“American Pie” singer Don McLean — who remains to be performing and touring — was born on today in historical past, Oct. 2, 1945, in New Rochelle, New York.
He’s without end related together with his iconic hit “American Pie” — named one of many High 5 Songs of the twentieth Century in a ballot by the Recording Business Affiliation of America and the Nationwide Endowment for the Arts.
Born to Elizabeth and Donald McLean, the younger Don McLean developed an curiosity in music at an early age, says his official web site. A five-year-old McLean “would spend hours listening to the radio and information that had been round the home.”
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He started studying find out how to play music, performing for family and friends.
As an adolescent, McLean determined to dedicate his life to music. “I made the appropriate determination once I determined at age 15 that I wished to chuck all of it and be a singer and a musician, and I did not care what occurred,” he informed Fox Information Digital in a January 2022 interview.
Singer Don McLean, maybe greatest recognized for his 1972 mega-hit “American Pie,” was born in New Rochelle, New York, on today in historical past, Oct. 2, 1945. (Mark Sullivan/Getty Pictures)
“That is what I discovered. And it was the very best factor I ever did,” he stated.
Alongside the way in which, he made positive to get a university diploma.
In 1968, McLean earned a BA from Iona School with a significant in finance and a minor in philosophy, his web site notes.
McLean recorded his first album, “Tapestry,” in 1969.
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The album obtained “good evaluations and achieved some business success,” stated McLean’s web site.
“There’s something to be stated for a terrific tune that has endurance.”
“Tapestry” remodeled McLean “from an unknown to an underground sensation” — and he started to play in nightclubs and at schools.
Among the many hit songs from the album: “Castles within the Air” and “And I Love You So.”
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Two years later, in 1971, McLean made the leap from nightclubs to tremendous stardom with the discharge of his second studio album, “American Pie.”
The tune was recorded on Might 26, 1971, and first performed on the radio a month later.
It was launched as a single in November 1971, says his web site.
McLean determined at age 15 that he was going to pursue music as a full-time profession. After experiencing some success together with his 1969 debut album “Tapestry,” he hit it large in 1971 with “American Pie.” For the previous a number of years, he is been touring in celebration of the 50-year anniversary of “American Pie.” (Jason Kempin/Getty Pictures)
“American Pie” — a folk-rock “cultural touchstone” in regards to the lack of innocence of the early rock ‘n’ roll era — hit No. 1 on the Billboard chart on Jan. 15, 1972, after spending eight weeks on the charts, notes the Historical past Channel’s web site.
“American Pie” held this file for almost half a century.
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The file was damaged in Nov. 2021 when “All Too Effectively (10 Minute Model) (Taylor’s Model)” by Taylor Swift hit No. 1 at a size of 10 minutes and 13 seconds.
“There’s something to be stated for a terrific tune that has endurance,” McLean informed Billboard on the time.
Inductee Don McLean attends the 2022 Musicians Corridor of Fame and Museum Live performance and Induction Ceremony on Nov. 22, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Terry Wyatt/Getty Pictures)
“‘American Pie’ remained on prime for 50 years and now Taylor Swift has unseated such a historic piece of artistry. Let’s face it, no one ever desires to lose that No. 1 spot, but when I needed to lose it to anyone, I positive am glad it was one other nice singer/songwriter equivalent to Taylor,” he stated.
“American Pie” obtained 4 Grammy nominations, together with for Album of the 12 months and Tune of the 12 months.
McLean has amassed greater than 40 gold and platinum information worldwide in his profession.
Whereas the tune didn’t win Grammy Awards when it was launched, “American Pie” was inducted into the Grammy Corridor of Fame in 2002.
In 2004, McLean was inducted into the Songwriters’ Corridor of Fame.
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He’s additionally well-known for a lot of different hits, together with “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night time)” and “Crying.”
He is amassed greater than 40 gold and platinum information worldwide in his profession.
Don McLean on stage throughout one in all his current performances. His iconic tune “American Pie” was inducted into the Grammy Corridor of Fame in 2002. (Getty Pictures)
Many prime singer-songwriters have launched covers of his songs, together with Madonna — who in 2000 recorded a canopy model of “American Pie” that on launch within the U.Ok. entered the official singles chart at No. 1 and made the U.S. top-30 on air play factors alone, in line with McLean’s web site.
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When EMI then launched a brand new “Better of Don McLean” CD, it gave McLean his first top-30 album chart entry in nearly 20 years, his web site additionally notes.
McLean was inducted into the Songwriters’ Corridor of Fame in 2004.
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McLean has been touring as a part of his “American Pie” fiftieth anniversary celebration — which he acknowledged just lately to Fox Information Digital with some amusement has now gone a couple of years past the 50-year anniversary mark.
Maureen Mackey of Fox Information Digital contributed reporting.
