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Legendary singer-songwriter Don McLean recalls what inspired him to write American Pie.

Legendary singer-songwriter Don McLean recalls what inspired him to write his most iconic hit, American Pie.

At the start of the decade, Don was battling with multiple rejections from record labels before landing a contract with Mediarts who were soon taken over by United Artists. In 1971, he released 'American Pie' which charted within a month and rose to No.1 on the US Singles Chart. The following year he achieved his first UK No.1 with 'Vincent', securing his status as an international superstar.

Also on the show, Johnnie inducts another classic 7" into the Jukebox, and hears all the stories from This Week In Music.

1 hour, 56 minutes

Last on

Tue 22 May 2018 03:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2

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Music Played

  • The Jimmy Castor Bunch

    Troglodyte (Cave Man)

  • Pratt & McClain

    Happy Days

    • Television's Greatest Hits Volume 3 70s & 80s.
    • Silva Screen Records Ltd.

  • Pretenders

    Kid

    • The Pretenders - The Singles.
    • WEA.

  • Queen

    Don't Stop Me Now

    • Jazz.
    • Island.
    • 12.

  • David Bowie

    Fame

    • David Bowie - Best Of Bowie.
    • EMI.

  • Electric Light Orchestra

    Mr. Blue Sky

    • The Very Best Of.
    • Frontiers Records.
    • T1.

  • HOUR 1

    • The Kinks

      Lola

      • The Journey - Part 2: Anthology.
      • BMG.

  • THIS WEEK IN MUSIC

    • Wings

      With A Little Luck

      • The 7" Singles Box.
      • MPL.

  • Status Quo

    Rockin' All Over The World

    • Whatever You Want - V.Best Of Status.
    • Polygram Tv.

  • Eagles

    Take It Easy

    • The Best Of Eagles.
    • Asylum.

  • JOHNNIE'S JUKEBOX

    • Neil Diamond

      Shilo

      • Classics: The Early Years.
      • Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd.
      • 9.

  • DON MCLEAN IN CONVERSATION - PART 1

    • Don McLean

      Castles In The Air

      • Don McLean-American Pie/Greatest Hits.
      • EMI.

  • Gary Moore

    Parisienne Walkways

    • Emerald Rock (Various Artists).
    • Polygram Tv.

  • DON MCLEAN IN CONVERSATION - PART 1

    • Bob Dylan

      Country Pie

      • Nashville Skyline.
      • Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd.
      • 9.

    • Don McLean

      Everyday

      • The Legendary Don McLean.
      • EMI Records Limited.
      • 5.

  • Bread

    The Guitar Man

    • David Gates & Bread - Essentials.
    • Elektra.

  • Electric Light Orchestra

    Waterfall

    • Face The Music.
    • Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd.
    • 2.

  • Van McCoy

    The Hustle

    • Golden Hits Of The 70's (Various Artists).
    • BR Music.

  • HOUR 2

    • Steely Dan

      Reelin' In The Years

      • A Decade Of Steely Dan.
      • MCA.

  • The Supremes

    Nathan Jones

    • Diana Ross & The Supremes - 40 Motown.
    • Polygram Tv.

  • THIS WEEK IN MUSIC

    • Peter Frampton

      All I Wanna Be (Is By Your Side)

      • Peter Frampton: Greatest Hits.
      • Polydor Records.
      • 7.

  • Glen Campbell

    Rhinestone Cowboy

    • Ultimate Country (Various Artists).
    • Telstar.

  • Elvis Presley

    The Wonder Of You

    • Presley - The All Time Greatest Hits.
    • RCA.

  • DON MCLEAN IN CONVERSATION - PART 2

    • Don McLean

      American Pie

      • 20 Number 2's Of The 70's (Various).
      • MFP.

    • Jim Croce

      Bad Bad Leroy Brown

      • Million Sellers Vol.18 - The Seventie.
      • Disky.

    • Pete Seeger

      Banks Of Marble

      • Banks Of Marble.
      • Folkways Records.
      • 1.

  • Supertramp

    Give A Little Bit

    • The Very Best Of Supertramp.
    • Polygram Tv.

  • Meat Loaf

    You Took The Words Rights Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)

    • Bat Out Of Hell.
    • Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd.
    • 2.

  • Lynyrd Skynyrd

    Free Bird

    • Top Gear 2 - Various Artists.
    • Columbia.

Johnnie's Jukebox: Neil Diamond - Shilo

Johnnie's Jukebox: Neil Diamond - Shilo
Johnnie Walker and the Sounds of the 70s listeners curate their own personal jukebox, filled with classic seventies seven inches.

This week they're adding "Shilo" by Neil Diamond re-released in 1970.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 20 May 2018 15:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2
  • Tue 22 May 2018 03:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2