Tour is in support of the 50th anniversary of “American Pie”
Don McLean is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his hit “American Pie” this year and will tour extensively in 2022 in support of it. The singer/songwriter has shared initial US tour dates that include stops in Hawaii, Iowa, North Dakota, Florida and Arizona.
While the trek kicks off in January with three shows in Honolulu, Hawaii, the first stop in the Lower 48 will be at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, on “The Day The Music Died,” February 3, 2022. This historic night will honor Richie Valens, Buddy Holly, and The Big Bopper as it marks the 63rd anniversary of the 1950 plane crash that killed the American rock ‘n’ roll musicians. The date and venue were set as the kickoff to the American Pie 50th Anniversary World Tour in 2021, but was postponed due to the pandemic.
Most can recite McLean’s hit single “American Pie” by heart, but not all know the meaning behind the song. This fatal day is known as the “The Day the Music Died” coined by McLean’s 1971 hit “American Pie,” written to honor the legacies of the early rock legends who lost their lives in the tragic plane crash.
The eight-and-a-half-minute ballad “American Pie” has been making history since its release in 1971. Alongside songs by other icons such as Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Woody Guthrie, and Aretha Franklin, McLean’s composition was also voted “Song of the 20th Century.” Handwritten lyrics to the song were auctioned off for more than $1.2 million in 2015, and the composition was added to the Library Of Congress National Recording Registry two years later.
Over the years, the song has been covered again and again by music icons like Madonna and Garth Brooks. Rapper Drake repeatedly sampled McLean tunes and hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur also cited him as an important influence.
Last year, the legendary singer/songwriter teamed with award-winning a capella group Home Free for a remake of the song and subsequently released a music video that won three Telly Awards in 2021.
In August, McLean was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6314 Hollywood Boulevard in front of The Pie Hole restaurant at the corner of Hollywood and Vine.
Last month, European dates were announced for the 50th Anniversary American Pie World Tour 2022. The European leg kicks off September 11th in Cardiff with stops in Birmingham, Manchester, Glasglow, Liverpool, London, Dublin, Holland, Amsterdam, Stockholm, and more before wrapping November 13th in Linz, Austria.
More are expected soon.
Don McLean – 50th Anniversary American Pie World Tour 2022 US Tour:
January 28, 2022 – Honolulu, HI – Blue Note
January 29, 2022 – Honolulu, HI – Blue Note
January 30, 2022 – Honolulu, HI – Blue Note
February 3, 2022 – Clear Lake, Iowa – Surf Ballroom
February 5, 2022 – Grand Forks, ND – Chester Fritz Auditorium
February 11, 2022 – The Villages, FL – Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center
February 12, 2022 – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
February 14 – 18, 2022 – Rock Legends Cruise
February 19, 2022 – Clearwater, FL – Capitol Theatre
February 24, 2022 – Tucson, AZ – Fox Theater
