John Mellencamp Abruptly Halts Show Due to Hecklers

John Mellencamp played a show at the Stranahan Theater in Toledo, Ohio last night (March 17) and abruptly halted the show 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.

Hopefully, Mellencamp won't have to deal with hecklers when he appears on the Outlaw Music Festival Tour this summer. The festival tour finds Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson & Family teaming up with a varying guest lineup, which includes Mellencamp. Also part of the guest lineup are Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Billy Strings, Brittney Spencer, Celisse and Southern Avenue.

Tickets are on sale now with complete ticket details available at at BlackbirdPresents.com. A breakdown of each date's lineup is below.)

June 21
Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Alpharetta, GA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Celisse

June 22
PNC Music Pavilion, Charlotte, NC
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Celisse

June 23
Coastal Credit Union Music Park, Raleigh, NC
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Celisse

June 26
Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, VA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Celisse

June 28
Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview, Syracuse, NY
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Celisse

June 29
Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Celisse

June 30
PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Celisse

July 2
Xfinity Center, Mansfield, MA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Celisse

July 6
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Celisse

July 7
Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, PA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Celisse

July 29
North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, Chula Vista, CA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Brittney Spencer

July 31
Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Brittney Spencer

August 3
Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Brittney Spencer

August 4
Toyota Amphitheatre, Wheatland, CA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Brittney Spencer

August 7
Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater, Boise, ID
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Brittney Spencer

August 9
ONE Spokane Stadium, Spokane, WA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Brittney Spencer

August 10
Gorge Amphitheatre, George, WA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Billy Strings
Brittney Spencer

September 6
Somerset Amphitheater, Somerset, WI
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Southern Avenue

September 7
Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Southern Avenue

September 8
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, St. Louis, MO
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Southern Avenue

September 11
Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Southern Avenue

September 12
Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Southern Avenue

September 14
The Pavilion at Star Lake, Burgettstown, PA
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Southern Avenue

September 15
Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, MI
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Southern Avenue

September 17
Darien Lake Amphitheater, Buffalo, NY
Willie Nelson & Family
Bob Dylan
John Mellencamp
Southern Avenue

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.

Prince, who celebrates his birthday today (June 7) is a prime example of a rock and roll short king. In honor of his birthday, scroll through the gallery below to see which other rock stars are considered short kings.