NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 22: Singer Don McLean makes his approach via Columbus Circle throughout the … [+]
In Half 1 and Half 2 of my latest interview sequence with singer/songwriter Don McLean, we coated his massive hits, “Vincent” and “American Pie,” amongst different issues. Right here, we concentrate on McLean’s fears, recommendation to younger musicians going for his or her first record-label deal, his ideas on in the present day’s music (together with, extremely, a pc being signed to a serious label), does he care that he’s not within the Rock And Roll Corridor Of Fame, and extra. Following are edited excerpts from an extended telephone dialog.
Jim Conflict: Did you begin early in music?
Don McLean: Sure. One of many issues that used to make my household loopy after I was 5 or 6, was singing together with songs on the file participant or alone. I bear in mind telling my mom, “I’m going to be a well-known singer sometime, and I’m going to purchase you a mink coat.” They might all snicker, and snicker, and snicker. Nicely, there’s an image of my mom in her mink coat going to Carnegie Corridor to see me [perform]. It’s the reality [laughs].
Conflict: You’re a traditional rock man. What do you consider in the present day’s music?
McLean: The worst tune I ever wrote and recorded is healthier than what I hear in the present day. I’ve a 28-year-old girlfriend who performs these things all the time within the bathe. I inform her, “Man, I can’t hear the distinction between one group and the opposite.” For those who can’t whistle the tune, it’s not a tune in my ebook. Rap, for instance, has no tune in any respect. It’s leisure, I suppose. Lately, a pc entity was signed to a serious file firm, has an identification and goes to be making information. Whoa!
Conflict: We’ve all seen the atrocities with file labels screwing over massive names due to contracts they’ve signed however did not perceive. Creedence Clearwater Revival’s John Fogerty involves thoughts with Fantasy Data. Your recommendation to keen beginner musicians making an attempt to get signed to a label?
McLean: Get an excellent transactional lawyer who will write in easy phrases – 1,2,3,4,5 – precisely what you’re signing away once you execute an settlement. Are you ready to present away the publishing? The logos? A sure share of your merchandizing? Your identify and likeness…blah, blah, blah. “Wow, I’m making a gift of all of that?” It’s a must to give it some thought. You may negotiate these items, too. If the file firm and the man doing the deal is on-fire in regards to the group, you will get concessions. If the group needs to go to Capitol Data as a result of The Beatles had been there, and Capitol doesn’t give a rattling about you, then the file firm is within the driver’s seat. So you might have to have the ability to learn the man who’s doing the deal. You wish to have the largest particular person on the file label in love with you. For those who’re on the backside of the totem pole, and also you’re signed by some lowly man, you possibly can’t negotiate something. It’s signal or get misplaced.
Conflict: You stored your publishing rights early-on, so it’s essential to have the ability to learn individuals fairly nicely.
McLean: Nicely, I suppose. However I couldn’t learn two wives too nicely, so I’m not all that nice at it [belly laugh].
Conflict: Don, what are you afraid of, and the way do you deal with worry?
McLean: I’m afraid of numerous issues. Once I was younger, I had horrible stage fright. I had separation anxiousness – I hated to depart residence. I didn’t like airplanes, flying. However I simply mentioned, “Screw it. I’m doing this whether or not I am afraid or not.” I did it, and did it, and did it, and, after awhile, I beat it. Even in the present day, I nonetheless have just a little trepidation for my first tune onstage: How is the sound going to be within the corridor, what sort of viewers do you might have? They’re like individuals. I’ve met so many hundreds of audiences, and I instantly know what I’m coping with.
Conflict: The Rock And Roll Corridor Of Fame is a tough topic. There are nice bands who’ve been ignored – Jethro Tull involves thoughts – and those that get in and also you simply scratch your head – Kiss, for instance. You’re within the Songwriters Corridor Of Fame however not the RRHOF. Does that hassle you?
McLean: I by no means thought I’d be in something like that. I’ve a star on the [Las] Vegas Stroll Of Stars, I’ve a 50-foot mural on the aspect of a constructing in New Rochelle [New York] the place I come from. All I wished was to make just a little residing in music, and possibly have just a little home with a couple of acres, a backyard and a horse. So no, I don’t really feel I need to be in any corridor of fame. But when they provide it to me, I’ll take it [laughs].
