The Don McLean Story: Killing Us Softly With His Songs

by Alan Howard

Don McLean is one of America’s most enduring singer-songwriters and is forever associated with his classic hits ‘American Pie’ and ‘Vincent (Starry Starry Night)’. Since first hitting the charts in 1971, Don has amassed over 40 gold and platinum records world-wide and, in 2004, was inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. His songs have been recorded by artists from every musical genre, most notably Madonna’s No. 1 recording of ‘American Pie’ in 2000 and George Michael’s version of ‘The Grave’ in 2003, sung in protest at the Iraq War. Don McLean is immortalized as the subject of the Roberta Flack/The Fugees No. 1 hit, ' Killing Me Softly With His Song'.

The author has interviewed McLean at length about his childhood and subsequent career as a singer, songwriter and performer. With access to the family archive and with contributions from key figures from throughout his career, this biography tells McLean’s professional life story from his birth in 1945 to the present day.

In addition to the published dates found below, Don McLean will also perform shows in Castlebar and Killarney as part of his 2007 UK and Ireland concert tour.

Venue info will be posted soon - check the "Concert Dates" link from the home page for details.

The Don McLean Story: Killing Us Softly With His Songs

The Don McLean biography will go on sale in the New Year (2007). A special edition will be offered that will be signed and sent to you by Don McLean. The main edition will be available from the usual outlets such as amazon shortly afterwards. This 400-page book tells Don's story from his birth in 1945 to his recent inauguration into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame.

Further details will be posted soon.

OCTOBER 2007

7th - Cardiff, St Davids Hall
8th - Birmingham, Symphone Hall
9th - Manchester, Bridgewater Hall
11th - Newcastle, City Hall
13th - Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall
14th - Sheffield, City Hall
16th - Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall
17th - Belfast, Waterfront Hall
19th - Dublin, Late Late Show (RTE television)
20th - Dublin, Olympia Theatre
21st - Dublin, Olympia Theatre
23rd - Brighton, Brighton Centre
24th - Bristol, Colston Hall
26th - London, Royal Albert Hall
27th - Canterbury, Marlowe Theatre (Canterbury Festival)

London Date Confirmed

Don McLean will perform in concert at the Royal Albert Hall on October 26th 2007. Prior to this show, Don will perform 12 concerts in major cities in the UK and Ireland.

UK Tour October 2007

We are delighted to reveal that Don McLean is returning to England in October 2007 for his most significant overseas concert tour in 16 years. Dates will be posted soon and will include the Royal Albert Hall in London and other major venues around the country.

This follows Don signing up with a new London agent who is excited about bringing Don back to the scene of some of his greatest concerts.

Christmastime with Don McLean

The complete collection of Don McLean Christmas recordings available on one CD direct from Don McLean Records. As it's Christmas soon, download the 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer' mp3 for free or listen to the streamed version.

Enjoy the complete set of Don McLean Christmas recordings:

Purchase direct from Starry Night Music Inc at http://store.americanpie.com/. Items are usually dispatched within two working days.

Some people run after honor. Don McLean prefers to write songs and sing.

"I just do my thing," he says. "I don't need to see my name in lights."

Perhaps he has seen his name in lights often enough. Twenty-two of McLean's songs reached top spots on pop, country and contemporary charts. His "American Pie" was named one of the five greatest songs of the century in a poll compiled by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Read more at:

http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2006/10/05/arts/feature01.txt

Don has completed an early-October mini-tour in the US. Here are a few of the fans' comments:

"We attended your concert 7 Oct 2006 at Carlisle, PA. Thank You for some incredible memories and THANK YOU for just being Don McLean! Our next residence will be Sugarloaf, Maine. Hopefully very soon! Howard. hl.  "

"I was blessed with the opportunity to see your show in Carlisle, PA. The performance was great. Hopefully I can catch your show again sometime. It's great to live just minutes from the Carlisle Theater and it's great that you came to our town. Thank you Don for a wonderful performance." Greg.

"I caught you last night at the State Theater in Falls Church, VA. You put my date and I in a very good frame of mind. We had forgotten those memories and feelings you stirred. Thank you. God Bless." Jane.

"We attended your show at the Carlisle Theater on Saturday night and it was one of the most enjoyable nights I have had in ages.
Your music makes us think, smile, cry and relax. One of the special moments was "And I Love You So" and I bet you could have heard a pin drop during "Vincent" very moving. American Pie, well, what can I say. You are a great performer and we enjoyed all the genre of music you played that night. Very fine evening. We wish you the best with your music. I would like to see you again sometime. I would go again in a heartbeat.
Thank you, Cheryl  "

"Thanks, Don, for making my brothers' experience at your recent concert such a joy. Sorry I could not attend, and thanks also for dedicating an autograph or two to my late brother Jack. You're the best.". Jerry.

"We attended your concert 7 Oct 2006 at Carlisle, PA. Thank You for some incredible memories and THANK YOU for just being Don McLean!" Howard.