Don McLean

Don McLean (born Donald McLean III, 2 October 1945, New Rochelle, New York) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist whose music draws on folk, pop and rock traditions. He became a prominent figure in the early 1970s singer-songwriter movement. McLean is best known for the long-form single “American Pie” and for “Vincent”, both of which became widely recognised popular songs of the era.

McLean grew up in the New York area and developed an interest in folk and popular music while still at school, later performing in clubs during the late 1960s. After a period of touring and writing, he released his debut album, Tapestry, in 1970. His breakthrough came with the album American Pie (1971), released during a period when narrative songwriting and acoustic-based arrangements were central to US and UK popular music.

“American Pie” became a major international hit and established McLean as a mainstream recording artist, with its lyrics prompting extensive discussion and interpretation. The American Pie album also included “Vincent”, inspired by Vincent van Gogh, which became one of his best-known songs alongside “Empty Chairs”. McLean continued to record throughout the 1970s, with songs such as “And I Love You So” gaining long-term recognition through later recordings by other artists.

In the 1980s he returned to the charts with a cover version of Roy Orbison’s “Crying”, which became a notable hit in the UK and other territories. McLean continued releasing studio albums and live recordings and maintained a touring schedule that drew on both his early-1970s catalogue and later material. His songs have also remained present through high-profile cover versions and periodic renewed media attention.

McLean’s total worldwide record sales have often been reported at over 40 million. His legacy is closely tied to “American Pie”, which remains one of the most famous narrative pop songs of the 20th century, and to “Vincent”, which has endured as a modern standard. His work is frequently cited in accounts of 1970s popular songwriting and continues to be performed and recorded by a wide range of artists.