cougar put on a fabulous show. The crowd had no idea who he was and since they were all there to see Kiss they could care less. Cougar’s superb performance barely elicited polite applause.
The guy from Polygram Records was there. Polygram had put together this unlikely pairing of Kiss (on Casablanca Records) and Cougar. The guy from the label asked if we wanted to go have a beer with Cougar and his band. Of course we did.
We went over to the Howard Johnson’s where Cougar was staying. There he was in a booth in the bar with the guys in his band. They were drinking beer. We sat down with them. (note-I never saw Cougar drink alcohol).
There was nobody else in the bar besides a waitress who clearly wished she was elsewhere. No groupies. No fans. Nobody.
We sat there and listened to Cougar whine about how his career was going nowhere. It was stalled. He was angry.
The band invited us up to their rooms to continue the party. I had had enough of listening to Cougar’s whining. I declined the invitation.
Over the years as I observed Cougar’s rise to fame and his recovery of his actual last name I have always recalled that depressing night in Des Moines.
Mellencamp, eh? He’ll always be John Cougar to me.
Vick Mickunas
Permalink | Comments (13) | Post your comment | Categories: confessions of a galley slave
Comments
By vick
July 16, 2009 12:09 PM | Link to this
Note: Cougar’s band was drinking beer. I never noticed that John Cougar had any beer. I noticed he smoked a lot of cigarettes. We were in a bar. I didn’t really pay attention to what Cougar was drinking. It has been pointed out to me that Cougar does not imbibe in alcohol. I certainly don’t mean to imply that he did. I don’t recall what he drank? Coco Cola? I wasn’t paying attention to that detail….By Page Turner
July 15, 2009 10:15 AM | Link to this
Regarding that failed FU cheer, Blowfly: I guess that’s why they don’t call him “Country” John Cougar Mellencamp.By Blowfly
July 14, 2009 4:53 PM | Link to this
I remember the Cougar/Kiss show too. I remember Cougar trying to lead an unsuccessful F**U cheer, which the Kiss fans thought distasteful. I also remember that a guy who wrote for the local student newspaper arrange to interview Cougar. He showed up at his hotel and knocked on the door and when Cougar answered he said - I’m here to interview John Cougar. Strike one. Cougar said - I’m John Cougar. The reporter said - oh, your really short. Strike two. Cougar slams the door in his face. Strike three, end of interview. The reporter published the interview anyway and it turned out to be a pretty funny story.By irishguy
July 12, 2009 11:38 PM | Link to this
I also saw John Cougar Mellonhead back in the 80’s when he was an opening act. I remember him jumping up on the shoulders of his band mate and that he performed “hit me with your best shot” using the words guitar case in place of lipstick case. I, along with the crowd wasn’t too impressed. Never did understand his appeal. To each his own.By Shane
July 11, 2009 8:44 PM | Link to this
Vic Fair enough. Once again, I appreciate your story. By the way, John “vaulting onto the shoulders” of his guitar player was common throughout his 80’s performances. However, I greatly appreciate your responses to my posts. On another note, I visited your website and appreciated your recommendations for non fiction reading. “A Voyage Long and Strange” is indeed great reading, as well as others. I will take your other recommendations into consideration as well. All I ask is that you preface your comments with some consideration of posturing events. Thank you again.By vick
July 11, 2009 7:35 PM | Link to this
Shane, as I mentioned, John Cougar put on a fantastic show that night. The high point for me was when he vaulted up on the shoulders of his guitarist while the guy was playing a blazing solo. I can understand why the artist would be upset with the lukewarm response his Kiss-loving audience gave him. They didn’t even ask for an encore. Cougar was clearly in a foul mood and my perception was that he was being whiney. That was my take after spending an hour with him. He was whining. Feeling sorry for himself. Perhaps if you had been there you would have gotten an entirely different impression. That was my reaction and only mine. I stand by it.By Shane
July 11, 2009 5:14 PM | Link to this
Vic Do know why his song is now on a commercial? Have you read anything about his aversion to such advertising throughout his career? Howard Johnson is not pretentious. I was referring to your prose and misconceptions of knowledge.By IMJ and Muzak
July 11, 2009 5:11 PM | Link to this
Hello. If you are fans of any of the artists who performed last night, why not go to their websites on occasion to see if they are touring, releasing albums, etc. Perhaps your research and comprehension skills are lacking. Please consider.By Shane
July 11, 2009 5:07 PM | Link to this
Vick I appreciated your post, actually, until you mentioned that you grew tired of his “whining.” I believe that I would be upset as well if I had gone through what John had experienced up to that point in his career. By finishing with such a statement, I wondered if you had actually read into his career as deeply as I have. I did enjoy your experience, however. Thank you for that part. I suppose I would have liked some elaboration after the “whining” comment. Thank you.By muzak
July 11, 2009 1:34 PM | Link to this
lmj- You’re not alone. I like to think I’m pretty on top of things going on in Dayton, but didn’t hear a single whisper about this concert until after the fact. It’s a shame. Vick- Sorry about the Shanes of the world tarnishing your otherwise interesting post. Don’t worry…most of the rest of us can read and comprehend its meaning without a problem.By vick
July 11, 2009 12:15 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Shane. What’s so pretentious about Howard Johnson’s? I don’t get it? My research consisted of drinking beer with the unknown artist formerly known as Johnny. Over the next several years I sold hundreds of copies of his first records and I played his songs on the radio. I was delighted that his career took off. This was long before his music was featured on TV commercials. I have actually met the man, Shane. That was the entire point of this post; my impressions of John Cougar back in the days when he was just another frustrated wannabe….By lmj
July 11, 2009 11:24 AM | Link to this
Taking a shot at myself: Was I asleep during the promotion of this concert? I don’t recall seeing anything anywhere about it. Fort Loramie, yes! Bob Dylan, no! Not that I would have been there, but it would have gotten my attention. At least I think it would have.By Shane
July 11, 2009 10:47 AM | Link to this
Do you know how he received the name “Jonnny Cougar?” Do you know anything about the man? Prior to writing your smart*, pretentious article, why don’t you do some research first?