Inside John Mellencamp’s Long Battle to Escape ‘Johnny Cougar’
Early in his career, John Mellencamp faced a pivotal decision: adopt a new stage name and release his debut album with MCA Records, or return to his hometown of Seymour, Indiana, for a low-paying job. At not even 25, Mellencamp was presented with the alias “Johnny Cougar” as his ticket to potential rock stardom. Mellencamp…