MONROE - Don McLean, who wrote one of the most well-known songs of the 1970s, is coming to Monroe.
McLean, who wrote "American Pie," will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center. He is one of the featured performers this season for the Monroe Arts Center.
He's a down-to-earth man who answers his own phone. He doesn't use public relations firms to handle the media. No matter the size of the city or its location, he's willing to talk to local media.
McLean, 63, continues to write music and continues to perform before sold-out crowds.
"I'm a tortured artist," McLean laughed. "When I'm on the road I want to be home and when I'm home I want to be on the road."
He's a little older now and he thinks a little more about what fate has in store for him.
"I've been reading about people dying. I guess when you get into your early 60s you think about it," he said.
As a young man, and like many people of his generation who later became famous musicians, McLean was influenced by Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley.
"Elvis got to me," he said.
But he was also influenced by such groups as the Weavers and the Kingston Trio as well as Roy Orbison and Marty Robbins.
Over the years he was able to meet some of his early musical idols, he said. He met Orbison, Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan.
"It was an honor (to meet them)," he said. "In college I learned all of their songs."
His songs have been recorded by Elvis and Perry Como.
Of all the popular songs McLean has written, songs such as "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)" and "Crying," he's best known for "American Pie," the song written about the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. The song quickly became a hit and it's remained popular for more than 30 years.
Web sites have been created to explain the song, verse by verse. Some people disagree about what specific references mean.
McLean views all the attention and interest it as forms of flattery.
"It's a form of a compliment," he said. "I'm delighted. I still love playing it (in concert). I love the song but I love the reaction I get when I play it."
But McLean said he's happy with the recordings he's made. He's especially happy with the fact that people still enjoy his songs and still want to hear them.
McLean, who wrote "American Pie," will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center. He is one of the featured performers this season for the Monroe Arts Center.
He's a down-to-earth man who answers his own phone. He doesn't use public relations firms to handle the media. No matter the size of the city or its location, he's willing to talk to local media.
McLean, 63, continues to write music and continues to perform before sold-out crowds.
"I'm a tortured artist," McLean laughed. "When I'm on the road I want to be home and when I'm home I want to be on the road."
He's a little older now and he thinks a little more about what fate has in store for him.
"I've been reading about people dying. I guess when you get into your early 60s you think about it," he said.
As a young man, and like many people of his generation who later became famous musicians, McLean was influenced by Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley.
"Elvis got to me," he said.
But he was also influenced by such groups as the Weavers and the Kingston Trio as well as Roy Orbison and Marty Robbins.
Over the years he was able to meet some of his early musical idols, he said. He met Orbison, Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan.
"It was an honor (to meet them)," he said. "In college I learned all of their songs."
His songs have been recorded by Elvis and Perry Como.
Of all the popular songs McLean has written, songs such as "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)" and "Crying," he's best known for "American Pie," the song written about the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. The song quickly became a hit and it's remained popular for more than 30 years.
Web sites have been created to explain the song, verse by verse. Some people disagree about what specific references mean.
McLean views all the attention and interest it as forms of flattery.
"It's a form of a compliment," he said. "I'm delighted. I still love playing it (in concert). I love the song but I love the reaction I get when I play it."
But McLean said he's happy with the recordings he's made. He's especially happy with the fact that people still enjoy his songs and still want to hear them.