The song has carried its creator all over the world, from New York to England, and all the way to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. We hear its tune and immediately, some part of the chorus comes to mind. âThe day the music diedâ resonates with so many music lovers that folk singer/songwriter Don McLeanâs entire body of work is sometimes overshadowed by his hit, âAmerican Pie.â Hear much more of the music McLean has to offer when he performs at the Riley Center on Saturday, June 22, at 7:30 p.m. A pre-show party will take place at 6 p.m.
With student riots going on outside the studio door there in Berkeley, Calif., McLean recorded his first album, âTapestry,â in 1969. Heâd been singing and touring for several years at that point. But his career trajectory changed drastically just two years later, with the 1971 release of his album âAmerican Pie.â In 2003, the single of the same name was placed in the Grammy Hall of Fame, and McLean followed suit the next year, with his 2004 induction into the Songwritersâ Hall of Fame. Since âAmerican Pie,â he has recorded more than 20 studio albums, with the most recent one released in 2009.
Tickets are $45 and $39 at the MSU Riley Center box office, which is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tickets can be purchased online at www.msurileycenter.com or by calling the box office at 601-696-2200.