John Mellencamp: ‘Look, I’m Not For Everyone Anymore’

John Mellencamp is well aware he's past his hit-making/Top 40 days of the 1980s, and he's more than okay with that. He just wishes more fans were okay with it, too.

These days, when he's touring as a solo headliner, Mellencamp is much more comfortable in intimate theaters. In a new interview with The Washington Post, he shared that Pete Seeger once told him, "Keep it small, but keep it going." It's advice he's taken to heart, but now he has some advice for fans.

Mellencamp told WaPo that he wants people who attend his theater shows to use similar etiquette as you would when attending a Broadway show. He also noted he doesn't really do "concerts" anymore and that his shows are more like "performances."

In typical blunt fashion, Mellencamp said, "Look, I'm not for everyone anymore. I'm just not, and if you want to come and scream and yell and get drunk, don't come to my show."

If you're looking for an example of what not to do at a Mellencamp show now, his March 17 show at the Stranahan Theater in Toledo, Ohio is a prime example. During the show, Mellencamp brought things to a screeching halt due to some hecklers.

According to a review from The Toledo Blade, Mellencamp had it, and at 9:13 PM, he walked off the stage after saying, "Y'know what? Show's over." Mellencamp would return to the stage about five minutes later and resume the show, but the outlet noted, " ... It was obvious he wasn't happy about it."

Video of the incident surfaced, which can be watched via TikTok due to NSFW language. While telling a story a story to the crowd between songs, someone yelled, "Play some music." The heckle was met by boos from the rest of the crowd. Mellencamp responded with, "What do you think I've been doing, you c---sucker?"

The retort was met with cheers, and Mellencamp continued, "Here's the thing, man. You don't know me. You don't f---ing know me. Hey Joe, find this guy and let me see him after the show."

Right after his response, another person then yelled for Mellencamp to play "Authority Song." This then led to Mellencamp to say, "Guys, I can stop this show right now and just go home. Tell you what I'm gonna do. Since you've been so wonderful, I'm gonna cut about 10 songs out of the show. Here we go."

The singer-songwriter then played a little bit of "Jack & Diane," and that was when he halted the show.

Rock and roll has taught the world many lessons. Perhaps one of its most underrated is this: You don't have to be tall to be a giant rock star.

In fact, some of the biggest names in rock history could be classified as "short kings."

What's a "short king" you may ask? First coined by comedian/writer Jaboukie Young-White, a short king is a slang term of endearment for a man who is under 5'9", according to Urban Dictionary.

Scroll through the gallery below to see some of rock's greatest short kings.