[PAR] [TLE] John Mellencamp [SEP] John J Mellencamp (born October 7, 1951), previously known as Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American musician, singer-songwriter, painter, and actor.  He is known for his catchy, populist brand of heartland rock, which emphasizes traditional instrumentation.  Mellencamp rose to fame in the 1980s while "honing an almost startlingly plainspoken writing style that, starting in 1982, yielded a string of Top 10 singles", including "Hurts So Good", "Jack & Diane", "Crumblin' Down", "Pink Houses", "Lonely Ol' Night", "Small Town", "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.", "Paper in Fire", and "Cherry Bomb".  He has amassed 22 Top 40 hits in the United States.  In addition, he holds the record for the most tracks by a solo artist to hit number one on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, with seven.  Mellencamp has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning one.  Mellencamp released his latest album, "Sad Clowns & Hillbillies", on April 28, 2017, to widespread critical acclaim. [PAR] [TLE] Heartland rock [SEP] Heartland rock is a genre of rock music that is exemplified by the commercial success of singer-songwriters Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, Tom Petty, and John Mellencamp.  It is characterized by a straightforward musical style, a concern with the average, blue-collar American life, and a conviction that rock music has a social or communal purpose beyond just entertainment.
[PAR] [TLE] John Mellencamp [ SEP ] John J Mellencamp ( born October 7 , 1951 ) , previously known as Johnny Cougar , John Cougar , and John Cougar Mellencamp , is an American musician , singer - songwriter , painter , and actor . He is known for his catchy , populist brand of heartland rock , which emphasizes traditional instrumentation . Mellencamp rose to fame in the 1980s while " honing an almost startlingly plainspoken writing style that , starting in 1982 , yielded a string of Top 10 singles " , including " Hurts So Good " , " Jack & Diane " , " Crumblin ' Down " , " Pink Houses " , " Lonely Ol' Night " , " Small Town " , " R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. " , " Paper in Fire " , and " Cherry Bomb " . He has amassed 22 Top 40 hits in the United States . In addition , he holds the record for the most tracks by a solo artist to hit number one on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart , with seven . Mellencamp has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards , winning one . Mellencamp released his latest album , " Sad Clowns & Hillbillies " , on April 28 , 2017 , to widespread critical acclaim . [PAR] [TLE] Heartland rock [ SEP ] Heartland rock is a genre of rock music that is exemplified by the commercial success of singer - songwriters Bruce Springsteen , Bob Seger , Tom Petty , and John Mellencamp . It is characterized by a straightforward musical style , a concern with the average , blue - collar American life , and a conviction that rock music has a social or communal purpose beyond just entertainment .
When did one of the singer-songwriters of Heartland rock rise to fame?
When did one of the singer - songwriters of Heartland rock rise to fame ?
1980s
1980s