PRNewsFoto/Mercury/UMeYou can’t spell Mellencamp without LP! With that in mind comes word that John Mellencamp will be reissuing five of his classic 1980s albums on 180-gram vinyl June 10, both individually and in a box set titled The Vinyl Collection 1982-1989. The LPs getting re-released are 1982’s American Fool, 1983’s Uh-Huh, 1985’s Scarecrow, 1987’s The Lonesome Jubilee, and 1989’s Big Daddy.
American Fool was Mellencamp’s breakthrough album, released when he was known by the stage name John Cougar,although the liner notes declare the album was written and co-producer by John Cougar Mellencamp.The chart-topping record features “Jack and Diane” and “Hurts So Good,” which peaked at #1 and #2, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100. American Fool has sold more than five million copies in the U.S.
Uh-Huh saw the singer/songwriter officially reintroduce his surname into his moniker. The album peaked at #9 on the Billboard 200, and included the top 10 hits “Pink Houses” and “Crumblin’ Down,” as well as “The Authority Song.” The record has sold more than three million copies in the U.S.
Scarecrow reached #2 on the Billboard 200, and yielded the top-10 singles “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.,” “Small Town” and “Lonely Ol’ Night.” Like American Fool, it was certified five-times platinum for sales of more than five million copies.
The Lonesome Jubilee made it to #6 on the Billboard albums chart, and included the top-10 hits “Cherry Bomb” and “Paper in Fire,” as well as “Check It Out.” The album moved three million copies in the States.
Mellencamp closed out the ’80s with Big Daddy, which peaked at #7 on the Billboard 200. The platinum-selling album included the top-20 single “Pop Singer” and the memorable tune “Jackie Brown.”
The new vinyl versions of all five albums have been cut from the original analog master tapes.
As previously reported, Mellencamp is scheduled to return the road this fall for a new series of U.S. tour dates in support of his latest album, 2014’s Plain Spoken. The trek kicks off with an October 11 show in Worcester, Massachusetts.
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