Don McLean is one of the most revered and respected songwriters in American history. His smash hit “American Pie” resides in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry and was named a top 5 song of the 20th Century by the Recording Industry of America. His other hit singles include “Vincent,” “Dreidel” and “Wonderful Baby,” as well as his renditions of Roy Orbison’s “Crying” and the Skyliners’ “Since I Don’t Have You.”

As “American Pie” celebrates 50 years, Don McLean’s American Pie: A Fable is released. The picture book weaves elements and themes from the classic song with experiences from the singer-songwriter’s own early years into a stunningly visual and uplifting tale for all ages. McLean is currently embarked on the 50th Anniversary American Pie World Tour with “American Pie” having made its way into numerous films, including recent premieres of Marvel’s Black Widow and the new Apple TV+ sci-fi movie Finch. The documentary The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean’s American Pie will premiere exclusively on Paramount+ on July 19, 2022.

In a new interview with Smashing Interviews Magazine, McLean details the physical and emotional price he paid in the aftermath of the massive success of "American Pie."

McLean discusses that struggle in the following excerpt:

Smashing Interviews Magazine: When “American Pie” became an international success, was that something that was entirely good for you?

Don McLean: Well, it was so good for me I had a nervous breakdown in 1974 where I couldn’t function. Very few people know that. I couldn’t leave the house. I was in a bad way because I was playing 125 shows a year on stage. Take a listen to me sometime off that solo album. That was the sixth record I made for United Artists, and you’ll see what I did on stage and the kind of thing I used to do. There’s a video of me doing things, too.

So I cracked up basically. While I was cracked up, I made an album called Homeless Brother with Joel Dorn, which is one of the nicest records I ever made. Then I decided I had enough of being cracked up and started to step up, stand up and move on. I mean, I’m not a crybaby. But I did a lot of crying that year. But once I make my mind up, I just soldier on. I never relied on analysis or help or anything like that. I just figured, “I’ll get through this somehow. I got through my father’s thing. I’ll get through this.”

Smashing Interviews Magazine: Did it take a lot of time for you to completely get through it?

Don McLean: Yeah. It took about a year. What happened is that I made some changes after that. I never allowed myself to be overworked or pushed around or get into a situation where I was doing six shows in a row with one day off or any of that. No. I was doing things at my own pace, not doing it the old way. Those people in your life, managers, agents, they’re not your friends. They’re out to make you as successful as possible and then ride you like a rented mule. That’s what they do. I haven’t had a real manager in decades because I like to do everything myself.

There’s a saying, which I really love, about show business and why I don’t like managers and the way they treat artists, “Treat him like mushrooms. Keep him in the dark and feed him horseshit.” That’s what they do. They hold back information so that they have power over you, and I hate all that. One of the things about me is that I’m a stallion. I’m a wild stallion. I still am. I’m up in the woods running. I don’t like being told what to do. I’ve never had a job. I’ve never had a boss. I don’t mind people suggesting things, but once they start pushing me around, they’re going to get pushed back. I do it at my own pace. I learned that from the breakdown. It’s easy.

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About the authors:

Marc Parker is an American journalist, author, artist, a photographer and a computer scientist. He is the founder/publisher/editor-in-chief of Smashing Interviews Magazine. Marc Parker's social media: Twitter Facebook

Melissa Benefield Parker is an American journalist and author. She is the founder/publisher of Smashing Interviews Magazine. Melissa Benefield Parker's social media: Twitter Facebook