“American Pie” singer Don McLean — who is still performing and touring in 2023 — was born on this day in history, Oct. 2, 1945, in New Rochelle, New York.
He is forever associated with his iconic hit “American Pie” — which was named one of the Top 5 Songs of the 20th Century in a poll by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Born to Elizabeth and Donald McLean, the young Don McLean developed an interest in music at an early age, says his official website. A five-year-old McLean “would spend hours listening to the radio and records that were around the house.”
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He began learning how to play music, performing for friends and family.
As a teenager, McLean decided to devote his life to music. “I made the right decision when I decided at age 15 that I wanted to chuck it all and be a singer and a musician, and I didn’t care what happened,” he told Fox News Digital in a January 2022 interview.
“That’s what I learned. And it was the best thing I ever did,” he said.
Along the way, he made sure to get a college degree. In 1968, McLean earned a BA from Iona College with a major in…
