Bio
Don McLean is one of America’s most revered and enduring singer-songwriters, best known as the creator of “American Pie,” one of the most recognizable songs in popular music history. Born in New Rochelle, New York, McLean emerged from the 1960s folk scene before achieving international stardom with the landmark 1971 album American Pie. Its title song reached No. 1, entered the GRAMMY Hall of Fame and the Library of Congress National Recording Registry, and was named one of the five greatest Songs of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. In 2026, “American Pie” surpassed one billion streams on Spotify.
A Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, GRAMMY Award honoree, and recipient of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, McLean is also the writer and voice behind “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night),” “And I Love You So,” “Castles in the Air,” “Empty Chairs,” and “The Grave.” His recording of Roy Orbison’s “Crying” became an international hit, while his songs have been recorded or celebrated by artists including Perry Como, Madonna, George Michael, Garth Brooks, Josh Groban, Drake, and “Weird Al” Yankovic. In 2018, “And I Love You So” was played during the official wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
A landmark chapter in McLean’s recent career was the Paramount+ original documentary The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean’s American Pie. Premiering in the United States and internationally in 2022, alongside special theatrical screenings, the film gave McLean the opportunity to reveal the story and meaning behind his signature song while exploring its cultural history and continuing influence on generations of artists and listeners. The acclaimed, Telly Award-winning production was nominated for Best Music Documentary at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards and was subsequently released on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital platforms.
McLean has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has been inducted into both the Musicians Hall of Fame and the Music City Walk of Fame. In 2024, he made his Grand Ole Opry debut and released American Boys, a 13-track collection of original material. That year, “Vincent” received RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications and inspired the award-winning illustrated children’s book Vincent: Starry Starry Night.
More than six decades into his career, McLean remains an active recording artist and international concert performer whose songs continue to connect with audiences around the world.
For more information, visit donmclean.com.
