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American singer-songwriter renowned for the iconic 1971 ballad 'American Pie' and poetic tribute 'Vincent'.Emerging in the 1970s folk scene, McLean achieved global fame with his magnum opus 'American Pie', an allegorical epic reflecting on the evolution of rock music. His introspective lyrics and acoustic stylings cemented him as a defining voice of the singer-songwriter movement.

• 'American Pie' (1971) references the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. Richardson ('The Big Bopper'), dubbed 'The Day the Music Died' in its lyrics. McLean witnessed the cultural shift as a paper boy delivering news of Holly's death.
• For decades, McLean refused to fully explain 'American Pie's' symbolism, stating: 'It means I never have to work again.' In 2015, he auctioned the original manuscript and notes for $1.2 million, revealing partial interpretations.
• His haunting ballad 'Vincent' (1971), inspired by Van Gogh's painting 'Starry Night,' became a surprise worldwide hit despite its unconventional subject matter and melancholic tone.
• McLean's career faced a lull after his 1970s peak but resurged in 1980 with a chart-topping cover of Roy Orbison's 'Crying.' His later work includes albums exploring American roots music.
• In 2021, McLean was charged with domestic violence (later dismissed), creating controversy during his touring years. He received a Songwriters Hall of Fame induction in 2004.