American Pie: Wots The Story Behind This Great Song?

[solvitquick]

I've been a Don McClean fan forever and love "American Pie". But I still don't get the story. Is it about death of JFK, the Vietnam War, impending Nuclear War or all of these rolled up in one saga of bad news.
What caused "The Day The Day The Music Died" and when and how? Similarly why have the Father, Son and Holy Ghost caught the last train for the coast?
Thank you in advance AB wizards,
SIQ

[solvitquick]

Wow! What a great resonse. All so educational and funny, especially EDDIES1.
Now convinced about Buddy's PART but VHG is amazing. Apart from F,S and HG on last train to the coast, 8 miles high and falling fast set me on the nuclear war track. But could 8 miles high and falling fast refer to the plane? Can still include Eagles if so.
Will pause awhile before best answer.
Great stuff everyone - I'll be keeping all for my own info and pretend I knew it all along.
Kind regards,
SIQ.

[andy-hughes]

I interviewed Don McLean a couple of years ago, and, as always, he refused to discuss the meaning behind his biggest song.

I did ask him what he thought about Madonna's execrable version of his wonderful song, and he advised that if it kept the song in the public's mind, that was a good thing.

I think he was just being polite to a fellow artist!

[jno]

someone (probably not andy!) once asked him what it meant and he said it meant he never had to work again if he didn't want to.

VHG has pointed to a lot of the direct references. Lenin was presumably Lennon, and Marx could have been either Karl or Groucho. Jack Flash is the Stones again. But there are indirect ones - to the liinks between gospel and soul, and 50s rock and roll ("A white sports coat and a pink carnation"). All in one place was possibly Woodstock. But what the pie was, who knows.

[solvitquick]

Well now! If Don McClean won't explain it, I feel less stupid for posing the question. However ABers have surpassed themselves here in terms of info.
I know what factor-fiction means about simpletons settling for rhyme and scan but that's defo not the case with musicians who are great poets. Here I would cite Don, Bob Dylan & Neil Diamond.
Thanks EDDIES1 for your injection of humour plus info.
I love the idea of it being a pastiche of the torch-bearers of great music, our losses and gains, told enigmatically.
I am sure no one will begrudge VHG the prize of best answer - what a great analysis! I don't care what anyone says elsewhere, I will always believe the VHG story.
Thank you all for your great input, including the modest "I once interviewed Don McClean" - wow!
Luv to all,
SIQ.

[andy-hughes]

I think Don realised a long time ago (long long time ago, even?) that keeping an air of mystery about his song keeps people talking about it - so that's the approach to take.

[solvitquick]

Once again ty all. I'll not pursue you, andy-hughes, about your privelege of the interview.
Carry on all if you wish, I'll be listening, but I think it's about worn out now.
But then again......lol.
SIQ.

[andy-hughes]

Pursue away solvitquick - any and all questions answered any time.

[solvitquick]

Oooh Andy-Hughes, afraid to show my ignorance again in case you and your interview are famous! But, here goes Andy! How, when and via which of the media did you get to interview Don McClean? Do you or did you have a large regular audience - readers, listeners, viewers etc?
Sorry in advance if this is insulting to a famous interviewer/entertainer.
Thank you Andy,
SIQ.

[DJHawkes]

I went to see him at the Liverpool Royal court theatre in 1974 and the whole audience sang along with him, he explained all about it then. He was lovely, very relaxed. Can't believe all these years later he's still singing it and singing it live with Garth Brooks! amazing really. Small world.

[DJHawkes]

andy in 1974 he had no idea that it would still be so massive almost 40 years later, who would have done really?

[DJHawkes]

and when you interviewed him was it before or after garth performed the song live at obama's first inauguration? lol if after did you ask him what he thought of garth's tribute?

[ibannister]

"The Day the Music Died" refers to the death of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper (Richardson) in a plane crash Feb 3rd 1959.( "February made us shiver")
The song (1971) is a tribute to the musicians who died that day.
Most of the song is of remeniscences of Don Mclean who I believe delivered newspapers and saw the story whilst delivering.
Hope this helps clear it up, much of the lyrics refer to the guys that died.

[andy-hughes]

Hi solvitquick - no problems offending me, I am not at all famous!

In my free time, I am a music journalist, and I write for, among other titles, Acoustic magazine, which is a nationally available magazine, you will find it in WH Smith's.

My interview with Don was a couple of years ago, and it was by telephone.

The magazine is the only natal magazine dedicated to acoustic instruments and musicians, so it has a pretty good readership.

If you would like to ask anything else, and don't wish to communicate via the AB - although that is perfectly I am on the site most days - please write here - [email protected].

Thanks for your interest.

[andy-hughes]

DJ - it was, I think after Garth's performance, if I speak to him again, I'll post on here and let you know his opinion - although I suspect it will be exactly the same as it was for Madonna's version!

[solvitquick]

Sorry ibannister but nope, I believe you are wrong! Please read ALL of the posts, notably VHG. Then you would realise your claims are too simplistic and have been said earlier plus much more.
Thanks anyway ibannister,
Best wishes,
SIQ.

[solvitquick]

Ty andy-hughes very impressive and kind of you to bother with us amateurs. Good luck with Garth.
Kindest Regards,
SIQ.