‘American Pie’ singer Don McLean has made $150 million in his career

McLean talks with MarketWatch about the only two stocks he owns, the meaning of ‘American Pie,’ and why he’s never had an assistant.

In 1971, Don McLean released the album “American Pie,” and the title song became one of the most famous — and successful — ever made. It came out at a time of major political and social upheaval in America, and captured a feeling of loss. The song runs for over eight minutes, and is No. 5 on the list of best songs of the 20th century. Now 73, McLean talked with MarketWatch about his most famous song, and a wide range of other topics, including money, stardom, and the music business today.

McLean says he’s made $150 million in his career, and that his degree in finance (from Iona College in 1968) and his smart business manager helped him make the money last — and grow. He looks to make 6% a year on his money, so he owns a lot of bonds, and only two stocks. McLean, who has been married twice and has two children, hates the idea of being in debt, and buys everything with cash — including the four homes he’s owned.

He’s curious about the markets and at one point in the interview said, “I want to ask you something. In a relatively short time, the stock market has gone from like 18000 to 25000. Don’t people think that’s a little strange? It’s shocking.” He then said: “When I grew up, gold was $35 an ounce and pegged to the dollar. Everything was slow and steady. Government bonds under President Carter, if you went out 30 years you could get like 20%! Do you remember that? Imagine getting 20%, locking that in for 30 years? I’d do that in a minute.”

You’re older than me a bit....I caught the end of it

I had a buddy who’s older brother was in Quicksilver

He would get Nick Sands orange Sunshine

Nick was the chemist to notorious hash smuggling from Mexico and Hawaii and acid dealing outfit the Brotherhood of Eternal Love

Who broke Tim Leary out of the joint via the Weather Underground

I was at a get together in the then wilds of Dripping Springs Texas west of Austin ...1982 I think

A consortium of west coast guys and long haired Texas weed boys in cowboy boots and beautiful girls of course

We had a huge bonfire and bbq of beef churrasco

Anyhow there was a Brotherhood guy there from Hawaii....I think he was on the lam.

He had a big vial of liquid LSD-25 and I swear he would take a big wooden safety match and dip the wooden end into the acid and chew on it ....he repeated that all night

I saw folks take a bit from that vial and they were some fried assed cowboys in the moonlight

I was scared of it. My last trip was a dead show in 1977 Tuscaloosa

I’ve never seen anyone take so much acid...I still remember it vividly

The ranch owner had Rottweilers and man they were scared of that guy...lol...which tells you something

We all ended up skinny dipping in the cattle tank at 4am

I was plenty stoned and in the company of a pretty Texas gal

Wouldn’t been able to talk to her had I taken that Sid...

LSD is dangerous tool...she can make you stronger or break you.

I’ve warned my kids off on it....fortunately today’s LSD is only maybe 10 percent of the old acid of Owsley

I hear folks say today oh yeah I took five hits

Man you took five hits of Owsley or some windowpane and you’d be passing the Oort Cloud about now

Cheers

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