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Don McLean is an iconic singer-songwriter known for enduring hits that have become cultural touchstones.
Don McLean is open to collaborating with Taylor Swift, seeing her as a peak in the new form of entertainment. Swift also sent flowers and a handwritten note to McLean after breaking his record for the longest No. 1 song.
Don McLean and vocal group Home Free collaborated on a re-recorded version of 'American Pie', which won three Telly Awards. This represented McLean's first studio collaboration.
Tyson Fury teamed up with Don McLean to remake 'American Pie'. McLean won six Telly Awards for the Fury-Whyte fight opening, featuring their collaboration.
Don McLean is an ambassador for Teen Cancer America and performed at their UCLA Health fundraising Backyard Concert in 2018, where he sang a duet with Ed Sheeran.
McLean received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Music Category at 6314 Hollywood Boulevard, in front of The Pie Hole restaurant.
Donald McLean III, born on October 2, 1945, in New Rochelle, New York, developed an early interest in music despite battling childhood asthma. His musical journey was significantly influenced by folk music, particularly The Weavers’ 1955 album “The Weavers at Carnegie Hall.” McLean’s father passed away when he was 15, and he went on to graduate from Iona Preparatory School in 1963. He briefly attended Villanova University before dropping out to pursue a career in music, performing in various venues across New York and Los Angeles throughout the 1960s.
McLean’s recording career began with his debut album, “Tapestry,” released in 1970 after facing numerous rejections. This album gained critical praise within the folk community though wider success was limited initially. His major breakthrough came with the 1971 album “American Pie.” The title track, an epic eight-and-a-half-minute folk rock song, became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972, popularizing the phrase “The Day the Music Died.” This success also brought renewed attention to “Tapestry.”
Beyond “American Pie,” McLean achieved further recognition with “Vincent,” a tribute to Vincent van Gogh, which also topped charts in the UK. He continued to release music, including the albums “Don McLean” (1972) and “Homeless Brother” (1974), and had another international number one hit in 1980 with his rendition of Roy Orbison’s “Crying.” His lengthy career of over five decades has seen his songs recorded by artists such as Elvis Presley, Madonna, and Drake, solidifying his impact on the music industry.
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