'American Pie' Hitmaker Don McLean Charged for Domestic Violence
Musician Don McLean, made famous by "American Pie" and other hit songs, was arrested and is facing charges of domestic violence.
Camden Police said that the singer was given the lowest level assault crime charge. His arrest, which happened around 2 am Monday, proceeded without incident, according to WCSH 6.
The 70-year-old subsequently spent a number of hours behind bars at the Knox County Jail. However, he was later released after posting the $10,000 bail.
Details about the incident that led to the arrest and charges are scarce as police refused to reveal more information on the case. It was not known whether his wife, Patrisha McLean, was home at the time. However, it has been confirmed that McLean is set to appear at a local district court on Feb. 22, as per Fox News Latino.
McLean had a previous brush with the law. According to Portland Press Herald, in 2013, the songwriter was charged with speeding and fined $400. He had been driving his Chrysler at 43 mph at a 15 mph-speed limit zone.
Last year, McLean revealed he had sold his number one hit's lyrics for $1.2 million for the sake of his family.
"I have two children and a wife, and none of them seem to have the mercantile instinct," he told The Washington Post. "I want to get the best deal that I can for them. It's time."
The current status of McLean's relationship with his wife, a photographer, and whether it played a role in his recent arrest is unknown.
"American Pie," which runs for 8.5 minutes, was the singer's most successful song, topping record charts in 1971 and earning an iconic status. As per E News, it was based on the 1959 plane crash and subsequent deaths of musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson, who is also known as "The Big Bopper."
McLean explained that his reference to "the day the music died" alluded to the end of the American Dream.
"Basically in 'American Pie,' things are heading in the wrong direction," he was quoted by The Washington Post as saying. "It is becoming less idyllic. I don't know whether you consider that wrong or right but it is a morality song in a sense."
He went on to observe that, in recent times, there is "no poetry and very little romance in anything anymore," which was likened to the tail end of "American Pie."
McLean scored another hit in "Vincent," which was released in 1972 and was based on the artist Vincent van Gogh.
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