"And like my friend John Mellencamp would sing -- because John sang some truth today -- one day you get sick and you don't get better."

Grammys 2015: Bob Dylans MusiCares Person of Year Speech

"Mellencamp is among our greatest living songwriters."

Johnny Cash

"John Mellencamp not only has a mind, but better yet, he's got a mind of his own."

Nora Guthrie

"Orpheus Descending"

Official Lyric Video

{"id":"","module":"news","news_item_id":"51","page":"3"}nullSELECT `article`.*, IFNULL(is_sticky, 0) AS `sticked` FROM `article` LEFT JOIN `page` ON `article`.`page_id` = `page`.`id` WHERE (page.path LIKE '/%') AND (`keywords`='News') AND (`language_id`=1) AND (page.publish_at < NOW() OR page.publish_at IS NULL) AND (page.unpublish_at > NOW() OR page.unpublish_at IS NULL) AND (`page`.`is_head_revision`=1) AND (`page`.site_group_id IS NULL OR `page`.site_group_id = 1) AND (`page`.site_id IS NULL OR `page`.site_id = 3) AND (`page`.site_group_id IS NULL OR `page`.site_group_id = 1) ORDER BY `sticked` DESC, `position`, `at` DESC, `article`.`id` DESC LIMIT 4 OFFSET 8[{"id":"2335","page_id":"5266","blurb_html":"","at":"2026-01-14 06:00:00","is_sticky":"0","position":null,"timezone":"America/Chicago","display_time":"0","sticked":"0","page":{"id":"5266","site_group_id":null,"site_id":null,"path":"/news/people-com","title":"People.com John Mellencamp Announces Greatest Hits Tour with Some Help from Pal Sean Penn and a 'Jack & Diane' Sing-Along (Exclusive)","name":null,"html":"People.com By Rachel DeSantis

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At a concert at Madison Square Garden nearly 20 years ago, Pete Seegergave John Mellencamp some advice. The folk legend told the rocker that if he wanted his career to have longevity, he should “keep it small, but keep it going.”

For the last 17 years, Mellencamp has heeded that advice, eschewing large, outdoor venues for smaller, more intimate theaters. Now, though he’s ready to do some good, old-fashioned R.O.C.K.ing in the U.S. of A.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, 74, will hit the road this summer for his new Dancing Words Tour — The Greatest Hits, which he announced in a feel-good new short film featuring Sean Penn that PEOPLE is exclusively premiering.

“They’ve been asking me to do this for years. ‘Come play outside again.’ And I’m saying, ‘No, no, no.’ But this time, I’m 74 years old. I thought I might be getting to the age where I might want to try to share these songs with people again,” Mellencamp tells PEOPLE. “In the video that Sean and I made, Sean says, ‘There’s no reason to keep these songs to yourself. What’s the problem with trying to make people happy?’”

The video features Mellencamp rolling up to a roadside diner via motorcycle for a meeting with Penn, a real-life friend of the star’s since the early 1980s. Penn, 65, tries to convince Mellencamp that a greatest hits tour is something he should consider — and when the entire diner (including the star’s sons Hud, 31, and Speck, 30, in quick cameos) starts singing “Jack & Diane” together, he’s finally convinced.

“I don’t mean to sound corny, but I could never, in my wildest dreams, have imagined, when I made my first record at 22, that at 74, I would still be here,” he says. “[But] I don’t think it’s a good idea to sit on the couch. If you want to die, sit on the couch.”

Fans can expect shows in major markets like New York and Los Angeles over 19 dates starting July 10, 2026. There’ll be the biggest hits, like “Hurts So Good,” “Pink Houses” and “Small Town,” and other popular tunes that Mellencamp hasn’t played live in decades, like “I Need a Lover,” “Wild Nights” and “Ain’t Even Done with the Night.”

“I listened to [‘Ain’t Even Done with the Night’] the other day for the first time, and I thought, ‘This isn’t bad. We can modernize this and get away from ‘80s, ‘70s pop music sound and still do the song,’” he says. “I’m going to do ‘Jack & Diane,’ but I’m going to do it as what they call a smash-up, which will be a soul song. People are going to go, ‘What the f---?’”

Part of the reason Mellencamp quit doing huge shows was because he’d started to feel “like a cheerleader” and a “human jukebox” for concertgoers who were only there to “get drunk and party.” The never-ending tour dates also got to him, which is why he’s opting now for a more manageable 19 dates.

“We’re only doing 20 shows. And the reason we’re doing 20 shows is because whenever anybody asks me, ‘John, do you like being on tour?’ I’d always go, ‘I like the first 20 shows. Then after that, it turns into work,’” he says. “So okay, let’s do 20 shows.”

The Grammy winner says his son Hud will certainly join him on tour, and so will Kristin Kehrberg, his girlfriend of three years (“I’ve been very lucky with that,” he says of his relationship with Kehrberg. “We get along great”). He’s also dad to daughters Michelle, 55, Teddi, 44, and Justice, 40, and says he’s “very happy” with his relationships with his kids.

As he prepares for the new tour, Mellencamp — who released his last album, Orpheus Descending, in 2023 — says he’s keeping his eyes on the prize — and is, of course, well aware that he’s in good company.

“If Willie Nelson can do it, I can do it. If Bob Dylan can do it, I can do it. If Bruce [Springsteen] can do it, I can do it,” he says. “So as long as those guys are still slugging, I’m still slugging.”

Tickets will go on sale Friday, Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. local time at Mellencamp.com. There will be a Citi presale starting Monday, Jan. 19 at 10 a.m. local time through Thursday, Jan. 22. There will also be a number of different VIP packages available.

See below for a full list of tour dates for Dancing Words Tour — The Greatest Hits.

July 10 — Grand Rapids, Mich. — Acrisure Amphitheater

July 11 — Tinley Park, Ill. — Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre

July 13 — Kansas City, Mo. — Morton Amphitheater

July 14 — Shakopee, Minn. — Mystic Lake Amphitheater

July 16 — Clarkston, Mich. — Pine Knob Music Theatre

July 18 — Noblesville, Ind. — Ruoff Music Center

July 19 — Cincinnati, Ohio — Riverbend Music Center

July 21 — Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio — Blossom Music Center

July 24 — Mansfield, Mass. — Xfinity Center

July 25 — Holmdel, N.J. — PNC Bank Arts Center

July 26 — Wantagh, N.Y. — Northwell at Jones Beach Theater

July 29 — Bristow, Va. — Jiffy Lube Live

July 30 — Charlotte, N.C. — Truliant Amphitheater

Aug. 1 — Alpharetta, Ga. — Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

Aug. 3 — Tampa, Fla. — MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

Aug. 6 — Houston, Texas — The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Aug. 9 — Phoenix, Ariz. — Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre

Aug. 10 — Hollywood, Calif. — Hollywood Bowl

Aug. 12 — Mountain View, Calif. — Shoreline Amphitheatre

","created_at":"2026-01-14 17:43:55","created_by_user_id":"13","publish_at":null,"unpublish_at":null,"is_head_revision":"1","revision_status":null,"page_type_id":"5","layout":"article/main","description":"","robots":null,"image":"https://s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/busites_www/mellencamp/pages/meta/dsc_9971_2_1768412627.JPG","video":"","audio":"","into_head":"","before_body":"","path_aliases":"","redirect_to":"","redirect_header":null,"keywords":"News","language_id":"1","allowed_role":null,"preview_key":null,"instance_id":"10503","replacing_instance_id":null,"use_cache":null,"publish_timezone":"America/Chicago","seo_title":"People.com John Mellencamp Announces Greatest Hits Tour with Some Help from Pal Sean Penn and a 'Jack & Diane' Sing-Along (Exclusive)","details":null}},{"id":"2357","page_id":"5348","blurb_html":"","at":"2026-01-13 06:00:00","is_sticky":"0","position":null,"timezone":"America/Chicago","display_time":"0","sticked":"0","page":{"id":"5348","site_group_id":null,"site_id":null,"path":"/news/live-and-in-person-2024-spring-tour-vip-packages-ticket-details","title":"Dancing Words Tour The Greatest Hits VIP Packages Ticket Details","name":null,"html":"We are offering VIP Ticket Packages on The Dancing Words Tour 2026

Packages will go on sale via a pre-sale for Mellencamp.com members before going on sale to the general public. The package pre-sale will be at the same time as the Mellencamp.com Pre-Sale through the TOUR page. Limit of 8 per order. Quantities are very limited so act quickly!

ULTIMATE SCARECROW VIP LOUNGE PACKAGE

One premium reserved ticket in the first 3 rows*
Invitation to the pre-show Scarecrow VIP Lounge including:
Light appetizers and themed cocktails and mocktails (2 drink tokens included)**
Custom display showcasing John Mellencamp’s iconic career
Interactive games and photobooth opportunities
One rideshare voucher per order to be used on the night of the show
Ultimate Scarecrow VIP Lounge Package ONLY gift item
Commemorative VIP laminate, lanyard and VIP lounge wristband
AUTOGRAPHED John Mellencamp VIP tour poster
Specially designed VIP gift item
Pre-show merchandise shopping before the general public
Photo opportunity in front of the VIP backdrop to commemorate your evening***
Dedicated VIP entrance (where available)
On-site VIP host

*Locations may vary by venue, please see specific date for details

**Local liquor laws apply

***NO Artist participation

PINK HOUSES VIP LOUNGE PACKAGE

One premium reserved ticket in the first 10 rows*
Invitation to the pre-show Scarecrow VIP Lounge including:
Light appetizers and themed cocktails and mocktails (1 drink tokens included)**
Custom display showcasing John Mellencamp’s iconic career
Interactive games and photobooth opportunities
Commemorative VIP laminate, lanyard and VIP lounge wristband
John Mellencamp VIP tour poster
Specially designed VIP gift item
Pre-show merchandise shopping before the general public
Photo opportunity in front of the VIP backdrop to commemorate your evening***
Dedicated VIP entrance (where available)
On-site VIP host

*Locations may vary by venue, please see specific date for details

**Local liquor laws apply

***NO Artist participation

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SMALL TOWN PREMIUM TICKET PACKAGE

One premium reserved ticket to the show* (PL1)
Commemorative VIP laminate and lanyard
John Mellencamp VIP tour poster
Specially designed VIP gift item
Pre-show merchandise shopping before the general public
Dedicated VIP entrance (where available)
On-site VIP host

*Locations may vary by venue, see specific date for details

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","created_at":"2026-01-20 15:36:24","created_by_user_id":"13","publish_at":null,"unpublish_at":null,"is_head_revision":"1","revision_status":null,"page_type_id":"5","layout":"article/main","description":"","robots":null,"image":"https://s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/busites_www/mellencamp/pages/meta/img_8245_1697729561.jpg","video":"","audio":"","into_head":"","before_body":"","path_aliases":"","redirect_to":"","redirect_header":null,"keywords":"News","language_id":"1","allowed_role":null,"preview_key":null,"instance_id":"10081","replacing_instance_id":null,"use_cache":null,"publish_timezone":"America/Chicago","seo_title":"Live and In Person 2024 Spring Tour VIP Packages Ticket Details","details":null}},{"id":"2345","page_id":"5298","blurb_html":"","at":"2026-01-13 06:00:00","is_sticky":"0","position":null,"timezone":"America/Chicago","display_time":"0","sticked":"0","page":{"id":"5298","site_group_id":null,"site_id":null,"path":"/news/mellencamp-com-john-mellencamp-dancing-words-tour-the-greatest-hits-pre-sale","title":"Mellencamp.com John Mellencamp Dancing Words Tour The Greatest Hits Pre-Sale Ticket Details ","name":null,"html":"Mellencamp.com will offer a pre-sale tickets beginning Wednesday, January 21st @ 10am local venue time running through January 22nd at 11:59pm local venue time.

Please go to the TOUR page for ticket purchase links and the pre sale password. Public Tickets go on sale January 23 @ 10am local venue time.

MELLENCAMP.COM Dancing Words Tour PRE-SALE INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1 - Register to become a member of the Mellencamp.com

Step 2 - Consult the details of your show on the TOUR.

Step 3 - Return to Mellencamp.com the morning of your show's pre-sale and log in to the website.

Step 4 - On the TOUR page, approximately 5 minutes before the pre-sale begins, we will post a pre-sale ticket password ONLY for logged in members. You MUST REFRESH the TOUR page in your browser to see the password","created_at":"2026-01-15 18:03:11","created_by_user_id":"13","publish_at":null,"unpublish_at":null,"is_head_revision":"1","revision_status":null,"page_type_id":"5","layout":"article/main","description":"","robots":null,"image":"https://s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/busites_www/mellencamp/pages/meta/static_1280x884_johnmellencamp_2026_national_presale_1767728372.jpg","video":"","audio":"","into_head":"","before_body":"","path_aliases":"","redirect_to":"","redirect_header":null,"keywords":"News","language_id":"1","allowed_role":null,"preview_key":null,"instance_id":"10477","replacing_instance_id":null,"use_cache":null,"publish_timezone":"America/Chicago","seo_title":"Mellencamp.com John Mellencamp Dancing Words Tour The Greatest Hits Pre-Sale","details":null}},{"id":"2308","page_id":"5069","blurb_html":"","at":"2025-10-23 05:00:00","is_sticky":"0","position":null,"timezone":"America/Chicago","display_time":"0","sticked":"0","page":{"id":"5069","site_group_id":null,"site_id":null,"path":"/news/billboard-ume-s-bruce-resnikoff-honored-john-mellencamp-f-bombs-antisemitism-at-ambassadors-of-peace-gala-2025","title":"Billboard: UME’S Bruce Resnikoff Honored, John Mellencamp F-Bombs Antisemitism At Ambassadors of Peace Gala 2025","name":null,"html":"

Billboard.com

More than 550 entertainment industry leaders gathered in Los Angeles on Sunday (Oct. 19) for Creative Community for Peace’s (CCFP) seventh annual Ambassadors of Peace gala to promote dialogue and unity through the arts. The event was held at the Beverly Park residence of Haim Saban, chairman and CEO of Saban Capital Group.

This year’s honorees were Bruce Resnikoff, president/CEO of Universal Music Enterprises; Jonathan Strauss, CEO of Create Music Group; David Kohan, showrunner and executive producer of Will & Grace and Mid-Century Modern; his wife, Blair Kohan, partner and board member at United Talent Agency; and actor Jerry O’Connell.

The event featured a performance by John Mellencamp, who said, “I don’t like to call it antisemitism. It’s too polite a word for what it really is. Hatred is what it really is. And I may just be a guy with a guitar and sing some songs, but I promise this to the Jewish people: I will remain a staunch ally to you guys as long as I’m on this earth. And to the Jewish haters, I say f—k you.”

“In order to make a difference, sometimes we need to get out of our comfort zone, and that’s what I’m doing tonight,” Resnikoff said. “In the Jewish community, especially during an epidemic of undeniable and widespread antisemitism, we will always need more voices, and particularly in the music industry. CCFP brings caring people together to help amplify our voices, and I’m proud to do my part tonight.”

Strauss added, “Great companies and great cultures are not built in an echo chamber. Disagreement doesn’t mean division; it means engagement. And there’s nothing worse than apathy.”

CCFP chairman and co-founder David Renzer opened the event and said, “We have to push back. We have to educate. We believe in coexistence. We believe in the power of music and arts and culture to help build bridges and that it should not be shut down.”

Ari Ingel, CCFP executive director, added, “Jewish pride means knowing where we come from and taking control of where we are going. It means speaking Hebrew with joy, wearing your Magen David in the open, loving Israel, not with blind nationalism, but with eyes wide open, with commitment, with critique and care.”

Among those paying tribute to this year’s honorees were Ringo Starr, Def Leppard, Paul Rudd, Nick Kroll, Rebecca Romijn, Howie Mandel, Mayim Bialik, Debra Messing, Greg Berlanti, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos.

Artists and entertainment leaders in attendance included Gene Simmons of KISS; Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records; Gary Barber, co-founder Spyglass Media Group; Suzanne de Passe, co-chairwoman of de Passe Jones Entertainment Group; Jody Gerson, CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group; Jacqueline Saturn, president of Virgin Music; Michael Rotenberg, founder and partner at 3 Arts Entertainment; David Zedeck, global co-head of Music at UTA; Jacob Fenton, UTA partner; Larry Rudolph, founder and CEO of 724 Entertainment; and Phylicia Fant, global head of music industry & culture collaborations at Amazon Music.

Previous Ambassador of Peace honorees include Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr., Grammy-winning songwriter Diane Warren, reggae star Ziggy Marley, music mogul Scooter Braun, chairman & CEO of Sony Music Latin America Afo Verde, and CEO and co-chairman of Warner Records Aaron Bay-Schuck.

More information on Ambassadors of Peace can be found on the event’s website.

","created_at":"2025-10-23 18:35:31","created_by_user_id":"13","publish_at":null,"unpublish_at":null,"is_head_revision":"1","revision_status":null,"page_type_id":"5","layout":"article/main","description":"","robots":null,"image":"https://s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/busites_www/mellencamp/pages/meta/john_mellencamp_225_1761244526.jpg","video":"","audio":"","into_head":"","before_body":"","path_aliases":"","redirect_to":"","redirect_header":null,"keywords":"News","language_id":"1","allowed_role":null,"preview_key":null,"instance_id":"10430","replacing_instance_id":null,"use_cache":null,"publish_timezone":"America/Chicago","seo_title":"Billboard: UME’S Bruce Resnikoff Honored, John Mellencamp F-Bombs Antisemitism At Ambassadors of Peace Gala 2025","details":null}}]