Don McLean

Play Radio

3,292,230 plays (456,451 listeners)

Shop now at Amazon | Send Don McLean Ringtones to Cell
More options
Add to my Library
Don McLean (born October 2, 1945 in New Rochelle, New York) is an American singer-songwriter, most famous for his 1971 song “American Pie,” about the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper. The song spawned the phrase “The Day the Music Died,” referring to the day of the crash.

Early in his career, McLean was mentored by the folk legend Pete Seeger, and accompanied Seeger on his Clearwater boat up the Hudson River in 1969 to protest at environmental pollution in the river. The Clearwater campaign was widely credited for improving water quality in the Hudson River.

In 1980, McLean had an international number one hit with the Roy Orbison classic, “Crying.” Only following the record’s success overseas was it released in the U.S., becoming a top-ten hit in 1981. Orbison himself once described McLean as “the voice of the century,” and a subsequent re-recording of the song saw Orbison incorporate elements of McLean’s version.

In 1991, McLean returned to the U.K. top ten with a re-issue of “American Pie,” which nine years later became a worldwide smash all over again thanks to Madonna’s controversial cover.
Read more… Edit

Shouts: 195 shouts

Share this artist:

Top Albums

See more

Top Tracks

1
3,139
2  
923
3
229
3
229
5
207
6
184
7
155
8  
152
9
136
10
126
11
119
12
111
13
93
14
92
15
72
Buy all tracks at Amazon MP3
See more

Shoutbox

Leave a comment. Log in to Last.fm or sign up (it’s free).
  • Mullington

    Mountains O' Mourne....tune!

    21 days ago
  • miissweet

    last month
  • Kexet1

    beautiful!

    last month
  • JoelBeer

    Poet.

    last month
  • Wiracocha

    Love him!

    last month
  • Nakkinak

    awesome voice.

    December 2011
  • shivu4w

    Hope some day i meet u in person to thank u.............ever lasting music

    December 2011
  • StupidCupcake

    Vincent (Starry Starry Night) <3

    November 2011
  • ejtjjt

    high school listening,pretty good

    September 2011
  • aarsalankhalid

    Under-rated, lyric-master, artist

    September 2011
  • melpomene_idgie

    Amazing lyricist and vocalist. American Pie is an american classic; everyone heard it at least once and the patriotic know parts of the lyrics betweem the breakouts of the chorus.

    August 2011
  • davesantos

    such a lovely voice...

    August 2011
  • bilgee0629

    Great there's nothing to say but GREAT!

    August 2011
  • BeNgEE4

    He's contribution to music seems under-rated to me for some reason.

    August 2011
  • smiffy13

    I saw Don a couple of times in the 70's in the UK: the Cambridge Folk Festival and the Lincoln rock festival he never disappointed his fans, both excellant concerts.

    July 2011
  • killHer_

    Starry,Starry Night ♥

    July 2011
  • ewakx777

    <3

    June 2011
  • kolyaa

    empty chairs ♥

    June 2011
  • LaDyPuNkFUnk

    So underrated, it's sickening.

    June 2011
  • Nakkinak

    his cover of crying is flawless

    May 2011
See all 195 shouts

Videos

See more

Events

See more Add event

News

British Tour Dates 2010

4 Sep 2009 | from

Don McLean will be returning to Britain in May 2010, including a show at the Royal Albert Hall. 3rd May 2010 Symphony Hall (Birmingham) 4th May 2010 Colston Hall (Bristol) …

Add comment

See more

Listening Now

Top Listeners

See more

Recent Activity

Related Journals

See more

More Information

Links
Labels