John Mellencamp has shared some choice words for a heckler at his recent show in Toledo, Ohio, calling them a “cocksucker” mid-anecdote.
Mellencamp was performing at the Stranahan Theatre earlier this week (17 March) when he was interrupted while telling an anecdote. An audience member yelled that the singer should “play some music”.
“What do you think I’ve been doing, you cocksucker?” Mellencamp quickly responded in footage captured on TikTok. “Here’s the thing, man. You don’t know me. You don’t fucking know me. Hey Joe, find this guy and let me see him after the show.”
The singer tried to resume his anecdote but was interrupted again. “Guys, I can stop this show right now and just go home,” he said. “I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. Since you’ve been so wonderful, I’m going to cut about ten songs out of the show.”
Mellencamp proceeded to play a few seconds of the classic Jack & Diane, just him and an acoustic guitar, before changing his mind, telling the audience: “Y’know what? Show’s over.”
According to a live review published in the Out Of The Blue webzine, Mellencamp did walk off stage after playing the snippet of Jack & Diane.
The house lights went on, and numerous people walked out of the venue. However, eventually, the lights dimmed again, and he returned to the stage, performing Rain On The Scarecrow after the heckler was removed from the theatre.
You can watch footage of the incident below.
Last year, Mellencamp revealed that he doesn’t enjoy rap music due to lyrical content.
Recalling a previous collaboration with Public Enemy’s Chuck D, Mellencamp explained, “Me and Chuck D did a song 20 years ago. We were talking about the N-word.”
Discussing the collaborative 2001 song, Cuttin’ Heads, Mellencamp continued, “We were talking about how it’s not supposed to be used… That’s what I have against – not against, but why I’m not a big fan of rap music.
“You guys are selling out what the people stood up for and fought for, and you’re making money off of it, selling it to white kids? I don’t like it.”
Mellencamp added, “And so Chuck D and I did a song… I wrote the song, then he rapped in the middle of it, and he just said, ‘die, N-word, die.’ That’s right.”
John Mellencamp last toured Australia back in 2008 and cancelled a tour due to take place in 2016. He’s claimed seven top 20 hits and ten top 20 albums nationwide and has sold more than 1.5 million albums in Australia.
