Veteran rock star prepares for tour by smoking while on treadmill (video)

ell better.”“You’re always one of my all-time favorites! Put the damn cigarettes down though,” an Instagram user added.Some fans supported Mellencamp’s unconventional approach to exercise by smoking on a treadmill. They praised his rebellious spirit, citing examples of others who defied health norms like Mellencamp.“Got to say the man’s [a] rebel! Man’s gonna do as he pleases!” a Facebook user said. “My dad was the same way, chained smoked til his last day. And died going fishing with his boots on. To each his own.”“Better to smoke and run, than to not run at all and just smoke,” another commented. “I’m buying my tickets.!! Love ya, John!”There were even comparisons to Taylor Swift, where a fan claimed that she also trained for her tour by singing while exercising, though not with cigarettes.Mellencamp, at 74 years old, is gearing up for nearly two dozen amphitheater shows this summer, marking a departure from his focus on smaller theater performances in recent years. While he has faced criticism for his behavior and interactions with fans in the past, his upcoming tour signals a return to the music and concert experiences that made him a rock star.“Fans can expect to hear Mellencamp’s best-known songs including ‘Pink Houses,’ ‘Jack and Diane,’ ‘Small Town,’ ‘Hurts So Good,’ ‘Authority Song,’ ‘Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First),’ as well as beloved tracks that he hasn’t performed live in ten plus years,” a press release announced earlier this month. The tour will also feature new music, with Mellencamp planning to release his next album, “Orphan Train,” in 2026.Although Mellencamp’s smoking-on-a-treadmill routine may raise some eyebrows, his dedication to his craft and commitment to giving fans an unforgettable experience remain unwavering. As he prepares to embark on another chapter of his storied career, fans eagerly anticipate the chance to hear his iconic hits and new music live on stage once more.