Artist:Don McLean
Song:American Pie
Album:Singers & Songwriters Vol. 1
Folksinger Don McLean will forever be associated with his much discussed smash hit American Pie. The popularity of the song probably surprised him more than anyone. He was born Oct. 2, 1945 in New Rochelle, NY. He was performing in New York City folk clubs in the mid 60s. He wrote a song about Vincent Van Gogh called Vincent. MediaArts allowed him to record the album Tapestry in 1969. It didn't sell but Perry Como had a hit with the McLean song And I Love Her So and United Artists signed McLean to a contract and American Pie was released in 1971. Not only was the song a huge 8 minute hit on Top 40 radio but the meaning of the song was endlessly discussed. Radio stations were sending lyrics to listeners. The short version is the song is about That day in 1959 when Buddy Holly, Richie Valens & The Big Bopper died in a plane crash and how Rock 'N' Roll died with them. The follow up Vincent was also a smash. After that, McLean went back to being a folksinger to the unending horror of United Artists. He had a bit of a revival in 1980 but except for a self released 2004 Christmas CD, McLean hasn't recorded in years. He still tours. This Singers & Songwriters comp is an OK various artists comp from Warner Special Products including Harry Chapin, Arlo Guthrie & Todd Rundgren. It has the full version of American Pie. Don McLean would probably agree that American Pie's success was a fluke. But it is a classic. Here's the video for American Pie by Don McLean.
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