New Rochelle in Westchester County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Don McLean
| | New Rochelle Walk of Fame | |
Singer, songwriter Don McLean has amassed over 40 gold and platinum records over the years, but he is best remembered for his two 1971 classic hit songs, American Pie and Vincent (Starry Starry Night).
In 2001, American Pie was voted No. 5 in a poll of the 365 Songs of the Century compiled by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. In 2002, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2004, McLean was inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame, and in 2012 he won the BBC Life Time Achievement Award. Also, in 2012, the PBS network broadcast a feature-length documentary about his life and music called "American Troubadour."
Donald "Don" McLean was born in New Rochelle, New York on October 2, 1945. He lived at 15 Mulberry Lane. As a youth, he delivered copies of the now-defunct newspaper The Standard-Star. As a teenager, he purchased his first guitar from the House of Music on Main Street. Don graduated from Iona Prep in 1963 and from Iona College in 1968 (In 2001, the college awarded him an honorary doctorate degree). In 1969, he accompanied Pete Seeger on his Clearwater
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Regarding the speculation on the meaning of the lyrics to American Pie, Mclean comments: "American Pie is set within the context of my own life experiences growing up, working and going to school in New Rochelle The song starts off with my memories of the death of Buddy Holly, but it moves on to describe America as I was seeing it and how I was fantasizing it might become You will find many interpretations of my lyrics but none of them by me. Isn't this fun? Sorry to leave you all on your own like this, but long ago I realized that songwriters should make their statements and move on, maintaining a dignified silence."
Erected by City of New Rochelle, NY; New Rochelle Downtown Business District.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Environment • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is October 2, 1945.
Location. 40° 54.598′ N, 73° 46.988′ W. Marker is in New Rochelle, New York, in Westchester County. It is on Memorial Highway south of Huguenot
Regionally, this marker is in the Hudson Valley and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Coots & Allen (here, next to this marker); Alan Menken (here, next to this marker); Frances Sternhagen (here, next to this marker); John Starin (here, next to this marker); Robert Sherwood (here, next to this marker); Willie Mays (a few steps from this marker); Barry Gray (a few steps from this marker); Edwin & Gertrude Thanhouser (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Rochelle.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 242 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 24, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
