Anecdotes

Co-founded Farm Aid (benefitting family farmers) with Neil Young and Willie Nelson.

Became a grandfather at age 38 when his eldest child, Michelle Mellencamp, had her daughter, Elexis Suzanne Peach, in 1989.

Johnny Cash considered him one of America's 10 greatest ever songwriters.

Announced his engagement to 8 year relationship actress Meg Ryan on November 8, 2018.

Graduated from Vincennes University in 1973 with an associate degree in broadcasting.

On April 29 through May 4, in 1999, John Mellencamp's paintings were on display in Vincennes University's Shircliff Gallery of Art. He had 10 paintings in the exhibit. There is a book called "Mellencamp: Painting and Reflections," with 75 of his paintings.

Avid oil painter.

He won an American Music Award for "Jack & Diane" in 1982.

Father of Michelle Mellencamp (born December 4, 1970), with Priscilla Esterline; Teddi Jo Mellencamp (born July 1, 1981) and Justice Mellencamp (born 1985), with Victoria Granucci; and Hud Mellencamp (born 1994) and Speck Mellencamp (born 1995), with Elaine Irwin.

Suffered a mild heart attack in the midst of a 1994 tour.

Named his son Hud, after Paul Newman's character in the movie Le plus sauvage d'entre tous (1963).

Smoked five packs of cigarettes a day until his heart attack. He still continues to smoke three packs a day.

Honorary doctorate from Indiana University in May 2000.

In fall of 2004 he participated in the Vote for Change concert tour organized to encourage the defeat of George W. Bush in the U.S. presidential election.

He was born with a mild form of spina bifida. Riley Hospital for Children's neurosurgeon, Doctor Robert Heimburger (1917-2015) operated on that surgery.

Resided with his wife Elaine in Bloomington, Indiana (2005)

The albums "Nothin' Matters and What if it Did," "Best That I Could Do," and "Words and Music: John Mellencamp's Greatest Hits" were all produced, engineered, and mixed by Bruce Robb in association with Bruce Robb Productions.

Musician/actor/director

Performed at the Harvey's Outdoor Amphitheatre at Lake Tahoe on 7/14/2006. (juillet 2006)

Son of Richard Mellencamp.