Singer-Songwriter Don McLean Reflects On "The Day The Music Died" On 58th Anniversary Of Tragic Plane Crash

February 3rd continues to be a date that resonates in the rock world, in part, because of Don McLean's enduring song "American Pie"...


"American Pie" Singer Commemorates Historic Day By Re-Issuing Remastered Vinyl Hit Record, Auctioning Handwritten Lyrics

Buddy Holly

On February 3, 1959, a chartered aircraft crashed in Mason City, Iowa just minutes after takeoff claiming the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. Richardson – “The Big Bopper” – and the pilot, Roger Peterson.

The fateful day was coined “The Day The Music Died” by Don McLean in his hit “American Pie.” The song was released in 1971 and spent four weeks at No. 1 in 1972. In 2001, thirty years later, the Recording Industry of America named the it the fifth greatest song of the 20th century.

“Buddy Holly was only 22 years old when he died on February 3, 1959. By that time he had recorded something like 60 sides and everyone of them was a hit song and most were hit records. Even the Beatles can not compare to the magnitude of this contribution. The music he made, he invented himself with very little help from others,” said Don McLean.

McLean recently re-released “American Pie” in celebration of its 45th anniversary. Music lovers can now hear his classic songs on their original vinyl format. The single has been newly remastered from analog tape by Robert Vosgien and the lacquers cut by Ron McMaster, both at Capitol Studios in Hollywood.

As the anniversary of the tragic plane crash approaches, McLean has not forgotten the day that inspired his magnum opus. One of McLean’s four handwritten copies of the lyrics to “American Pie” was auctioned by Nate D. Sanders Auctions on January 26, 2017 with the bidding starting at $100,000. It is the second copy to be offered to the public. The first was sold in 2015. The Harvard University Library has a copy, and the final copy is said to have been given to a close friend of McLean. The lyrics are on eight pages of McLean’s personal stationery in blue ink, featuring the American Pie album art of the gold thumbs up and his signature.

Also in remembrance of the lives lost in the accident, The Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock, Texas will have a day-long schedule of events commemorating the anniversary. Events will include free admission to the Buddy Holly Gallery, J.I. Allison House and the First Friday Art Trail. For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.mylubbock.us and go to the Special Events section.

Don McLean Tour Dates
Feb. 24 - Cocoa Beach, Fla. - Cocoa Beach Seafood & Music Festival
Feb. 25 - Beverly Hills, Calif. - Saban Theatre
March 3 - Shipshewana, Ind. - Blue Gate Theater
March 17 - Bow, Wash. - Skagit Valley Casino Resort
March 17 - Bow, Wash. - Skagit Valley Casino Resort
April 6 - New York, N.Y. - B.B. King’s Blues Club
April 7 - Alexandria, Va. - The Birchmere Music Hall
April 8 - Winston-Salem, N.C. - Reynolds Auditorium
May 5 - Chicago, Ill. - City Winery
June 15 - Del Mar, Calif. - San Diego County Fair
June 17 - Cabazon, Calif. - Morongo Casino Resort & Spa
Sept. 16 - Rocky Mount, Va. - Harvester Performance Center

For the most up-to-date information and all of McLean’s tour dates please visit Don-McLean.com.