Don McLean at STNJ

The writer of one of the top songs of the 20th century, Don McLean, will bring “American Pie” and other classics to the State Theatre stage! Don McLean is a Grammy® Award honoree, a Songwriter Hall of Fame member, a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and 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, McLean is one of the most revered and respected songwriters in American history. After paying his dues in the New York club scene in the late ‘60s, 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 the lyrics to “American Pie” was auctioned by Christies, selling for just over $1.2 Million. In 2019, he was honored 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.

In 2020, McLean landed a new recording contract with Time Life, with whom he released a catalog of recordings as well as a new album, Still Playin’ Favorites. In 2021 “American Pie” was featured in the Avengers’ Black Widow and the Tom Hanks movie, Finch. That same year, McLean received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and celebrated the 50th anniversary of “American Pie.”