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"American Pie" by Don McLean is a definitive song of the 70s
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McLean recalls a famous day in 1959 when he was only 13 years old
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Buddy Holly a rock and roll pioneer was one of McLean's favorite musicians
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Holly married María Elena Santiago but their marriage lasted only 6 months
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On February 3, 1959, Holly, Ritchie Valens and "The Big Bopper" Jiles Perry Richardson Jr died in a plane crash
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The incident was a Pivotal moment for the music industry and a Tragedy for McLean
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McLean became one of the US most recognized songwriters with the release of "American Pie" in 1971
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The song popularized the nickname "the day the music died" for the plane crash
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McLean references the 60s music scene, The Beatles, the Manson Family murders and the Vietnam War in his lyrics
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McLean's "American Pie" immortalized the events of 1959 as a key part of rock music mythology
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