In this Book

summary

John Mellencamp's numerous hits, awards, and recognitions—including his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame—puts him in such celebrated company as Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, and Bob Dylan. In Mellencamp, David Masciotra explores the life and career of this important talent, persuasively arguing for his space among the most distinguished songwriters of our time.

Beginning with Mellencamp's modest start in Seymour, Indiana, Masciotra details the artist's road to fame, examines his struggles with the music industry, and celebrates the success he found by remaining true to his midwestern roots. With themes that range from small-town life, race, and religion to poverty and the struggles of adulthood, Mellencamp's songs remain central to the social and historical context of contemporary America. Acting as an artistic archivist, he has refused to forget the struggles of workers and Black Americans, and in line with his tributes to 1960s rock and Americana folk, he has summoned his sizable talent and his tenacious heart to tell a story his audience and country need to hear.

From a cultural critic whose work has also appeared in the Washington Post, Atlantic, and Los Angeles Review of Books, this thoughtful analysis highlights four decades of the artist's music, showing how it has consistently elevated the dignity of everyday people, and spanned the genres of folk, soul, and rock and roll to amplify the struggle of democracy.

Table of Contents

restricted access Download Full Book
  1. Cover
  2. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Title Page, Copyright, Dedication
  2. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Contents
  2. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Introduction: No Pop Singer
  2. pp. 1-10
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 1. Thundering Hearts
  2. pp. 11-38
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 2. Holding Hands Meant Something
  2. pp. 39-64
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 3. Get a Leg Up
  2. pp. 65-72
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 4. Eden Is Burning
  2. pp. 73-96
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 5. Blues from the Front Porch
  2. pp. 97-110
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 6. Big Daddy of Them All
  2. pp. 111-134
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 7. Don’t Need This Body
  2. pp. 135-166
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 8. The Lonesome Jubilee
  2. pp. 167-194
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 9. Here in the Melting Pot
  2. pp. 195-210
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 10. Winners and Losers
  2. pp. 211-232
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 11. Freedom of Speech
  2. pp. 233-240
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. 12. Fighting Authority
  2. pp. 241-254
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Conclusion Rock ’n’ Roll
  2. pp. 255-262
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Acknowledgments
  2. pp. 263-264
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Bibliography
  2. pp. 265-270
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
  1. Index
  2. pp. 271-282
  3. restricted access
    • Download PDF Download
Back To Top

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Without cookies your experience may not be seamless.