Completely random and useless question

I was listening to the radio today, and I started wondering...

When did John Cougar become John Mellancamp, and WHY??

(Why do I want to know this? Because I'm a dork, that's why. )

I think it was in the late '90's. He started off being John Cougar Mellencamp and then just dropped the Cougar altogether. I don't know why.

ETA - I am pretty sure it has something to do w/his Indian roots, tho

I think I know...

I think when he first came out...he was forced into a stage name...but then his father died (?) and he wanted to go back to his name...so he slowly changed it...John Cougar Mellencamp...and now just John Mellencamp

ETS: I think the change to John Cougar Mellencamp was in the late 80s...

Ohhhhhh!!! That makes sense! Grassy ass!