File:DonMcLean-WalkOfFame(cropped).jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
Person · Open Library
- Born
- 1945
- Works
- 21
Top works
- Don McLean
- Closer to Heaven HB, B Format
- For the memories
- American Pie
- The songs of Don McLean
via Open Library + Wikidata
Film & TV
Acting
Donald McLean III (born October 2, 1945) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, known to fans as the "American Troubadour" or "King of the Trail". He is best known for his 1971 hit "American Pie", an eight-and-a-half-minute folk rock song that has been referred to as a "cultural touchstone". His other hit singles include "Vincent", "Dreidel", "Castles in the Air", and "Wonderful Baby",…
Known for
- The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean's "American Pie" — Self2022
- Gay Byrne's Late Late Moments — Self2020
- Buddy Holly: Rave On — Self2017
- Don McLean: American Pie — Self2017
- Greenwich Village: Music That Defined a Generation — Self2013
- The Real Love — Self2012
- When Woodstock Was Young — Self2009
- Hell's Kitchen — Self - Restaurant Patron2005
- Don McLean: Starry, Starry Night — as himself2001
- Behind The Music: The Day The Music Died — Self1999
via TMDB
Music · MusicBrainz
- Type
- Person
- Gender
- Male
- Country
- United States
- Active from
- 1945
Discography
- Tapestry1970
- American Pie1971
- American Pie1971
- Don McLean1972
- Vincent1972
- Playin’ Favorites1973
- Homeless Brother1974
- Solo: Live1976
- Prime Time1977
- Chain Lightning1978
via MusicBrainz · CC0
Listeners · Last.fm
- Listeners
- 1,685,462
- Total plays
- 18,583,255
Tags
Donald McLean III (born October 2, 1945) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. Known as the "American Troubadour" or "King of the Trail," he is best known for his 1971 hit "American Pie," an eight-and-a-half-minute folk rock song that has been described as a "cultural touchstone." His other hit singles include "Vincent", "Dreidel", "Castles in the Air", and "Wonderful Baby", as well as cover versions of Roy Orbison's "Crying" and the Skyliners' "Since I Don't Have You". <a href="https:
Recent publications · Crossref
5 total works indexed
- Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 354 diseases and injuries for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
· 2018 · cited 10,805x
- Global and regional mortality from 235 causes of death for 20 age groups in 1990 and 2010: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010
· 2012 · cited 10,734x
- Contracted Gaussian basis sets for molecular calculations. I. Second row atoms, <i>Z</i>=11–18
· 1980 · cited 9,352x
- A comparative risk assessment of burden of disease and injury attributable to 67 risk factors and risk factor clusters in 21 regions, 1990–2010: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010
· 2012 · cited 9,222x
- The Sloan Digital Sky Survey: Technical Summary
· 2000 · cited 8,823x
via Crossref · CC0
Quotes
- “As you can imagine, over the years I have been asked many times to discuss and explain my song "American Pie" I have never discussed the lyrics, but have admitted to the Holly reference in the opening stanzas. You will find many interpretations of my lyrics but none of them by me. … Sorry to leave you all on your own like this but long ago I realized that songwriters should make their statements and move on, maintaining a dignified silence.”
- “In light of the recent events in Texas, I have decided it would be disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA at their convention in Houston this week. I’m sure all the folks planning to attend this event are shocked and sickened by these events as well. After all, we are all Americans. I share the sorrow for this terrible, cruel loss with the rest of the nation.”
- “And if she asks you why,You can tell her that I told youThat I'm tired of castles in the air.I've got a dream I want the world to share,And castle walls just lead me to despair.Hills of forest green where the mountains touch the sky, A dream come true, I'll live there till I die.I'm asking you to say my last goodbye.The love we knew ain't worth another try.”
- “Every thread of creation is held in positionBy still other strands of things living.In an earthly tapestry hung from the skylineOf smouldering cities so gray and so vulgar,As not to be satisfied with their own negativityBut needing to touch all the living as well.”
- “And I love you soThe people ask me howHow I've lived till nowI tell them I don't know.I guess they understandHow lonely life has beenBut life began againThe day you took my hand.”
- “A long long time ago I can still remember how that music used to make me smile And I knew if I had my chance That I could make those people dance And maybe they'd be happy for a while. But February made me shiver With every paper I'd deliver Bad news on the doorstep I couldn't take one more step I can't remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride But something touched me deep inside The Day the Music Died.”
via Wikiquote · CC BY-SA
Key facts
- Born
- Donald McLean III , ( 1945-10-02 ) October 2, 1945 (age 80) , New Rochelle, New York , U.S.
- Genres
- Folk rock folk rock country
- Occupation
- Singer-songwriter
- Instruments
- Vocals guitar
- Years active
- 1964–present
- Labels
- United Artists EMI Curb Capitol
- Website
- don-mclean .com
via Wikipedia infobox
Wikidata facts
- Official website
- www.don-mclean.com
- Image
- DonMcLeanWestport2009.jpg
Show 4 more facts
- date of birth
- 1945-10-02
- Commons category
- Don McLean
- start of work period
- 1969-00-00
- P12749
- Maria Crescentia Höss
via Wikidata · CC0
~40 min read
Article
Donald McLean III (/məˈkleɪn/; born October 2, 1945) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. Known as the "American Troubadour" or "King of the Trail", he is best known for his 1971 hit "American Pie", an eight-and-a-half-minute folk rock song that has been referred to as a "cultural touchstone". His other hit singles include "Vincent", "Dreidel", "Castles in the Air", and "Wonderful Baby", as well as renditions of Roy Orbison's "Crying" and the Skyliners' "Since I Don't Have You".
McLean's song "And I Love You So" has been recorded by Elvis Presley, Perry Como, Helen Reddy, Glen Campbell, and others. In 2000, Madonna had a hit with a rendition of "American Pie". In 2004, McLean was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In January 2018, BMI certified that "American Pie" had reached five million airplays and "Vincent" three million. Though most of McLean's music is in the folk rock genre, he has experimented with easy listening, country, and other genres as well.