Singer John Mellencamp, 59, and wife Elaine, 43, one of the few rock solid couples on the rock and roll scene, have decided to end their marriage after 20 years together.
The holidays have seen a number of celebrity unions and break ups.
Actress Reese Witherspoon became engaged to talent agent Jim Toth and singer LeAnn Rimes and actor Eddie Cibrian also made plans to get hitched.
Actress Natalie Portman also announced her engagement to dancer Benjamin Millepied and Playboy founder Hugh Hefner and playmate Crystal Harris are also set to tie the knot.
Meanwhile, Girl’s Gone Wild’s Joe Francis and CBS reporter Christina McLarty have split after just two months of marriage.
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And, Miley Cyrus’s parents, Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus are estranged and heading for a divorce.
Mellencamp met his wife, (maiden name is Irwin) when she was hired to appear on the cover of his Whenever We Wanted album.
No reasons were given for the break up.
Publicist Bob Merlis also declined to say if the couple had filed for divorce.
“John and Elaine Mellencamp are proud of their 20 years together and are very happy with their accomplishments both as parents and as a family.
“They will continue to raise their two children in Indiana but have decided to call it a day as a couple,” their spokesman said.
Mellencamp has five children from his three marriages.
Michelle was borne out of his first marriage to Priscilla Esterline (1970–81); daughters Teddi Jo and Justice are from his second marriage to Victoria Granucci (1981–89); and sons Hud and Speck from his marriage to Irwin.
Mellencamp’s musical career has spanned nearly 40 years and he maintains a loyal fan base.
Beside such early rock hits as “Hurts So Good” and “Jack and Diane,” his later songs have become more bluesy and folk-rock oriented. He’s also written protest songs about the Iraq war and President George W. Bush.