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John Mellencamp Statue Revealed
Throughout his 50-year music career, John Mellencamp incorporated Indiana into his identity in a significant way. Indiana University recognized the ‘Small Town’ singer with a significant award for his cultural impact.
The artist behind ‘Pink Houses’ now has a bronze statue near the IU Auditorium. Mellencamp and IU president Pam Whitten revealed the sculpture last Friday, followed by Mellencamp singing Small Town, Rain on the Scarecrow, and Jack & Diane.
Although Mellencamp did not go to Indiana University, he resides in Bloomington and was granted an honorary doctorate from the university in 2000. He mentioned that as he ages, he has never thought about moving away from Indiana.
Mellencamp Concert
John Mellencamp performed a concert for his fans gathered at his statue revelation.
John Mellencamp Remarks
“I lived in London for two years. When I moved back, I moved here,” Mellencamp said. “When I did, I knew I would never leave.”
Fans’ Statements
Fans from all around the country gathered at Bloomington to to see the John Mellencamp statue.
“I must have seen this man over a hundred times in concert and I never get tired of it,” Lisa Spatafora, who came from the Chicago suburbs, reported driving to Bloomington. “I have several tattoos, including one where John signed his initials on my wrist.”
“We met at Mellenfest in Seymour in 2000,” John and Kim Darner, a married couple from Dayton, Ohio, said they later renewed their vows at the ‘Pink Houses’ house. “His music has saved me from a lot of things. He probably doesn’t like to hear that stuff but it’s true. It resonates with you.”
Mellencamp’s connection to Indiana University goes beyond just the statue. His artwork is currently on display at the Eskenazi Museum of Art and Mellencamp plans to gift his archives to the university in the near future.
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