In the lyrics for Don McLean’s immortal mega-hit ‘American Pie’ it says “…bye-bye, Miss American Pie…”. But now it means “…hi hi, Mister American Pie…”! The creator of the probably biggest pop music evergreen is back. The hit celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and McLean will embark on a 35-date European tour in 2022.
As tragic as the backstory behind the song ‘American Pie’ is with the much too early death of the new rock’n’roll-hope Buddy Holly, the track is also magnificent and legendary. And ‘American Pie’ still goes to heart as soon as originator Don McLean plays this classic at his concerts. Still, it's worth remembering that the 76-year-old composer has written and sung numerous other melodic and harmonic successes in his decades-long career with "Vincent (Starry Starry Night)," "Castles in the Air," "And I Love You So," and "Cryin’," all of which will be heard and revel in along with newer pieces on the upcoming tour.
The eight-and-a-half-minute ballad “American Pie” has been making history since its release in 1971. Alongside songs by other icons such as Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Woody Guthrie, and Aretha Franklin, McLean’s composition was also voted “Song of the 20th Century”. Handwritten lyrics to the song were auctioned off for more than $1.2 million in 2015, and the composition was added to the Library Of Congress National Recording Registry two years later. Here, you’ll only find a few selected evergreens, such as “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”. So much for the cultural significance of Don McLean and his 1971 stroke of genius!
In addition to the depth of content and language and the melodic class, the century piece has other special features as well. The not only musically, but also business and legally trained New Yorker had the expression “American Pie” registered as a trademark at the time.
Over the years, the song has been covered again and again by music icons like Madonna and Garth Brooks. Rapper Drake repeatedly sampled McLean tunes and hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur also cited him as an important influence.
Accordingly, the complete discography of the legendary and still active singer/songwriter is also significant. Among other things, Don McLean has a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame and was inducted into the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriters’ Hall Of Fame in 2004.
And he never gets tired of writing new songs and new stories. In 2018, the sound senior released his 19th studio album, ‘Botanical Gardens’ which received rave reviews. Songs from it subsequently proved themselves live and will maybe even find their way into the setlist next year, alongside ‘American Pie’ and all the other feats from this decades-spanning and unparalleled composition and performance career.
UK
Sunday 11/09/2022 Cardiff / St Davids
Tuesday 13/09/2022 Ipswich / Regent Theatre
Wednesday 14/09/2022 Birmingham / Symphony Hall
Friday 16/09/2022 Bath / Forum
Saturday 17/09/202 Torquay / Princess Theatre
Sunday 18/09/2022 Bournemouth / Pavilion Theatre
Tuesday 20/09/2022 Brighton Dome
Wednesday 21/09/2022 Southend / Cliffs Pavilion
Friday 23/09/2022 Manchester / Bridgewater Hall
Saturday 24/09/2022 Gateshead / Sage
Sunday 25/09/2022 Glasgow Royal / Concert Hall
Tuesday 27/09/2022 Edinburgh / Usher Hall
Wednesday 28/09/2022 York / Barbican
Friday 30/09/2022 Leicester / De Montfort Hall
Saturday 01/10/2022 Sheffield / City Hall
Sunday 02/10/2022 Liverpool / Philharmonic Hall
Tuesday 04/10/2022 London / Palladium
Friday 07/10/2022 Dublin / 3 Arena
EUROPE
Sunday 9/10/22 Nijmegen, Holland / De Vereeniging
Monday 10/10/22 Amsterdam, Holland / Carre Theater
Friday 14/10/22 Bergen, Norway / Peer Gynt Salen
Saturday 15/10/22 Stavanger, Norway / Kuppelhallen
Sunday 16/10/22 Oslo, Norway / Sentrum Scene
Tuesday 18/10/22 Gothenburg, Sweden / Lorensbergsteatern
Thursday 20/10/22 Turku, Finland / Logomo
Friday 21/10/22 Helsinki, Finland / Kuulttuuritalo
Sunday 23/10/22 Stockholm, Sweden / Gota Lejon
Monday 24/10/22 Malmo, Sweden / Palladium
Tuesday 25/10/22 Greve, Denmark / Portalen
Thursday 27/10/22 Hamburg, Germany / Fabrik
Friday 28/10/22 Neuruppin, Germany / Kulturkirche
Saturday 29/10/22 Berlin, Germany / Admiralspalast
Tuesday 01/11/22 Antwerp, Belgium / De Singel
Saturday 12/11/22 Munich, Germany / Prinzregententheater
Sunday 13/11/22 Linz, Austria / Posthof
For tickets and more information, visit www.donmclean.com.
