Want to grab some Don McLean tickets to see his American Pie 50th Anniversary Tour show at The Station in Newcastle? We’ve got all the info you’ll need right here.
The Grammy award honouree and Songwriters Hall of Fame member will hit Australia in April 2023 as part of his worldwide anniversary tour celebrating one of the most iconic songs ever written and the album of the same name.
And luckily for us, that tour will stop in for a show at The Station in Newcastle!
“I am thrilled to be getting back to Australia with my band,” Don said.
“2022 marks the 50th anniversary from when American Pie landed at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard chart, and we will be celebrating.
Earlier this year in March, McLean celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) by releasing an intimate performance that was recorded at the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit.
Alongside the iconic hits from the American Pie album, McLean will also play a selection of songs from his back catalogue including tracks from his 2018 release, Botanical Gardens.
“We’ll be performing songs from the American Pie album plus many of the other hits that fans will be expecting to hear,” Don said.
THE HISTORY OF DON MCLEAN’S AMERICAN PIE
As tragic as the backstory behind the song American Pie is with the much too early death of the new rock’n’roll-hope Buddy Holly, the track is also magnificent and legendary.
And American Pie still goes to heart as soon as originator Don McLean plays this classic at his concerts. Still, it’s worth remembering that the 76-year-old composer has written and sung numerous other melodic and harmonic successes in his decades-long career with Vincent (Starry Starry Night), Castles in the Air, And I Love You So, and Cryin’, all of which will be heard and reveled in along with newer pieces on the upcoming tour.
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 ted 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. Here, you’ll only find a few selected evergreens, such as Somewhere Over The Rainbow. So much for the cultural significance of Don McLean and his 1971 stroke of genius!
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.
SUPPORT ACT: Andrew Farriss
Supporting the American superstar not the tour, including the show in Newcastle will be one of our very own award-winning artists, Andrew Farriss.
Andrew’s support set will include selections from his time with the legendary rock band, INXS and songs from his solo, self-titled Americana album.
“I’ve admired Don McLean since I was a teenager, he is a legendary troubadour, and I am very excited to tour with him and perform for the Australian fans,” Andrew said.
DON MCLEAN TICKETS
The Station Newcastle
Saturday 15th April 2023
Tickets will be on sale this Friday 11 November at 9.00 am local time
