Don McLean Biography

Don McLean

Don McLean has recorded more than 20 albums in a musical career that has spanned more than 25 years. But most people are most familiar with his classic rock-n-roll anthem “American Pie” (1971) from the album of the same name. It spent four weeks atop the American pop charts. “Vincent,” a tribute to artist Vincent Van Gogh and his painting The Starry Night from the same album, also reached number one. Although none of his subsequent releases has reached the rarefied air of “American Pie” and “Vincent,” McLean has charted again with “Crying” (1980) and “Castles in the Air” (1981). In addition, he has been immortalized in “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” popularized by Roberta Flack. His latest release was Don McLean Christmas Dreams (1997).