John Mellencamp stops Jack & Diane to school the audience on songwriting, live in San Francisco (4K)

John Mellencamp plays an acoustic version of his song "Jack & Diane" live in concert at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco, California on March 17, 2023. Jack & Diane appeared on Mellencamp's fifth studio album, American Fool (1982), which he released under the name John Cougar. John Mellencamp is a Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter from Seymour, Indiana. Mellencamp is on tour for his 76-date Live And In Person Tour.
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Live And In Person Tour (2023):
Feb. 5-6 -Bloomington, IN @ Indiana University Auditorium
Feb. 8 - Charlotte, NC @ Ovens Auditorium
Feb. 10 - Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
Feb. 11 - Jacksonville, FL @ Moran Theater
Feb. 13-15 - Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall
Feb. 18-19 - Orlando, FL @ Walt Disney Theater
Feb. 21-22 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Feb. 24 - New Orleans, LA @ Saenger Theatre
Feb. 25 - Sugar Land, TX @ Smart Financial Centre
Feb. 26 - San Antonio, TX @ Majestic Theatre
Feb. 28 - Austin, TX @ Bass Concert Hall
Mar. 1 - Dallas, TX @ Texas Trust CU Theatre
Mar. 11 - Portland, OR @ Keller Auditorium
Mar. 13-14 - Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum
Mar. 15 - Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
Mar. 17-18 - San Francisco, CA @ Golden Gate Theatre
Mar. 19 - Fresno, CA @ Saroyan Theatre
Mar. 21 - Sacramento, CA @ SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center
Mar. 22 - Los Angeles, CA @ Dolby Theatre
Mar. 24-25 - Las Vegas, NV @ Wynn Las Vegas
Mar. 27 - Denver, CO @ Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Apr. 3-4 - Kansas City, MO @ Midland Theatre
Apr. 6-8 - Minneapolis, MN @ State Theatre
Apr. 10-11 - Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theater
Apr. 13-14 - Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
Apr. 17-18 - Louisville, KY @ Kentucky Center
Apr. 19 - Peoria, IL @ Civic Center Theater
Apr. 21-22 - St. Louis, MO @ Stifel Theatre
Apr. 24-25 - Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theatre
May 5-6 - Evansville, IN @ Old National Events Plaza
May 8-10 - Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
May 12-13 - Cincinnati, OH @ Aronoff Center
May 15-16 - Ft. Wayne, IN @ Embassy Theatre
May 17 - Columbus, OH @ Palace Theatre
May 19 - Greenville, SC @ Peace Center
May 20 - Durham, NC @ DPAC
May 22-23 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Benedum Center
May 25-26 - Cleveland, OH @ Playhouse Square
June 2 - Baltimore, MD @ The Lyric
June 3 - Philadelphia, PA @ Kimmel Cultural Campus
June 5-7 - New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre
June 10 - Boston, MA @ Wang Theatre
June 11 - Providence, RI @ Providence Performing Arts Center
June 13 - Albany, NY @ Palace Theatre
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John Mellencamp official bio:
John Mellencamp's career in music has spanned more than 35 years during which time he transitioned from pre-fab pop idol to one of the most highly regarded mature songwriters of a generation. Mellencamp fell in love with music at an early age and was fronting a soul band in his native Indiana by the time he was 14. He would go on to release 26 albums with domestic sales exceeding 40 million units.
He has been nominated for 13 Grammys, was recipient of Billboard's Century Award, ASCAP Foundation's Champion Award, The Woody Guthrie Award, Q's Classic Songwriter Award and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Mellencamp has amassed 22 Top 40 hits and holds the record for the most tracks by a solo artist to hit #1 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart. The social activism reflected in his songs was one of the key catalysts that launched Farm Aid, the concert series and organization that has addressed the struggle of American family farmers for more than 25 years.
A career landmark occurred on March 10, 2008, when John was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame by Billy Joel at the annual induction ceremony in New York City. He hardly rested on his laurels with the release of Life, Death, Live and Freedom (an acclaimed live disc containing most of the songs from Life, Death, Love, and Freedom), and John's participation in a 2009 summer-long tour with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson.
Meanwhile, John continues to focus on another facet of his artistic expression: painting. He first came to New York in the 1970 with the intention of studying painting if his music career aspirations didn't pan out but started painting in earnest in the 1980's as a way to be creative in a more self-contained manner. His style has evolved over the years as evidenced by several gallery shows and published portfolios, and in recent years he has increased his output by completing over 100 new works. The exhibit "The Paintings of John Mellencamp" traveled to Museum of Art-DeLand, Florida, the Morris Museum of Art in Augusta, GA and additional museums. John’s art will soon be seen at ACA Gallery in New York.
John Mellencamp continues to live and work in Bloomington, Indiana. He is the father of two sons, Hud and Speck and three daughters, Michelle, Teddi Jo and Justice.
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Typo catcher: John Meloncamp, Jon Mellencam, Jack And Dianne
Tags: #johnmellencamp #livemusic #concert #liveaudience #acoustic #acousticguitar

[@TimBracken]

Thanks for watching my video. I gathered all the songs I shot at this show in a KZbin playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLwdc0qZNx0tYYEMRvnMUfRVESRpFcgVGT. The songs are: Paper In Fire, Small Town, Hey God (new song), Check It Out, The Eyes Of Portland (new song), Longest Days, Jack & Diane, Gloria (Van Morrison cover), Pink Houses, Cherry Bomb, and Hurts So Good. Enjoy!

[@FlowJunkie65]

Hey, Tim, thanks for videorecording John "Cougar" Mellancamp's performance for us all to enjoy! You rock, man! 🤜🤛 Liked and subscribed! Cheers, bro!

[@cherylrevell3081]

Thank you Tim! Next best thing when you can't be at the concert.

[@lwrefrigeratedexpress5698]

Why are you crying about it? It's called capolism. Get over it.

[@gundog7199]

Tim what venue was this recorded at?

[@TimBracken]

HI Gun Dog, this was the Golden Gate Theatre right by Market and 6th. They usually have musicals there, but the occasional concert too.

[@lamontejohnson9079]

Hurts so Good came out when I was 12...still one of my all time favs...but the world sure isn't near what it was 42 years ago

[@jeffreyabelson7171]

Life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone ... possibly one of the truest and most painful lyrics ever

[@escapist502]

Yep yep yep:)

[@finch45lear]

1982.

[@sitindogmas]

there is a beauty to it

[@bove2k918]

Gotta keep the thrills going! 😂

[@andykeen3209]

Be careful about that assumption. Pretty sure he changed his mind on that lyric, if you listen to the intro here. Says a kid doesn’t know anything at 25. I think that’s right, but I’m old 😂

[@myronlarimer1943]

This song shows that John was wise before his time , even though he didn’t know it…. Thanks John for you music, your stories and your poetry. From one Hoosier, to another, life goes on…

[@williamhenderson8371]

“Hold on to 16 as long as you can. Changes come around real soon make us women and men.” Even at 16 I understood what that meant. I hung on as hard as I could but the changes came anyway. That’s life.

[@therealfronzilla]

Me to

[@yousee66]

Lol. Yup. When his American Fool album came out in '82...I was 16. Great times. Great decade !

[@johnpepe180]

Still brings happiness to our hearts......

[@rubbersoul3723]

Watching from Rhode Island-the last of the great singer/songwriters-glad to see you're still hummin' along John-hope you're with us for a long time more. 😇

[@susanlineberry6360]

I certainly enjoyed his show at the Peace Center in Greenville SC!!! He is and always will be a classic!! I remember in Indianapolis, you could not even get a ticket to his concerts, they sold out in a DAY!! From one Hoosier to another he is the best!!!

[@kellyketcham1101]

The man is awesome!! Talented, fun, resilient and irreverent because he IS HIMSELF and I love that!!

[@maggiegoethals4557]

Just love his music!❤️💕💕❤️💕❤️💕🎈❤️💕

[@didiersavard6809]

Love that song. It tells a story that i can see with my imagination , love that.

[@AudioFreqx]

I am 63 and life is STILL a thrill.

[@TroyShaw]

That gave me chills.

[@cherylrevell3081]

I don't know how I missed him in his earliest career, but I accidentally got a CD when Scarcrow came out and I was hooked. Collected all his albums. Love all his music. So happy for his music and his art.

[@christopherallen9580]

how do you accidentally get a CD?

[@TheYamahog12]

@@christopherallen9580Stole it at a party.

[@russellszabadosaka5-pindin849]

Yeah, he's a really good visual artist. I don't know if he's shown his paintings anywhere but I saw them in an interview with him about 20 years ago.

[@theworldwariioldtimeradioc8676]

I got hooked on him back in the mid ‘80’s. I was lucky enough to get at a thrift store back in 87 a copy of “The Kid Inside”. His early stuff is hit or miss. The remakes he recorded sound like a bar band while his original work has a lot of feeling and really show where he would eventually take his sound.

[@Rick-the-Swift]

@@theworldwariioldtimeradioc8676 That's because he fired all of the original high caliber musicians who helped to build "his sound". Now a days he just uses local musicians who will gladly play for free just to have the opportunity. That's why it all sounds like bar bands in the last 10-20 years. Just saying

[@ballsyrocker]

i was born, raised and exist at 74 as a Hoosier today. I am proud that John comes from the same area. He is an Indiana treasure .Also, he grew up in Seymour, just south of where James Dean grew up on his grandparents farm in Fairmont, Ind. Hence the reference to Dean in "Jack & Diane ". Check out John's paintings. He is a fine artist in that genre too. Thank you, John, for your songs. Peace.

[@sharoncrabtree3304]

Loved it !!!!!

[@mariegalante2000]

Love John great singet and songwriter

[@8r0o8k]

Love all those sing along fun songs!

[@joshbaxter5036]

Just saw him. Amazing

[@stewgotz1]

me too

[@wesleyrhoten8505]

Still in fine form; thanks for sharing. I actually was 16 when Jack & Diane was released; the song always made perfect sense to me-

[@IVant2BAlone]

Me, too. I thought they were words written by someone wise beyond their years.

[@michaelparks6120]

This is a universal song about you and your first girlfriend...those were the days!

[@HEADLINEZOO]

I just got my first formal songwriting lesson. Much appreciated, John

[@stewgotz1]

great show!!

[@Thunderlion-yd4nv]

I pray to God he brings back the full band--including the electric guitar, bass, and drums--for future live performances of this song

[@richardward2469]

And the beautiful lady who plays the violin 🤟🤟🤟

[@russellszabadosaka5-pindin849]

I know Kenny Aronoff would jump at the chance to play drums for him again! That would be great!

[@stevenkukene9970]

Something special when this kind of connection is made. Thank you John!

[@Unclejack72]

Great video - thanks for posting it - brings back great memories... great songwriting indeed - "long after the thrill of living is gone..."

[@ashorsamano6576]

Honest singer and great storyteller thru speech and singing

[@lvbluestreak]

Saw John cougar several times. The guy is amazing unbelievable, this is a much watch for anybody thinking of a career in music but this is a brilliant live moment for everyone to see - nothing better than a great live show I love this! he is as cool as it gets - super cool

[@russellszabadosaka5-pindin849]

I dare you to call him John Cougar to his face. 😂 Seriously.

[@barryf5479]

He hates that name. Wasn't his idea.

[@durangomcmurphy1529]

Mellencamp is a class act . I heard him in Boulder , Colo in the 70's . Great show .

[@Knobs2044]

What year and what Venue in Boulder?

[@RCJH2022]

He's become a total prick (or maybe always has been) and 100% belongs in Boulder. 😂

[@Challender]

Nice upload! Thank you, John

[@geraldbrown2875]

The audience did the same thing when I saw John Mellencamp some years back in Oshawa, Ontario, he also stopped and schooled us on songwriting ! 🇨🇦

[@Cheezclown]

He schooled everyone recently the exact same way singing this at Farm Aid 2023. No cursing though 😂, he didn’t want to be the asshole there kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3O3e4eMnc9nhMUsi=JzjuopyE5dcwEJ4B

[@Cheezclown]

Had he said “you MFers” to the local crowd last weekend, people would’ve walked out. He seems drunk in this clip.

[@maxward1660]

About time you started playing it again.

[@stevebeaudoin7234]

Love John's old madness he's at the point where he will tell you what he thinks Love it

[@Biden_Cult_Morons]

Men like John are a rare breed. He was incredibly wise at a young age. When folks like him talk, best to listen to every word

[@user-lo9cp2kr7s]

He ALWAYS spoke his mine, even way back in his twenties when he “knew everything”.

[@cindygalbraith6180]

@@user-lo9cp2kr7s even in school! I know, because I went to school with him. He has not changed!

[@greg6602]

Great footage, Tim. Usually I consider aging rockers well past retirement age deciding to tour as very uninteresting and somewhat pathetic vanity projects but that was a great rendition by John with lively crowd engagement/involvement and humor invoked as well - from a man who has a fantastic catalogue that I have enjoyed since I was twelve or so, going back forty plus years. (I kinda felt like he was morphing into Kris Kristofferson right before our eyes watching this, haha.) Good stuff. Great song, then and now.

[@rulerofomicronpersei8]

So because someone is old, they aren’t allowed to play concerts anymore? What a ridiculous thing to say, Iron Maiden is in their late 60s, hell, drummer Nicko McBrain just turned 70, and he still plays fantastic, the whole band does. They’re still doing multi country tours across Europe, selling out arena after arena, if you think it’s a vanity thing, you’re sadly mistaken. They do it, because they can, and they do it DAMN WELL. Age doesn’t mean jack squat, fool.

[@greg6602]

@@rulerofomicronpersei8 Lighten up, Francis. As a matter of personal taste, by and large, with a few exceptions, I have no interest in the aging rocker who can't let go. Not a big deal. Calm down, Max. Have a cream soda.

[@johnscialfa7391]

Pathetic comment..not pathetic aging rockers...

[@globalnova]

amazing song and songwriter. this reminded me of Paul Kelly and how awesome he is too.

[@Biden_Cult_Morons]

Thank you John for bringing so much happiness into an otherwise insane world.

[@raynic1173]

THat was great, what an interaction with the audience!

[@nigelcarren]

Seems like you captured some magic in a bottle here! 🇬🇧👍🇺🇲

[@Easterwood67]

Pretty cool, thanks for sharing!

[@tarp11z]

He's seen better days. The honest truth is this he changed the world with his songs whether we want to admit it or not.

[@windydragon6522]

This is not about fans singing as John can’t. This is a communion - a coming together of artist and fans to share a sort of spiritual experience that the song brings for all.

[@clumsiii]

nobody said john can't sing. first minute of this i can tell john sings better than the crowd. Who says John can't sing?

[@professorvoluck9311]

This is absolutely a tactic performers use to preserve their voices.

[@michaelrafferty660]

He had them in the palm of his hand! Songs don't have to be complicated to be good. Great performance!

[@roknrolbilly]

GOOD FOR YOU JOHN,GOOD FOR YOU! i met you in the pink houses days... you still got it bud!

[@mediamagikgroup]

Great clip Tim.

[@dwspinner]

I attended his concert in Indiana this weekend and we Hoosiers did NOT go to the chorus after the first verse.

[@MrBinnskinny]

John is an American icon. One of our greatest songwriters. Just an all around great American talent. God bless 😎

[@user-kn4xw9ww8y]

He sure was

[@rodneyclouser9279]

That’s the best sing along I’ve ever heard!! Truly a life anthem! Thank you Mr. Mellencamp

[@theworldwariioldtimeradioc8676]

Some have negatively commented on John’s voice. I like the sound. It sounds like someone who’s been around. This whole video is friendly. By that I mean it seems like the audience is visiting John at his house drinking beers and hanging out with him on the front porch on a warm midwestern summer night.

[@joer5571]

🎯👍👍👍👍

[@toadranger50]

I think at one point he was smoking around 3 packs of cigarettes a day. And I’m pretty sure he’s had multiple heart attacks and surgeries.

[@jmack619]

Yes, my front porch holds 18,000 friends !

[@KevinSmythPhotography]

Love it. John you are the best!

[@sonofthunder3168]

Too cool...they were great in concert when I was a youngster.

[@muddysludge7117]

Bravo!

[@jackietimmons465]

💕💕💕💕 love you

[@terryballard4674]

Great stuff!

[@metalrockgaming]

keep on performing brother would love to jam with this man.

[@michaelparks6120]

I really like him😊

[@hendrsb33]

Just sitting here, enjoying the back and forth between John and the audience, realizing I know nothing about the guy other than his songs and his image. Just like anyone else, John has a life with ups and downs, childhood, adulthood, and elder years. He seems like an interesting, down-to-earth guy to sit and talk with over beers. Cool.

[@richardward2469]

Or a joint😬😬❤️❤️

[@theworldwariioldtimeradioc8676]

I am a big fan of John. I saw him in concert in 2008. It was a great show. My only criticism would be that he played mostly his popular songs. I get that he has to do that for familiarity. I just enjoy a lot of the stuff that gets little airplay.

[@queenslander7756]

I’d forgotten how old I was until I saw this clip! I don’t feel well!😳🤒

[@elmono3939]

Beaten up by life. Have not seen his face since late 80's. Good to know he is still around ....

[@UberKrispy]

thats all of us, Jack.

[@HarvestTexas]

In the 80's I spent my summers at John Cougar's melon camp. In daytime we'd pick some melons in the fields then at the night campfire we'd we eat cold melons. John played his guitar and songs for us then...... 😅

[@vicvega3614]

I remember this murderer Jason showed up and 17 kids got slashed

[@walterbarnick3598]

JM... you won me over with this... I'm your newest (74 years old) fan.

[@tracezachdaniels4264]

John Mellencamp ...YEAH.....THANK ALL THAT IS GOOD AND GREAT...THAT US ALL HAVE HIM IN THE WORLD EH.?.....MUCH LOVE.!!

[@sixslinger9951]

I was in High School when this song came out. It was basically our theme song then. Great time to be alive, good times, good music.

[@IDVDalot]

This was cool thnks

[@phillipzx3754]

Such a class act. And I thank him for the songwriting lesson.

[@spiroclimb2523]

Lol. Not lately

[@sdmackpictures]

That was the absolute BEST!!!!!

[@turtle19dad]

Grew up in North Vernon, IN only a few minutes from Seymour. Love me some John Cougar.

[@deborah3112]

WoW...what a fabulous crowd, having the best time, interacting being involved. This people is what life is all about. John what a gift to bring this all togeather much love !!!

[@user-Vegas1]

Glad to see he’s bantering with the audience. Saw him probably almost 20 years ago in Illinois. He didn’t say one word to the audience throughout the whole show.

[@philwright2480]

I went to see Ritchie Blackmores Rainbow in concert, the Down To Earth Tour, a pretty much unknown band called John Cougar and The Zone opened up, they were great, I became an instant fan

[@PaulSmith-pz9eq]

John Melloncamp ( Cougar) An American icon . I’m happy he’s still around after all that smoking. Part of our youths .

[@crusheverything4449]

*Mellencamp

[@bove2k918]

​@@crusheverything4449 Thank God you're here! Lol

[@taurusx1000]

Take me back to those days

[@Dougarony]

John always puts on a great show. I got some great footage of him last year!

[@bobpx]

saw him in concert early 90s in NJ Contental Arena or was it Brendan Byrne Arena back then, one of the best concerts, every song as a show stopper. Had great seats side stage. Lead guitarist played a different guitar every song, 25 guitars lined up. Drummer was awesome.

[@Raelven]

John Mellencamp, Susanna Hoffs, Belinda Carlise, ageless, legendary, and get better with time. Seriously, none of them age. It's crazy.

[@carolc4272]

Always loved this song because I grew up with Bobbie Brooks clothes and we had a Tastee Freeze in our small midwestern town!

[@johnnygizmo4733]

Audience singing chorus made my chest burn and eyes melt.

[@debrabrooks6331]

John we need more heroes like you these days.

[@johnconway9882]

Hero? WTF?

[@plymouth-hl20ton37]

@@johnconway9882 I guess you missed the bus if you don't know what They are talking about

[@kevinrichards481]

Saw him at small arena for his "Small Town" tour. He tripped coming up steps to the stage, we all gasped, he just smiled and gave us one hell of a show!

[@tkshots]

one of the best songs ever written,with the best line ever written...

[@MichaelLynn-kk7po]

Imagine working for him. The hell they go through.

[@christianburke3106]

Just saw him in Sacramento. He's still bringing it hard, even after 5 million cigarettes (and counting)!

[@stringspicksandfiddlestick6388]

Keith Richards quit smoking. I hope John does too.

[@WindOfTheWisp_Janine]

@@stringspicksandfiddlestick6388 I live in a small town outside of Bloomington, IN, where he lives...not too long ago, a friend of mine was in Bloomington & saw him on the street smoking...she was kind of sad/disappointed that he had not quit yet....🙁

[@kiddozoo]

He seemed to enjoy doing this with a whole different generation.

[@kidvolt]

Come to Portland. We need to have a discussion.

[@felixthecat4536]

That was fun.

[@michaelthornburg2491]

Loved all of the early JC and JCM stuff when he still had his voice before he lost it. Also Larry Crane deserved alot more credit than he seemed to get too.

[@Chris-vp2lm]

Things were simpler then and nobody dreamed how complicated it could get.

[@GoodMrDawes]

Legend

[@Fiawordweaver]

❤🎉❤

[@scotsman6712]

Went to st simons island years ago to interview him for VH-1. It was so hot that day, I didnt care WHO i was talking to. But it was a memorable shoot.

[@judgegixxer]

Love John, Each of his albums remind me of different parts of my life. Where did all the time go? It's kinda freakin me out.

[@MoorWalkerPro]

Pretty killer . Made my eyes water . I was lucky enough to see him back in the day . Scarecrow tour

[@jdkennedy77]

I love good quotes. I think Mr. Mellencamp might have been loosing referring to one of my FAVORITE quotes as related to dads and sons. Paraphrasing…Mr. Twain something to the effect that, when I was 14 my father was the most ignorant man I’d ever met. By the time I was 21 I was amazed at how much he had learned. Again, a paraphrase and I don’t have the accurate citation at hand. All that said, kinda sounded what JCM was alluding to. Saw him at SIU/Carbondale in the early 80s. Such a great show.

[@AC-gw4qu]

"Don't bore us, take us to the chorus" --- Tom Petty.

[@jefftipton2470]

Surprisingly he didn’t swear at the crowd for singing

[@Plisko1]

Actually he did. He said: "You mother Fckers jumped straight to the chorus.." :)

[@tracymcelhenie3988]

I always thought he was a kind of a cocky guy Love this song. Sure or not he’s a cocky guy. Jam on Mr. Mellencamp

[@MovieMakingMan]

Where and when was this concert? Florida? Was this the one where his grandkids were running through the aisles? And the one where his daughter sang with him?

[@kyledomini5142]

That was pretty cool

[@steverogers2635]

John Mellencamp has really become a crochety old man.

[@TimBracken]

He was a crochety young man too.

[@steverogers2635]

@@TimBracken And that's putting it nicely.

[@tonytorres8062]

what a thrill, playing a song that EVERYONE knows and sings along.

[@Ben-to8vt]

1:08 for where he first stops the song. My suspicion: They probably were absent for Songwriting 101 (if they were even enrolled in the class at all). At 4:28 he stops the song again (briefly, to identify the bridge).

[@cibernerd]

I saw him in San Diego in 1982, back then he would use dirty words indeed!