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• Don McLean is an American singer-songwriter. Although he has released over 20 albums, he is still defined by the title track of his 1971 album, American Pie. The song (an oddity of pop radio due to its running time of more than eight minutes) references the 1959 plane crash deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper, calling it "the day the music died." Another song from the same album, "Vincent" (about artist Vincent van Gogh), was also a #1 hit. McLean continues to record and tour today.

• Fast Facts

  1. Full name: Donald McLean
  2. Born: October 2, 1945
  3. Hometown: New Rochelle, New York
  4. Was friends with Jim Croce
  5. The Roberta Flack song "Killing Me Softly with His Song" was written about McLean

• Partial Discography

  1. 1970: Tapestry
  2. 1971: American Pie
  3. 1974: Playin' Favourites
  4. 1977: Prime Time
  5. 1980: Chain Lightning
  6. 1995: River of Love

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Simon & Garfunkel | Jim Croce | James Taylor | Bruce Springsteen | Neil Young | Chet Atkins | Billy Joel | Cat Stevens | Bob Dylan | John Mellencamp | Buddy Holly | Ritchie Valens | The Big Bopper

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