Throughout the 1970s Don McLean maintained a large and loyal Dutch and UK fan base. His frequent concert tours to both countries were always sold out meaning it was no surprise when Don returned to number 1 in 1980 with his recording of Roy Orbison and Joe Melson’s...

McLean wrote “Vincent,” also known as “Starry, Starry Night,” in the fall of 1970, while he was working for the Berkshire School District. He was living in the Sedgwick House, a beautiful Federal style house in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The Sedgwick family included...

“American Pie” is partly biographical and partly the story of America during the idealized 1950s and the bleaker 1960s. It was initially inspired by Don’s memories of being a paperboy in 1959 and learning of the death of Buddy Holly. “American Pie” presents an...

For about seven years from the late 1960s to the mid 1970s I knew the Seegers (Pete and Toshi) about as well as anybody. I worked with Pete Seeger frequently. He was very generous and encouraging at a time in my life when it meant a great deal to me. However, there...

Don McLean’s original recording of American Pie returned to the UK charts on February 12th, 40 years after its first release. In 1972 the song peaked at number 2; in 1991 it’s official re-release saw it climb into the UK top-10 and in 2000 Madonna’s version reached...

Canadian hip-hop and rap singer, Drake, has a new album out called Take Care, which features “Doing it Wrong”, a song based on two Don McLean compositions – “The Wrong Thing To Do” and “When A Good Thing Goes Bad” – from Don’s 1977 Prime...