Don McLean (born October 2nd 1945) Don McLean is a folk musician best known for his song 'American Pie' and the album of the same name.
Musical career: Don McLean released his debut album 'Tapestry' in 1970 through Mediarts. His break came with his second album, the number one 'American Pie', which was released when United Artists Records took over Mediarts the following year. The title single became his only song to top US charts, while next single 'Vincent' did so in the UK. 'American Pie' references the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and JP Richardson, as well as various other musical events like Woodstock.
His self-titled third album was released in 1972 and featured the songs 'Dreidel' and 'If We Try', the latter of which was later covered by Olivia Newton-John.
Bob Elfstrom released a Don McLean documentary entitled 'Till Tomorrow', detailing the events of a bomb scare at his Columbia University concert.
Album four 'Playin' Favorites' was the next year's release featuring 'Mountains of Mourne' and a cover of Buddy Holly's 'Everyday'.
In 1974, he released the Joel Dorn produced 'Homeless Brother' which included the US Adult Contemporary Chart number one 'Wonderful Baby', later covered by Fred Astaire.
McLean signed with Arista Records for 1977 album 'Prime Time', but changed to EMI for 1980's 'Chain Lightning' - the most popular song from which was UK number one 'Crying'. Millennium Records re-released the album.
1987 saw the release of the 'Love Tracks' album and in 1991 he sang 'American Pie' on 'Top of the Pops'.
1995's 'The River of Love' was released on Curb Records, with subsequent releases being the first on his own Don McLean Music label.
McLean was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005.
In 2009, he released the album 'Addicted to Black' which included a poem by William Shakespeare.
Personal life: Don McLean was born in New Rochelle, New York and developed a passion for music in his teens. His asthma interrupted his studies but his love of music never waned. He became friends with his heroes Erik Darling and Fred Hellerman of the Weavers while at Iona Preparatory School. He attended Villanova University for a short time before embarking on a music career, later attending a night school at Iona College.
He lives in Maine with his wife Patrisha and two children.
Biography by Contactmusic.com