Joe Rogan Experience #2438 - John Mellencamp

The introduction of SoundScan in the early 1990s fundamentally reshaped the music industry's hierarchy. Before SoundScan, a radio play in Indianapolis counted the same as one in New York. SoundScan assigned different point values based on market size, effectively devaluing regional rock radio plays and heavily weighting urban stations. This shift caused a rapid rise in rap music's chart dominance, making it appear as if rap 'took over' overnight, while rock bands struggled to chart, leading to reduced investment in rock by record companies.

Mellencamp's friend Tim White, editor of Rolling Stone and Billboard, predicted this outcome. 'If you got to play in New York, that was worth five points. If you got to play in Indianapolis, that was worth a half a point.' This led to record companies shifting advertising and promotion budgets away from rock-centric markets.

Mellencamp's early success as 'Johnny Cougar' was largely an unforeseen consequence of MTV's nascent need for content. Having already produced music videos for his number-one record in Australia (which was ahead of the US in televising rock bands), Mellencamp had readily available visual content. MTV, with limited videos from other artists, played his frequently, inadvertently propelling his career in the US despite his dislike for the imposed stage name and initial critical disdain.

Mellencamp states, 'Australia was way ahead of us. So, it was the video that I just made in a club in London that was shown that made that record number one. In Australia.' He adds, 'When MTV started, there wouldn't be that many people making videos, but I was. So they had to make content. So they played me all the time just because nobody else had videos yet.'

The distinctive drum machine sound in John Mellencamp's hit song 'Jack & Diane' was a result of practical necessity and accidental innovation. While recording, the band's drummer struggled to maintain a consistent tempo. Mellencamp borrowed a prototype drum machine from the Bee Gees' studio, which was being used to keep time. This machine provided a 'perfect timing' rhythm. Although the initial plan was to remove it, the song sounded 'like shit' without it. The record company 'hated' the sound, but its unique quality contributed to the song's groundbreaking success and iconic status.

Mellencamp recounts, 'The BeeGees were using it to keep time... I heard this sound and so I knew the engineer... I said, 'Abby, can I borrow that machine?'' He adds, 'We took the drum machine out. Sounded like shit. But it sounded great with the drum machine. So I said, 'Fuck it. we'll just leave the drum machine in.''

John Mellencamp's heart attack at 42, caused by unmanaged high cholesterol, became a pivotal 'blessing in disguise.' Facing a potentially fatal condition, he decided to step away from the demanding music business for three and a half years. This period allowed him to be present with his two young sons, engaging in everyday family activities like watching TV shows together. This forced pause led to a deeper appreciation for family life and a re-evaluation of his priorities, finding happiness outside the relentless pursuit of his career.

Mellencamp states, 'I got to stay home because I said, 'Fuck it. I'm going to die.'... I want to spend the last couple years of my life with my boys who were little teeny guys.' He later reflects, 'How lucky is that? That Well, it sounds like it was a blessing in disguise.'