Larry Crane (October 8, 1956) is an American rock musician and songwriter from

Seymour, Indiana Seymour is a city in Jackson County, Indiana, United States. Its population was 21,569 at the 2020 census. The city is noted for its location at the intersection of two major north–south and east–west railroads, which cross each other in th ...

. From 1976 until 1991, he appeared alongside

John Mellencamp John J. Mellencamp (born October 7, 1951), previously known as Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American singer-songwriter. He is known for his catchy brand of heartland rock, which emphasizes traditional instrument ...

as guitarist and contributor to the arrangements and production of the Mellencamp sound (often labelled as "

heartland rock Heartland rock is a genre of rock music characterized by a straightforward, often roots musical style, often with a focus on blue-collar workers, and a conviction that rock music has a social or communal purpose beyond just entertainment. The ge ...

.")

History

As Mellencamp's guitarist, Crane contributed to twenty ''Billboard'' charted singles, including "Ain't Even Done With The Night", "Hurts So Good", "Jack and Diane", "Hand to Hold on To", "I Need a Lover", "Crumblin' Down", "Pink Houses", "Rain on the Scarecrow", "Small Town", "Lonely Ol' Night", "Rumbleseat", "R.O.C.K in the U.S.A.", "

Paper in Fire "Paper in Fire" is a song by American rock singer John Mellencamp John J. Mellencamp (born October 7, 1951), previously known as Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American singer-songwriter. He is known for his cat ...

", "Check It Out", "Cherry Bomb", "Martha Say", "Jackie Brown", and "Pop Singer". Though not often recognized as a songwriter, Crane did receive a co-writer credit for "Play Guitar" on the '' Uh-Huh'' album. After the release of ''Big Daddy'', Crane left the Mellencamp band due to his impression that "he and his band mates were underpaid." Since leaving the band, Crane has launched a solo career. During his thirty-plus year career, he has also toured and recorded with several other influential musicians, including

John Prine John Edward Prine (; October 10, 1946 – April 7, 2020) was an American singer-songwriter of country-folk music. He was active as a composer, recording artist, live performer, and occasional actor from the early 1970s until his death. He ...

, Steve Earle, Bonnie Raitt,

Rosanne Cash Rosanne Cash (born May 24, 1955) is an American singer-songwriter and author. She is the eldest daughter of country musician Johnny Cash and Vivian Liberto Cash Distin, Johnny Cash's first wife. Although she is often classified as a country art ...

, Carl Perkins,

James McMurtry James McMurtry (born March 18, 1962, in Fort Worth, Texas) is an American rock and folk rock/americana singer, songwriter, guitarist, bandleader, and occasional actor (''Daisy Miller'', ''Lonesome Dove'', and narrator of ''Ghost Town: 24 Hours i ...

Mitch Ryder Mitch Ryder (born William Sherille Levise, Jr.; February 26, 1945) is an American musician who has recorded more than 25 albums over more than four decades. Career Ryder formed his first band, Tempest, when he was at Warren High School, and th ...

, Lou Reed, and John Fogerty. He has also collaborated with legendary producer Bob Johnston.

Discography

Solo recordings

Recordings with John Mellencamp

Other recordings

* 'Time to pay (film) * '' Falling from Grace'', 1992

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crane, Larry 1956 births Living people people from Seymour, Indiana American rock guitarists American male guitarists Songwriters from Indiana Guitarists from Indiana 20th-century American guitarists 20th-century American male musicians American male songwriters