Don McLean (American Pie) playing a 1954 Martin 00-21 at Norman's Rare Guitars
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ส.ค. 2017
- What an honor to have the legend Don McLean come to #NormansRareGuitars play some music, shoot the sh*%& with his old friend Norm! Check this out, this is very informative.
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It was wonderful to be 17 in 1970...71 when this music was in top form.....being a kid friends all around....driving an old 200 buck car...and fixing the radio as I wait for a friend to get permission from his parents to go with me that night as he came out of his home this song comes on the car radio....priceless memories....Thanks Don !
When I was 18 years old and in the Navy (1975), I got busted for pot and confined to the ship for 60 days. To help with boredom, a buddy gave me a guitar and the chord chart for American Pie, showed me the chords and how to practice them. I played till my finger tips were bloody, and within a week I was playing the song and singing (badly, but it was a start). Music is magic, and Don McLean inspired so many of us with his songcraft. Thanks Don, and thanks Norm.
rip, dont you still laugh at the way how we still allow alcohol in our military but not pot :C. Thank you for your service!
Sounds like a cool buddy you now have a gift to be able to play an instrument.
I got into trouble whilst in the army whilst also confined to Barricks Sargent who was a piper gave me a chanter and some sheet music and sat with me a while I became our units number on bagpiper . Years later after leaving the army I became a bus driver I was experiencing a bad breakup and I had no television in my room a room mate gave me a guitar he had picked up showed me some chords and I haven’t stop playing since I learn a song every day
@Chuck bitch, fuck off
I learned guitar aboard ship as well. 1975-78
I'm so sorry what happened to you Billder. Your story is inspiring. All of the people who replied and how you came to music through tough times.
That's crazy. The man that made one of the most recognizable songs in American history is sitting right there still playing his song. Music is such a beautiful thing.
7 trillion videos uploaded to TH-cam and I finally found the best one. Thanks Norm! This was a true gift to us all.
an American classic singing an American classic. Love ya Don, great vid Norm 🎸
Agreed. Everytime his name is mentioned i automatically think about Holly, Valens, J.P. Richardson and that great song he wrote. Thanks Don, you're an American Classic in every sense 🎸🎼
Ok, punk! Post some of your vids here! Come on...I double-dog dare you! Damn insolent punk!
Why? To prove I'm better than him? My point was his technique is scruffy, to say the least..he's past his prime-no big deal...keep your toupee on.
In about '91 I was in a bar in Key West, Florida and there was this awesome solo performer playing. He played Chuck Berry on electric with canned backing (rare in '91). He jumped up on the bar and played while half duck walking the length of it. He played a Willie Nelson song on acoustic for an older couple having their anniversary. He was great, and throughout the entire performance there was a drunk guy in the back, and after every song, he would alternate between yelling out, "play American Pie, you son of a bitch" and yelling, "Play Freebird, you sack of shit." Finally, the performer decided that he needed to shut the guy up and went into an exasperated cover of American Pie. The guy played all 18(?) verses, and it's such a great song that it sounded good even with a performer who didn't want to play it and it being played at time and a quarter to get it over with. The guy finished and went directly into the next song, and when he finished the drunk guy in the back yelled out, "play American Pie, you sack of shit." The guy playing loses his shit a little (had the patience of a saint) and yells back, _"I just played it!"_ The drunk in the back, without missing a beat, says, "Play it again, you son of a bitch."
McLean and I shared a stage circa 1961. It was at a "Folk Music Contest" at a big NYC-area theme park -- sort of a short-lived east coast answer to Disneyland -- called "Freedomland USA." A couple of years older than the other acts, he wore a snazzy suit, fancy cowboy boots, and a white Stetson hat. He had a brand new Martin D-28 and a long-necked Seeger-style Vega 5-string banjo, playing them both expertly as he went through a smooth set of mostly Appalachian-style folk material. Needless to say, he won that contest hands-down, pretty much embarrassing the rest of us with his confident professionalism.
Man, who better to be upstaged by
That is a really cool story. No shame in that loss, though. This man is truly talented.
Youngster! He graduated Iona Prep in ‘63.
@@tedojarovsky8753 -- Yeah, as I noted above, he was a "couple of years older than the other acts." I graduated in '65.
Good God ........he's an old bastard ............ wait a minute .............sht ................I'm an old bastard too! !!!!! But seriously he is one of my heroes ! It's also nice to hear a singer and not just a guitarist ....
Brian Donnelly lol
Can I join the old Bastards club...Don will always be 17 years older than me. One of the reasons I like him ;)
He had a ton of pussies back in the days, I bet. lol
Thank you for being honest Brian. We are not spring chickens anymore and you are able to forgive him graciously and with a sense of humor! Kudos.
Great job on Josh white tune.....the blues lives on.....
I'm old, but Norm, that may be the best performance ever in your store. It's a history lesson in the evolution of the guitar in American music. What a treat! Thanks!
In my opinion, which don't matter, this is one of the best episodes of "On the Couch with Norm" that I've watched. This is a good one Norm, thanks for letting us sit in on your time spent with Mr. McLean.
Don's guitar is tuned: E, A#, D, Gb, B, F -- for anyone interested
or semitones thereof
Sounds like he's flattened all the strings by a semitone
Almost....
not on purpose
🤣
I had to watch this episode again. I could listen to Don talk all day. I’ve been obsessed with Vincent lyrics. Just stunningly beautiful, totally genius, like Vincent.
Don McLean's 45 of American Pie was literally my introduction to pop music / rock music.
It still makes me stop dead in my tracks whenever it comes on.
I don't know what it is about that song " Vincent" but it brings tears to my eyes every time. I guess it is so well written and the story line just grabs me every time.
Fantastic Video with The Great Don McLean. Thank You Norman and Don… ❤❤
Great Information and great Performance, trough the History of Music! Thank's both, Don McLean and Norman!
Lovely. I saw him open for Blood, Sweat, and Tears in the 70s, before the American Pie album. Just him and his guitar, and he really knew how to engage a crowd. I knew it was going to be a hit and hoped I would hear more of him. My hopes came true.
This is your best interview yet Norm. You made Don feel loved and you came off with a lot of class. I must have stopped the video 4 times to look up different songs he played. Thank You for posting this. I will watch all the time. "A long, long, time ago......"
What a great surprise !!! Did I listen to Don !! Thanks for sharing !!
The real deal spellbinding singer and songwriter and Vincent is about the most beautiful song ive ever heard and what an honor pay the man in Martins. This is the best thing on the internet.. amazing
Awesome interview/conversation. Don McLean is one the all time best singer song writers. Not to be matched by anyone today.
Thanks Norm!!!
One of the very best song writers of all time. What an amazing man. Been a fan of Don since the first time I heard his music in 1976.
When I was in kindergarten, my mother heard me singing American Pie. She seemed mad and asked where I learned a song like that. I heard it on HER radio in the kitchen! I guess it would be startling to hear a 5-year-old girl singing about whiskey and rye and the day that I die though 😆
Bob Underwood and Tommy Deal,were my friends.They were Roy Orbison's roadie and friends .
When Roy died they came back to Memphis and made me and all the music people happy .Roy was not alone and he was so great that he still lives on in song and story .I saw Don McLean on Chattanooga with Bob Wills and Freddy King. Thank You
The all guitar network sounds great. So good of norm to organise this and for free. He really is a giver. Respect.
pablo9364 is it going to be free? I must have missed that part.
one of the greatest song writers of his time....a truly dying art....saw him in concert three times...once in a small club in the village....he was and still is magic....love you don !!!
I am 68 years old and remember the very day "American Pie" came on air!
It was such a great song that I actually remember exactly where I was at
the time back in 1971. Thank you Don for the memories!
So few people can weave lyrics together so flowing and seamlessly to paint beautiful pictures in our mind's eye. He is truly one of the greats. Thanks, Norm for bringing him to us in this setting; and taking me back to the days of my youth for a little while.
Respect. He is a living legend.
Awesome to think that my bass teacher used to tour with this guy in the 70's
Thank you Norm! Talk about a true legend! Thumbs way up!!!
McLean is an american music sage, for him to have lived this long with as much success as he has, is a miracle in itself. Down to earth and to be so skilled and experienced- he has a deep understanding, and it shows in this video... frickin awesome!
My mom is dying of cancer right now and hearing Don play American Pie brought me to my knees. My mother loves that song. Thankyou for being who you are Don and providing all the joy and love over the years that you have.
Aaron's Random Life my friend you are at the beginning of a long journey of grief, pain, self awareness and healing. Please know that you are not alone and I send you much love and peace to help you with this very difficult time. Be strong, be good to yourself and honor your mother by being the best person you can be.
Aaron's Random Life
God bless..
How’s your mom doing? Lol
Holy Cow! The guy is sitting on a couch, probably at the spur of the moment, talking history and occasionally playing a few licks! If you care for music...really care for music, you understand it's not about the tuning, setup, proper playing of every note. The guy's a musical genius, maybe not the best player or singer, but what he gave the world through his music is priceless. Get a grip you Debbie Downers. Thank you Don and Norman. Great video.
Genius? Mozart was a genius.
Agree, but allow me to add, he is a great singer and musician. In the 70s he had the best voice of all males, and he had the cleanest acoustic playing there is.
@@melvynobrien6193 Begging the question....why are you here? Granted genius is a loaded word but millions hold Don Mclean in very high regard.
@@Maxim89Il WELL I AGREE AND IM 24YEARSOLD HE IS MY IDOL.
Come on. Is asking for the guitar to be in tune, really reaching that far?
Have not heard of Don in Donkeys years. Loved his first 4 album's and still have them too. Remember seeing him live at the Birmingham Odeon in New Street England back in 1972. Too. He came out to play and the first thing he did was tell whoever was in charge of the lights to turn them down so he could see the audience. His exact words was something like "Come on you Dum Dums I want to see who I am playing too" He was superb back in his heyday. Great to see he's still on the planet and thank you Don for bringing so much pleasure to my life with your great music. It still even stands the test of time and I can still listen to those album's even these days.
The absolute best concert I ever saw was a free concert in Central Park. It was televised on HBO and starred Garth Brooks. He brought out two featured guests; Billy Joel and Don MacLean. Billy did We didn't start the fire and New York State of Mind and Don did American Pie. That concert will always stand on its own. I was too young for Woodstock; but damn, it could NEVER be topped (in my opinion).
mother of fucking god, you got DON!! so much respect norman.
Great video! That guitar he is playing is the same type of guitar 00-21 that Bob Dylan recorded the Blood on the Tracks album with. The New York Sessions of that album all in open D tuning. I would love to have one of those old small bodied Martins!
Bob Dylan at his best! I have a bootleg called "blood on the tapes" with all these original performances. Simply stunning.
Some of the musicians involved in the Minneapolis recordings of that great album are still thrilled to tell stories about the experience. It was the highlight of some of their lives.
Thanks guys for the replies. Blood on the Tapes has always been one of my favorite bootlegs that I own. Jeff, I would love to hear some of those stories. I know his brother David was a part of the Minneapolis sessions, or set them up, etc. BOTT is one of my favorite Bob Dylan albums, but I am still partial to what was recorded in NYC.
Open E, I'm sure they were like "Bob, WTF, over?? LOL
NO, THEY ARE NOT. NT A PATCH ON DONALD MCALEAN. BOB DYLAN COPIED ALL HIS MUSIC AND THE LYRICS TOO. DONALD WROTE ALL HIS OWN STUFF, INCLUDING TEH LEGELENDAY AND UFNROATGETTABLE " AMERICAN PIES "
Dang! This was fun. Good stories, and nice dudes hanging out and loving music.
Don is a warm singer with great stories, self-deprecating humor and insights into the 1950s-1980s
.
'Vincent' is one of the most beautiful songs ever written.
wonderfull melodys. thanks
A true a musician and nice Guy. I grew up with Dons music. Loved all those songs.
An American treasure. One of the greatest songwriters of all time. His playing style is unique and wonderful too.
Doesn't matter if the guitar is a little out of tune, Don is a legend. He's still singing great and Norm gets some fascinating stories out of him. This is great entertainment.
Stuart Penney
agreed 👍🏼
Indeed!
In the wider context of the video it matters very little. Great interview, great store, great man. This was an informal chat offered free on the internet, not a concert recital
Stuart Penney It sounds like shit. Factually. There is no debate here. That is why tuning exists in the first place.
Well I really enjoyed it despite the tuning issues.
Great guy. Vincent is one of my Top 5 songs ever.
I could watch this all day! Thanks for sharing....
these are musical history treasures , norm has an amazingly soft and sophisticated touch, really enjoy these, listened to american pie a million times
Bravo Don. What a rare treat.Thanks, Tim
Wow, I love that last tune. That was some nice guitar playing. I wish I could learn that tune. Im gonna try.
Norm, Thank you So much for this*** Don you brought back so many memories of some of my favorite songs, Elvis singing and I love you so, Roy O singing Crying etc.. This was THE BALLS*****
Today was my last day of highschool and my favorite AP English teacher Mr Mark Gotts who I had for two years and went on a school trip to Europe with sang us this song as a goodbye and it was sad to see him hold back tears. Thank you mr gotts I’ll never forget the inspiration you instilled in me.
Class of 2019
What a treat! Don McClean is the only song writer I know who can bring a tear to my eye.
ONE., OR BOTH?
Now kids, that's a fuckin legend right there
After seeing this video I found a show nearby at the Saban Theater. FABULOUS SHOW !! Best I've been to in years. He has a real strong band, and did a lot of great old stuff. Well worth seeing this man, , , ,
Wow what an Awesome video with the Great Don McLean, I can sit & listen to that all night long... Thanks Norman
Don still sounds great!
What an absolute legend 😎
Beyond lelgend.
Love it. I keep coming back to watch this interview.
New Rochelle, NY my home town also!!! Great songs, Thanks Mr Don McLean...
What a treat to have stumbled across this video! I grew up with Don McLean. This video made my soul smile!
Your comment made my soul smile,thanks.
Great singer/songwriter!
Thanks Norm for bringing People like Don can't wait for the Guitar Channel
we that lived, cherished, enjoyed and were fortunate enough to live the experience of the 50's, 60's & 70's were truly blessed.
That was OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS GUY IS SPEAKING MY THOUGHTS ~ TAKE THIS IN EVERYBODY ~ REMEMBER YOUR INFLUENCES AND FIND MORE OF THEN ~ SPEAK YOUR OWN STORIES IN SONG ~ HERE I AM AT 67 AND I WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO THIS GUY ABOUT MUSICS POWER AND HISTORY ~ LISTEN TO AND LEARN ALL YOU CAN ~ CARLOS GUITARLOS 90042 USA
Why CAPS? I'm getting nervous ;-)
WHATS WRONG WITH CAPS ??? ;)
jfq722 what's wrong is it's like the guy is yelling or he thinks what is is writing is somehow more important than everyone else's comments. That's what wrong with all caps!
I've meet him...he's a nut....
GuitarlosCarlos dude you're not in church, quit preaching, and get over yourself, your not McLean's college dork
Thank you, thank you!!!! Saw Don about 25 years ago - no slippage!!! Thanks.
Norman - I like Don McLane. But I would never have picked up a guitar at all if it was not for a bloke called Norman Blake. Thank you for all your inspiration, and all the help you gave me over years.
Frank Stallone tuned that guitar by ear?
That Martin just went up in Price $$$$$$
This was just FANTASTIC....one of those interviews and moments where you just stare at the PC afterwards then realize you been just sitting and reeling in your mind for a long time....then you just come to conclude you could never convey all that's going through your mind and you just hit like and save and just move on. Love hearing some history from the guys who were there and on the "inside". So Great, Thanks and keep em coming!!
Finally a real legend on this channel.
McLean sold his original manuscript for his classic "American Pie" at auction for $1.2 million--not bad
Thanks Norm for giving him some time
Just wish you guys could do ONE vid without mentioning Joe B
Undersold - if my home is worth 175,000 his music, original piece, is worth way more than $1.2million.
Wow, thanks Mr. Don and Norm. Vincent is one of the most beautiful songs ever. Trolls, Don will be remember long after he is gone, and you?
Vincent was awesome...there was a period when this guy was on fire!
So if you don't like something, you're a troll? You're an idiot.
Thanks Norm! What an insightful video from a great singer/songwriter/guitarist..... wonderful Martin too.
What a privilege...thanks for bringing that to us Norm...i think i ´ve sang American Pie more than he has over the years...
...Vincent ....great tune
THIS GUY HAS DONE SO MANY GIGS FOR DECADES ON END ~ WHEN I STARTED IT WAS WHATEVER WAS GOOD NO MATTER THE STYLE ~ I LIVE TO WRITE SONGS WITH ANY INFLUENCE OF ANY ERA ~ I KNEW MY DADS MUSIC AND UNDERSTOOD IT ~ FOLK / BLUES / ROCK AND ROLL ~ I WILL BE THERE IF YOU WANT ME ~ DON HAS AN UNDERSTANDING THAT MIST WRITER AND PERFORMER ARE MISSING ~ THANK YOU DON ~ CARLOS GUITARLOS 90042 USA
I think Don Mclean is great . Love his music .
by convention alone, and perhaps by courtesy, you should cool it with the caps.
It's Carlos the Caps king. Now you know lol. Anyways fantastic video and Carlos you are so right. You have to keep searching for inspiration . There is some fantastic music out there to find
Bizarre that you people have a problem with caps; most of you can't fucking spell; I'd be more worried about that.
...cool yelling post! You must play loud ALL THE TIME! Try varying the volume SOMETIMES!
One of the classics! Thanks! Michael
I love Mr McLean's ballads, listening to him sing here brought tears to my eyes, thank you Sir for this interview and the songs, your are part of my musical heritage.
The American legend....
VINCENT MAYBE TOP TEN MOST BEAUTIFUL SONGS EVER.
Who is still listening to this great artist. Thank you Don for your music.
What a wonderful treat; thank you so much!
Don was an amazing songwriter. Vincent was a masterpiece.
What they say about the bridge being taken out of modern tunes is true.
I'm pretty sure any teenager into EDM can name "fast Car" by Dj Jonas Blue but they're not aware of the original version by Tracy Chapman and once they'll hear it the first thing they'll notice that the song changes when Tracy goes "I remember when you were driving.." which breaks the monotony of the song, it's that break which makes that song exciting. In the version by Jonas Blue that change was taken out.
Another good example is "Englishman in New York" teens these days know it in the version by Cris Cab. But the original by Sting is in musical terms a much more accomplished song, with a Jazz feel and an even more Jazzy bridge and saxophone solo by Brandford Marsales. Cris Cab's version omits the second and third verses and the bridge altogether, singing the chorus over and over.
It's a sad development really.
tell it to Al Kooper lol
MODERN MUSICIANS DONT KNOW AHOW TO MAKE MUSIC. THEY KNOW HOW TO PRESS A 'START' BUTTON.. 99% OF TODAYS MUSIC IS ALGORITHMIC OR JUST COPIED FROM OTHER TRACKS. ITS A FACT BASS DRUM NOTE EVERY 1/4 BAR EVERY SINGLE TRACK IN THE TOP 500
What a great visit! Thanks so much for sharing this with us.
Don still has it. Loved it here when he went all guns blazing into American Pie, after the amazing Vincent, only wish he had carried on with it to the end, but it was awesome anyhow. It was just like going back to the good old folk days. Thanks for sharing this interview
First time have seen Don play "live" since Hyde Park" London, was back in '76 if I remember rightly.
Best video since Frank.
u gay bruh??
unfortunately no. good luck finding a partner. peace!
you guys who complain about the tuning should stop watching and go practice. Write a song while you're at it!.
Norm you are awesome for bringing these people to us!!!
Beutifull made me cry again thanks.
Excellent interview and great songs...PLEASE tune the guitar!!!!
Yeah it's out of tune. Who cares. This is so cool to hang with Don on a couch while he sings his classics. Thanks Norm
great video Norm, and I simply love Don & his sings, just going to learn castles in the air, looking forward to that., having accomplished Vincent my all time favourite. But Castles in the air, has very moving lyrics also. Best of luck to all and thanks again for this.
I can remember sitting in my Dads old car, listening to American Pie on 8 Track!!
Very cool interview ♣️
I was always hopeful that acoustic music would make a comeback, especially when the MTV "unplugged" stuff started, and it sounded great!
But sadly, I am resigned to the fact that it isn't coming back.
Jack
Canada
I heard that killing me softly by Roberta Flack was about Don McLean. anyone else heard that?
It wasn't written by Flack, but it was inspired in part by McLean.
thank you Wabi-sabi8551
A singer named Lori Leiberman wrote and recorded it. Inspired by seeing Mclean singing. Her version is very good. Its here on TH-cam. Further:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_Me_Softly_with_His_Song
Yes.
Yes.
Without doubt your best gig yet Norm, keep them coming.
A fan from downunder.
I was so lucky to see Don McClean at Panthers at Penrith in the 90's God he was good, I love his music. Thanks Norm for this video. I love Don, thank you Don for your wonderful music.