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Don McLean, the legendary singer-songwriter behind timeless hits like "American Pie" and "Vincent," was celebrated in Los Angeles during two special events this week. McLean took part in a TalkShopLive® session followed by a SiriusXM Town Hall hosted by Lou Simon on the SiriusXM '70s on 7 channel. The exclusive SiriusXM event welcomed dozens of devoted fans for an intimate conversation about McLean’s storied career and enduring musical legacy.
The day was further highlighted when McLean was presented with plaques commemorating prestigious RIAA Gold & Platinum certifications for his timeless ballad "Vincent." Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) President & CEO Bruce Resnikoff presented the awards, recognizing both Gold and Platinum accolades for the song. During the presentation, Resnikoff praised McLean’s enduring impact on music history and his continued digital influence, with more than 250 million global streams of "Vincent."
Originally released on the United Artists label in 1971 as part of McLean’s seminal American Pie album, "Vincent" resonated with audiences worldwide, achieving worldwide chart. "Vincent," inspired by the life and art of Vincent van Gogh, is celebrated for its evocative lyrics and heartfelt acoustic arrangement. Often subtitled "Starry Starry Night," the song remains one of McLean’s most cherished works and a cornerstone of his illustrious catalog.
"It’s humbling to see how ‘Vincent’ continues to touch people after all these years,” said McLean. “This song was born out of my admiration for Vincent van Gogh’s genius and humanity, and it’s an honor to see it recognized with Gold and Platinum certifications. I’m grateful to my fans, the music community, and everyone who has kept this song alive.”
SiriusXM host Lou Simon, a respected authority on classic hits, led a compelling discussion with McLean during the event. SiriusXM continues to celebrate iconic artists and their music, offering fans exclusive content and opportunities to connect with legendary performers like McLean.
For more information on Don McLean, visit www.donmclean.com. To catch highlights from the SiriusXM Town Hall, tune in to SiriusXM '70s on 7.
Don McLean is a GRAMMY Award honoree, a Songwriter Hall of Fame member, and a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. His smash hit “American Pie” resides in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry and was named a Top 5 Song of the 20th Century by the Recording Industry of America (RIAA). A New York native, Don McLean is one of American history's most revered and respected songwriters. After paying his dues in the New York club scene in the late 1960s, he went on to score mega-hits like “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night),” “Castles in the Air” and many more. His catalog of songs has been recorded by Madonna, Garth Brooks, Josh Groban, Drake, “Weird Al” Yankovic, and countless others. In 2015, McLean’s handwritten manuscript of “American Pie” lyrics was auctioned by Christie's, selling for just over $1.2 Million. 2019 honored Don with a star on the Las Vegas Walkway of Stars, and his song “And I Love You So” was the theme for Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s wedding. Don landed a new recording contract with Time Life in 2020, with whom he released a catalog of recordings and a new album ‘Still Playin’ Favorites.’ In 2021, Don’s “American Pie” was featured in the Avengers’ Black Widow and the Tom Hanks movie Finch. McLean received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, celebrated the 50th anniversary of “American Pie,” and recorded a version of the song with a cappella group Home Free. In 2022, McLean received six Telly Awards for his collaboration with international heavyweight Tyson Fury, released American Pie: A Fable children’s book, and was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame. In 2023, the Telly award-winning documentary The Day The Music Died was released on DVD and Blu-Ray. In unexpected news, President Yoon of South Korea sang “American Pie” for a delighted audience of White House guests in Washington, D.C. McLean was inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame during a public ceremony along with Darius Rucker, Joe Galante, and Duane Eddy in Nashville, Tennessee.
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