Reports: Mellencamp condemns antisemitism during Rock & Roll Hall of Fame speech

Singer-songwriter and Hoosier favorite John Mellencamp decried antisemitism and other forms of hatred Saturday during a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction speech for his longtime attorney, Allen Grubman, according to reports from Billboard, Variety and other outlets in attendance.

“Allen is Jewish, and I bring that up for one reason: I’m a gentile, and my life has been enriched by countless Jewish people," Mellencamp said as reported by Billboard, whose story the singer tweeted out Sunday.

"I cannot tell you how f---ing important it is to speak out if you’re an artist against antisemitism,” he continued. “I don’t give a f---, I don’t care (what you are). Here’s the trick: Silence is complicity. I’m standing here tonight loudly and proudly with Allen, his family and all of my Jewish friends and all of the Jewish people of the world."

Mellencamp: 'I urge you to speak out' against antisemitism

A Cleveland.com report included more from Mellencamp's speech: “I urge you to speak out, if you’re an artist, against antisemitism, against all forms of bigotry, all forms of hatred. Whenever you hear hate speech, whenever you hear someone saying something derogatory, we’re all human beings.”

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Though Mellencamp did not name anyone, his comments come after rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, made a series of antisemitic remarks last month, eventually triggering widespread backlash.

How to watch the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction

This year's Hall of Fame induction will air Nov. 19 on HBO. Grubman, an entertainment lawyer whose clients have also included Bruce Springsteen and Mariah Carey, received the Ahmet Ertegun Award, which is given annually to non-performers who have influenced rock 'n' roll creatives.

Mellencamp himself was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008. The museum opened a permanent exhibit on the Seymour native, Legends of Rock: John Mellencamp, in September.

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Rory Appleton is the pop culture reporter at IndyStar. Contact him at 317-552-9044 and rappleton@indystar.com, or follow him on Twitter at @RoryDoesPhonics.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Mellencamp reportedly speaks out against antisemitism at Hall of Fame