Don McLean Online

Welcome to the official Don McLean website, home of the latest news, reviews, video and fan interaction. We hope you enjoy the new modern look and the features we’ll be adding soon. Don McLean writes:

“Thanks for taking an interest in this page and in my activities. I have been singing since I was a small child but once I began to play the guitar, I formed in my mind the idea that perhaps I could write songs. Simple rock songs like ‘Teenager in Love’ could be played with the same chords over and over. I’ve taught my young daughter how to play this tune, it’s that simple. Folk songs were also everywhere in the fifties and the guitar was perfect for them. A simple, beautiful song will inspire most musicians to try to write. Complicated, pretentious and non-melodic music is a turn-off. So are lessons. Keep music in your life and have fun with it and after a time it will grow on you and you will understand the language of song.”

Sincerely,
Don McLean

Don McLean’s superstar status is always attributed to his remarkable song, ‘American Pie’ which, in 2000, once again topped the charts worldwide, this time recorded by Madonna. Back in 1972, ‘Vincent‘ (’Starry Starry Night’), taken from the American Pie album gave Don McLean a second number one hit single and another landmark entry in the history of popular music.

Between the heady years of 1971 and 2000, Don McLean released over 20 albums and scored major chart successes with ‘Everyday’ (1973), ‘Mountains of Mourne’ (1974), ‘Crying’ (1980), ‘Castles in the Air’ (1981), ‘Since I Don’t Have You’ (1981), ‘You Can’t Blame the Train’ (1987) and again with ‘American Pie’ in the UK in 1991.

In 2003, Don’s song, ‘The Grave’, was recorded by George Michael in protest at the Iraq War and in 2005 Don released a career retrospective, Rearview Mirror, which included new versions of some of his best songs including ‘Vincent’ and ‘Empty Chairs’. Don McLean’s greatest honour came in 2004 when Don was inaugurated into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame.

In 2007, Don McLean shared his life story in Alan Howard’s biography, ‘The Don McLean Story: Killing Us Softly With His Songs‘. 

The Don McLean Story

 The Don McLean Story: Killing Us Softly With His Songs by Alan Howard. For the first time Don McLean shares his life story in this 420-page biography. “…I wanted to counter the urban myths about me and get the full story out before someone else did…” (Don McLean). More details and purchase direct.

 Reader Comments:

“Thanks Alan for your brilliant biography of Don McLean. Although I’ve been a fan since the very early days, I’d found out very little about the man himself so it was fascinating. It was also an interesting social history of the 50’s and 60’s in the USA and the wheelings and dealings of the music industry. I couldn’t put it down!” Anne Carter

“Congratulations Alan on capturing Don’s life so well - a fabulous read - I highly recommend this excellent book to all - fans and just the curious - you won’t be disappointed.” Bob Gregg.

“…Alan Howard did a terrific job in not just sharing Don’s story, but revealing a personal side of Don rarely seen by the public.” Jim Monaghan, WDHA radio, N.J.