JOHN COUGAR Miami

The sensational career of John Mellencamp (aka John Cougar aka Johnny Cougar aka John Cougar Mellencamp) was firmly propelled by this great pop track from mid '79. After his massive hit downunder: 'I need a lover' (we discovered him bigtime and first up!) Cougar dropped the Johnny that was listed on the 'A Biography' LP and issued the John Cougar album known as 'Miami' here in Oz. It had the added strength in the U.S of 'I need a lover' which was finally a hit in America a full year and a half after it made #5 in Australia. It was still only a #28 in December 1979. 'Miami' only made it to #31 in Australia, and yet I recall it getting a lot of exposure here. It would be another 3 years before Aussie audiences would see Cougar back in the charts in a big way. 'American Fool''s hit singles 'Hurt so good' and 'Jack & Diane' would make him a superstar. His intervening LP 'Nothin' matters and what if it did' kept his profile up at home, but failed to provide him with Top 40 success in Oz.