
What is Don McLean’s net worth?
Don McLean, the American singer-songwriter, has a net worth of $50 million. He is best known for his 1971 album “American Pie,” which features hit singles such as “American Pie” and “Vincent.”
McLean’s other popular songs include “Dreidel,” “Wonderful Baby,” and covers of Roy Orbison’s “Crying” and the Skyliners’ “Since I Don’t Have You.” In 2004, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Don McLean’s “American Pie” Continues to Bring in Royalties
The iconic song “American Pie” by Don McLean continues to be played on radio stations worldwide, resulting in hundreds of plays per day. McLean earns between $300,000 and $500,000 per year in royalties from the hit song, which has remained popular for decades.
Universal Music Publishing Group has represented McLean’s music catalogue since 1990, and in 2018, he signed a $4.5 million administration deal with the company. Despite the passage of time, “American Pie” remains a cultural touchstone and a continued source of income for McLean.
Early Life and Career
Don McLean was born in 1945 in New Rochelle, New York to parents Elizabeth and Donald. He became interested in folk music as an adolescent and purchased his first guitar at the age of 16. McLean played at numerous venues and events across the country and became associated with agent Harold Leventhal and personal manager Herb Gart.
McLean graduated from Iona College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1968 and turned down a Columbia University scholarship to pursue his musical career. With the aid of a state grant, he started to reach a wider audience as he toured towns along the Hudson River. During this time, McLean grew close with friend and mentor Pete Seeger, accompanying him on his Clearwater boat trip to raise awareness about river pollution. The pair later sang the traditional folk song “Shenandoah” together on the 1974 Clearwater album.
Don McLean’s Rise to Fame with “American Pie”
Don McLean debuted with “Tapestry” in 1969, but it was his second album, “American Pie,” that launched him to international stardom. The album, released by United Artists Records, featured two number one hit singles: “Vincent” and the title song, “American Pie.” The latter, an 8.5-minute ballad, was inspired by the tragic deaths of Buddy Holly, J.P. Richardson, and Ritchie Valens in a 1959 plane crash, and hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972. It remains McLean’s most famous and successful single.
Don McLean’s Music Career
Don McLean’s self-titled third album included the songs “Dreidel” and “If We Try.” In 1973, he released “Playin’ Favorites,” featuring covers of “Mountains of Mourne” and “Everyday.” “Homeless Brother,” released in 1974, included contributions from the Persuasions, Cissy Houston, and Pete Seeger.
McLean’s album “Prime Time” was recorded at Arista Records in 1977. He later released “Chain Lightning,” which reached number 28 in 1981 and included a rendition of “Crying” by Roy Orbison that hit number five on the singles chart. McLean had additional chart success in the early 1980s with “Since I Don’t Have You,” “Castles in the Air,” and “It’s Just the Sun.”
In 1987, McLean’s country-influenced album “Love Tracks” produced hit singles “Love in My Heart,” “You Can’t Blame the Train,” and “Eventually.” He has since released several albums, including “Headroom,” “The River of Love,” “You’ve Got to Share Songs for Children,” “The Western Album,” and 2009’s “Addicted to Black,” his first album of entirely original material in 14 years.
Accomplishments and Recognition
Don McLean was awarded an honorary doctorate from his alma mater Iona College in 2001. His iconic song “American Pie” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002, and he was later inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004. In 2012, a feature-length documentary about McLean was aired on PBS.
Throughout his career, McLean’s songs have been recorded by renowned artists such as Garth Brooks, Madonna, and Josh Groban. In 2019, he received gold, platinum, and multi-platinum plaques for his record sales in the United States.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Don McLean was married twice. His first marriage was to Carol Sauvion, a crafts scholar and patron who created the PBS series “Craft in America.” They divorced in 1976. In 1987, he married Patrisha Shnier, a Canadian woman, and together they had two children. However, they divorced in 2016, and McLean was later charged with domestic violence. He pled guilty to four of his six charges and paid around $3,000 in fines.
Despite his personal troubles, McLean is involved in philanthropic work. He is an ambassador for Teen Cancer America and has established the Don McLean Foundation. The foundation is funded by McLean’s income in perpetuity and is based at his residence in Lakeview, Maine. It serves as a center for conferences and fundraisers and includes a nature preserve.
Don McLean’s Real Estate Holdings
Don McLean owns a 300-acre estate in Camden, Maine, which serves as his primary residence. In addition to this property, he also owns several homes in California.
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