In celebration of “Legends of Rock: John Mellencamp,” the newest permanent exhibition at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Mellencamp will join iHeartMedia classic rock “Q104.3” WAXQ New York morning host Jim Kerr for a conversation that will be broadcast on certain iHeartMedia classic rock, adult hits, classic hits, and variety-formatted radio stations across the country.
“iHeartRadio Icons with John Mellencamp” will air live from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at 5pm (ET) on Thursday, Sept. 29, the day the exhibit opens and will feature a live performance from Mellencamp, an interview with Kerr about his career and the exhibit, and a special tour announcement.
“John is one of the great singer-songwriters of our time, who has had a profound impact on music and culture,” said John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises at iHeart and Chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “We are thrilled to be there in Cleveland to broadcast this special honor for such an influential artist.”
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Legends of Rock exhibit has expanded to four floors with artifacts from Prince, Stevie Nicks, Bruce Springsteen, The Roots, Jimi Hendrix. It now adds Mellencamp to the popular, growing exhibit.
“Legends of Rock: John Mellencamp” will see artifacts including the suit worn in promotional photos for Mellencamp’s 2003 album “Trouble No More,” his 1976 Fender Telecaster Custom guitar played onstage extensively and the studio tracking chart for “Jack and Diane” from 1981 and a guitar gifted to Mellencamp by David Bowie. Representing his art will be an oil painting by Mellencamp himself, Backbone (2022).
The John Mellencamp Fan Day experience on Sept. 29 will include highlights from Mellencamp’s 2008 induction and Rock Hall moments screening all day in the Ahmet Ertegun Exhibition Hall, an interactive Garage Takeover where fans can learn, play or sing Mellencamp songs in the Jam Room with actual instruments, and a Long Live Rock photo opportunity for fans.