John Mellencamp

And then I came back to the United States and he had a record deal based on the number one record in Australia.

And I used to go, well, we have a number one record in Australia.

And they would look at me and go, not many Australians in the United States, John.

So, you know, and then it's just kind of built.

But see what happened.

And I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I didn't give a fuck.

I got to the point where it was like, I don't give a fuck.

You know, do what the fuck you want.

Because I didn't want to be Johnny Cougar, which is how they made me start.

Whose idea was that to turn you into John Cougar?

It was Johnny to start off with.

Johnny Cougar.

Tony DeVries managed me.

david bowie lou reed uh matahupo you remember all these bands oh lou reed for sure yeah yeah anyway david bowie obviously yeah rod stewart obviously yeah same guy no rod stewart was different different manager different man but he was english too so uh it's hard to argue with someone that's got that kind of talent right

Well, it's hard to argue when you're 22 years old with a 45-year-old man who has had success.

Yeah, like I signed away my publishing and stuff.

This is an old story.

But, I mean, an old story from everybody from the Rolling Stones to, you know, you name it.

Prince.

If you were black, you know, it was like, here's a new car and a shiny ring and some money.