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Don McLean is a Grammy award honoree, a Songwriter Hall of Fame member, a BBC Lifetime Achievement award recipient, and his smash hit “American Pie” resides in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry and was named by the Recording Industry of America (RIAA) a top 5 song of the 20th Century. A New York native, Don McLean is one of the most revered and respected songwriters in American history. After paying his dues in the New York club scene in the late ‘60s, he went on to score mega-hits like “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night),” “Castles in the Air” and many more. His catalog of songs have been recorded by Madonna, Garth Brooks, Josh Groban, Drake, Weird “Al” Yankovic, and countless others. In 2015, one of McLean’s four handwritten manuscripts of the lyrics to “American Pie” was auctioned by Christies, selling for just over $1.2 Million. 2019 honored Don with a star on the Las Vegas Walkway of Stars and his song “And I Love You So” was the theme for Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s wedding. Now in 2020, Don signed a recording contract with Time Life/Warner Bros. Records to release his catalog of recordings as well as the much anticipated new album Still Playin’ Favorites, which will be released in the Fall. “American Pie” will be featured in the Avenger’s Black Widow and the Tom Hanks movie BIOS and much more to be announced. And when you think things are slowing down, not so for Don McLean! 2021 will mark the 50th anniversary of American Pie with a World Tour to follow.
Don McLean Hit “American Pie” Featured in New AppleTV+ Movie Finch Starring Tom Hanks
Don McLean’s beloved hit “American Pie,” makes its way into the new AppleTV+ sci-fi movie Finch starring Tom Hanks. Hanks plays “Finch Weinberg,” a robotics engineer who builds an AI sidekick to take care of his companion canine after he’s gone. Finch’s relatable and vulnerable side is revealed as he sings “American Pie” to himself when he is lonely and while making his way through a dust storm that might lead to his death. The song holds a tight grip on viewers as an emotionally commanding theme song heard at both the beginning and end of the film.
DON McLEAN ANNOUNCES INITIAL U.S. DATES FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY ‘AMERICAN PIE’ WORLD TOUR
In the lyrics for Don McLean’s immortal mega-hit “American Pie” it says “…bye-bye, Miss American Pie…”. But now it means “…hi hi, Mister American Pie…”! The creator of the probably biggest pop music evergreen is back. The hit celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and McLean will include U.S. dates during his 2022 world tour.
Fellow Performers & Friends Remember Don Everly
Don Everly, half of The Everly Brothers duo with his brother Phil, died Saturday in Nashville at age 84. The Everly Brothers are Country Music Hall of Fame members, inducted in 2001, and were instrumental in shaping rock and roll with such global classics as “Bye Bye Love,” “Wake Up, Little Susie,” and “All I Have To Do Is Dream.” The Everly Brothers were also members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry.
Fellow Performers & Friends Remember Country Music Legend Tom T. Hall
Country Music Hall of Fame legend Tom T. Hall died on Friday, August 20th. He was 85. Hall was nicknamed “The Storyteller” by Tex Ritter, another country great, for his songwriting style. His hits included “Harper Valley P.T.A.” which became a major crossover smash for Jeanie C. Riley in 1968, “That’s How I Got To Memphis,”, Homecoming,” “(Old Dogs, Children, and) Watermelon Wine,” “A Week in a Country Jail,” “I Love,” “Country Is”, “I Care,” and many more. His songs have been recorded by the likes of Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, and Loretta Lynn. Hall was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008 and was a Grand Ole Opry member since 1971. Rolling Stone included the Olive Hill, Kentucky native on their ‘100 Greatest Songwriters’ list.
DON McLEAN IMMORTALIZED ON HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD WITH STAR ON HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME
Don McLean, known for his mega-hit “American Pie,” which he wrote and performed, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Monday, August 16th at 6314 Hollywood Boulevard in front of The Pie Hole restaurant (corner of Hollywood and Vine).
Don McLean Reflects On The Passing Of Nanci Griffith
“Nanci was a lovely person. I worked with her on a TV special we did for PBS TV and on that show, we sang two duets. They were “And I Love You So” and “Raining in My Heart”. I never heard anyone sing harmony in a more beautiful way. We should have done an album together. At this taping in Austin, Texas she brought her father to see it. I really loved her spirit it was warm and loving and I’m really sorry to hear she has gone .”
– Don McLean
DON McLEAN’S “AMERICAN PIE” BOOKAZINE OFFICIALLY IN STORES!
“American Pie,” one of the most recognizable and sing-a-long songs, in which, RIAA named one of the top 5 songs of the 20th century, is an iconic anthem by American singer and songwriter Don McLean. Recorded and released on the American Pie album in 1971, the single was the number-one US hit for four weeks in 1972 starting January 15 after just eight weeks on the Billboard charts (where it entered at number 69). The song also topped the charts in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. In the UK, the single reached number 2, where it stayed for 3 weeks, on its original 1971 release, and a reissue in 1991 reached number 12. Now, 50 years later, the song “American Pie” has become the focus of a 96-page bookazine available everywhere magazines are sold. The special publication honors the song’s 50th anniversary with stories and photos of McLean through the years.
Avengers’ ‘Black Widow’ Tops Box Office Scores Opening Weekend
American actor David Harbour, star of Marvel Studios’ Black Widow (Brokeback Mountain, Quantum of Solace, The Green Hornet, Suicide Squad, Hellboy) has revealed it was his suggestion for Don McLean’s “American Pie,” to be included as a pivotal moment throughout the new motion picture. The usage of McLean’s unforgettable classic takes place in two separate settings, one as the “family” is leaving Ohio, and the second sets the tone during a dramatic scene that highlights the inner turmoil amongst the group and this song single-handedly gets them back on the right track.
“AMERICAN PIE” BY DON McLEAN + HOME FREE AVAILABLE NOW ON HOME FREE’S NEW PATRIOTIC ALBUM ‘LAND OF THE FREE’
As Independence Day approaches and people get in the “American” themed spirit, the all-vocal group Home Free, will be releasing a special salute to the red, white, and blue and unfurl their patriotic new album, LAND OF THE FREE, which will include their duet version of “American Pie” with Songwriter Hall of Fame member Don McLean. The album will be available on all streaming services today via Home Free Records.
Fellow Singer/Songwriters and Friends Remember and Mourn The Loss of B.J. Thomas
Few artists have left a more indelible mark on America’s musical landscape than B.J. Thomas. With his smooth, rich voice and unerring song sense, Thomas’s expansive career crossed multiple genres, including country, pop, and gospel, earning him CMA, Dove, and Grammy awards and nominations since his emergence in the 1960s.