Meeting Don McLean......

The 20 lucky Don McLean fans who had earlier watched the London Apollo sound check were given 'After Show Passes' so that they could stay behind and meet Don McLean properly. We were joined by a few extra fans who managed to skillfully avoid the tight security present at the Apollo. Don was very generous with his time and did not leave until everyone had had all the autographs, photos and questions answered that they wanted. Here are a few photographs and memories:

David Fulton writes: "About five minutes after leaving the stage, he very kindly came back to chat to about thirty or forty die-hards, where he answered many assorted questions and signed his autograph on anything we asked him to. I managed to get a few words in myself, asking him about the Martin DM40 guitar, at which he told me that they had all been sold. And how well he remembered the 1972 Manchester Odeon concert, (which I attended). He said he remembered it very well.
He must of sat at the edge of that stage for something not far off an hour. He was in very good spirits and it was evident that he had enjoyed himself."

Don meeting the fans after the show.

Cookie writes: "The highlight for me came after the show (as if the whole day hadn't been one highlight after another). I didn't want to appear too indulgent, but I had brought the odd thing or two to be signed by Don.

You know, the usual stuff, the cover sheet music to AP and Vincent, some classic old photos, the pictorial single cover of Vincent/Castles in the Air........ Well, Don signed them all, and looked at each photo with great interest..("Did I REALLY used to wear shirts like that back in 1972?")

Then, Tony Migliore, the pianist and musical maestro came over. I shook his hand, and introduced myself. Tony then took from his pocket and handed me the new 'Don McLean Sings Marty Robbins CD. He told me he had been given it to give to me by his friend and mine, Mary from Nashville, who is the event coordinator for Don's concerts. The CD had already been signed by Don, to my wife and I, and when Tony told Don who I was, I was thrilled to hear Don say, "I know, we've met already!"

That was the icing on my cake for the day."

A kiss for Leana

In response to a recent question posted recently on our fan forum page, Bill H. notes that "...Funnily enough one of the ladies from Skye asked Don after the show in Hammersmith if he was a Christian. From what I heard of the answer he said he was, but not necessarily in the way they might understand the word (something along those lines!!).

When then asked if he believed in God he very firmly said yes."

Gill Boys comments: "Well I know I wasn't the only nervous person there. Having been in awe of the man's talent for the best part of 30 years I was afraid my illusions would be shattered by some self opinionated Superstar. Far from it! We got to chat to a highly intelligent, courteous man with an excellent sense of humour. And what's more I did get to ask him if he still plays the banjo. Yes, but it's too much bother to cart it about for 2 songs!!! Sing Babylon Don and I'll carry it anywhere for you!!"

Meeting Loekie (who travelled from Holland specially for this event.)

One amazing story from this whole event was the surprise trip to England arranged by Geoff Novak for his wife (pictured below meeting Don McLean). To celebrate their wedding anniversary he bought tickets for the Apollo show. Just one small extra was required - two return tickets from New Zealand!

All the way from Dunedin, New Zealand just to meet Don McLean!

Finally, Bill Hamilton shares some well considered thoughts on Don McLean, England 2000:

"As I gradually bring myself down from the highs of Tuesday and Wednesday, I thought I would contribute a few fairly random thoughts that passed through my head today. Originally I was going to write a review of the Croydon concert, but I think that has already been more than adequately covered in the past couple of days…I hope that we lucky few who attended the concerts have given you even one-tenth of the sensations we experienced.

One thing that struck me immediately about both the concerts that I went to, and to a large extent the tour of 1997 in which I was lucky enough to catch 3 performances, is that Don is a lot less precious about his music now. I don’t know if this is a result of just being older (sorry Don!) or the happy place that he seems to have found in his life. Whatever the reason, it did appear to me that at certain times in the past he would (almost intentionally it seemed) play less accessible material in concert. I am talking probably about songs like Three Flights Up, Orphans of Wealth, Homeless Brother, The Legend of Andrew McCrew…maybe even Chain Lightning and Genesis. Now don’t get me wrong, I love each and every one of these songs and they are all masterpieces in their own way. However, I am not sure that they were always ideally suited to concert performances - perhaps fine for the diehard fans but maybe a bit ‘heavy’ for Mr and Mrs average. To me they are the sort of songs that you need to be in the right mood to listen to…more poetic than musical (geez I’m probably going to get fried for saying that!!). Anyway, ultimately the point I’m making is that I think the concerts flow much better without them.

Don has always had four songs that form the core of every performance. I won’t be tedious enough to name them here…I think you all know the ones I’m referring to. It does seem to me now that there is a fifth song that is a ‘must have’ ….and that is Crossroads. I think almost every post made about the concerts has rightly referred to it…it is simply stunning when performed live with just the piano accompaniment. Unfortunately, unlike the Premier League where there is always a Derby or a Southampton to relegate, I can’t suggest one of the existing 4 songs to ‘drop a division’. I have to say I did once go to a performance where Vincent was (almost unthinkably) omitted. If I recollect correctly it was the Albert Hall sometime in the early 80s…. anyone ever remember Pie being omitted??

Talking about big songs, I have been going round for the last two days singing (fortunately only to myself!) You Made Me a Mountain which I thought was another of many show stoppers…my tip for the top. I’m sure Don will just love that since it looks really hard to sing…like another Crying…Three Flights Up is a bit easier (s).

One final thought, and call me a sentimental old fool here, but the posting that really got to me (amongst many wonderful ones in the last few days) was the one by the 9 year old girl so excited about going to see Don at Liverpool at a cost which she duly noted as equal to her annual pocket money….I am sure she had a wonderful time and hope that it was worth foregoing a few candy bars. Still struggling with the reference to the ladies toilet though (s) !!


PS I am still gutted by the continued omission of Planet Noise from the live concert experience. Mind you, we got the extended version courtesy of the traffic at Hammersmith as we waited for the soundcheck..."

djf and Cookie displaying the prized 'after show' passes and, of course, the even more prized 'Don McLean Sings Marty Robbins' CD.

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Alan Howard