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home > Direct from Don McLean |
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Direct From Don McLean |
We are incredibly fortunate that the subject of our website takes an active interest by supplying his latest news directly and by providing us with the unique material found on this page that will be treasured by all Don McLean fans old and new.
Also included here are various radio interviews. |
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Backstage with Don McLean |
Earlier this year, Ron Buck devised a set of questions that formed the basis of the most comprehensive interview with Don McLean about guitars ever undertaken. You can listen to the full interview by following the link on the Guitar Club menu below. As thanks to Ron for his efforts, arrangements were made for Ron to meet Don in person during his Uk tour in May 2003. Here is Ron's account at that meeting.
"It's great fun to read." (Don McLean). |
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Rolling Stone Review: Setting the Record Straight |
In 1973, Stephen Holden wrote a review of Don McLean's third album for the Rolling Stone magazine. The review was most vicious and as Don McLean recalls, it started "a wave of negative publicity which lasted for years".
There is nothing to be gained by giving this review any further publicity. It was a low and hurtful point in Don McLean's career: the review and the publicity that followed were wholly unjust and caused much damage.
However, few people know that the story did not end there. Feeling remorse for his actions, Holden eventually wrote to Don McLean in 1975 to apologize for his atrocity. Until now, this private letter of apology has never been made public. Don McLean has however sent us the letter and asked for it to be published here on this page. It should in some small way set the record straight. |
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Video. Don McLean talks about Buddy Holly |
In 1999, VH-1 broadcast a memorable documentary about the life of Buddy Holly. This has just been re-broadcast in the UK on channel 4. The documentary features Don McLean talking about Buddy and you can watch this clip here in RealVideo.
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The Buddy Holly Connection |
Buddy Holly is of course one of Don McLean's biggest influences and his untimely death in a plane crash in 1959 is immortalised in 'American Pie' as 'the day the music died'. Though Buddy Holly is a superstar today, his fame had almost vanished by the end of the 1960s. That all changed in 1971 with the release of 'American Pie' and it is often said that if it wasn't for Don McLean then nobody would have heard of Buddy Holly today.
In fact not only is Buddy's music highly popular, but his life story has been made into a successful movie and musical. The inspiration for the movie 'The Buddy Holly Story' was John Goldrosen's definitive biography of Buddy Holly written over a 12 month period in 1971-72.
John Goldrosen was one of the first to acknowledge Don McLean's success in rejuvenating interest in Buddy Holly. In 1975 John wrote to Don and this intriguing document has been made available to us by Don McLean. In it you will see how important 'American Pie' was in the Buddy Holly story. As Don says, "this is not patting myself on the back, it's just how it really was." |
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Don McLean Stage and Guitar Setup |
Don McLean has provided a detailed account of his guitar setup and also sent us the technical rider for his concerts.
Very interesting and unique documents. |
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Latest Releases
from Don McLean:
The Don McLean Story
Rearview Mirror
The Western Album
You've Got to Share
(songs for children)
Sings Marty Robbins
(studio album)
Starry
Starry Night
(CD, DVD, Video)
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