Don’s band

As always, Don McLean will be accompanied by his fantastic band on this tour:

Tony Migliore – piano and keyboard
Jerry Kroon – drums
Ralph Childs – bass guitar
Pat Severs – guitar & dobro

More information is available here.

(From left to right: Tony Migliore, Jerry Kroon, Don, Pat Severs and Ralph Childs)

Pat Severs recalls: “I got the call — Don McLean was planning to tour with a full band for the first time in years, and would I be interested in playing guitar with the band on a few of the dates? “THE Don McLean,” I asked? “‘American Pie,’ ‘Vincent, ‘‘Castles in the Air’ and all the other great songs Don McLean?” Well, I’ve gotta do this one. Besides, I thought, it’s only a few dates. Well, here I am, going into my seventh year, traveling around the world, playing guitar with Don McLean.”

Photo and quote from The Don McLean Story: Killing Us Softly With His Songs by Alan Howard. Copyright 2007 Starry Night Music Inc.

Banjo ready for action…

Older fans who remember Don’s 1970s concerts will be delighted to know that he is definitely going to play this instrument during his upcoming British shows.

He is bringing a specially modified long neck banjo that has been custom made for him by Vega.

Those who’ve read the biography will know that, aged 16, Don McLean became friends with Erik Darling of the Weavers and would visit his apartment in NY, talk about music and play his various instruments. On one occasion Darling allowed Don to borrow and take home his most precious banjo – a specially designed long neck Vega. The banjo that Don has had custom made, and which he will be playing on this tour, is an exact replica of Darling’s banjo.

Earlier this year, shortly after Don took delivery of the new banjo, he was browsing the classified section of Mandolin Magazine and to his amazement there in the “For Sale” section was Erik Darling’s original custom Vega banjo. In the late 60s, Darling had fallen on difficult times and had sold his prize possession to a New York stockbroker who’d been taking lessons. Of course, Don wasted no time and completed the purchase!

Australia, Japan China…

As we’ve had lots of comments and emails from Australian fans desperate to know whether Don will be performing any more concerts in their country, we thought we’d break the news that Don McLean is touring Australia, Japan and China in March 2008… How about that?!

And for those wondering whether this will be his last UK tour…well…no way…Don has no plans to stop touring Britain or the world!

Liverpool Echo article

A nice interview with Don is included in today’s Liverpool Echo and available online here:
liverpoolecho.co.uk