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| | John Cougar Mellencamp |
 | | "John Mellencamp" (born October 7, 1951 in Seymour, Indiana) is an American singer and songwriter, known for a long and successful recording and performing career highlighted by a series of 1980s hits, including "Jack and Diane", and by his role in the Farm Aid charity event. |
 | | With a major hit under his belt, Mellencamp insisted on changing his billing to "John Cougar Mellencamp" (compromising by keeping the stage name as well as his true last name) for the 1983 follow-up, ''Uh-Huh'', which was another top-10 hit and spawned several hit singles, including the vivid Americana of "Pink Houses". |
 | | Mellencamp, now fully asserting his power as a hitmaker, changed his billing to simply "John Mellencamp" and made waves by refusing to allow alcohol or tobacco companies to sponsor his tours. |
| www.artistopia.com /john-cougar-mellencamp (790 words) |
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