Don McLean’s ‘American Pie’ manuscript to be auctioned in NY

Don McLean. INQUIRER file photo

NEW YORK — Christie’s says that singer-songwriter Don McLean is selling his manuscript and notes to “American Pie,” the wistful anthem that asked, “Do you recall what was revealed the day the music died?”

The auction house said Friday McLean is selling 16 pages that include the original working manuscript and typed drafts of the song.

Christie’s is estimating that “American Pie” will sell for $1 million to $1.5 million when it is auctioned April 7 in New York.

The eight-minute-long “American Pie” was released in 1971. It was a No. 1 U.S. hit for four weeks in 1972.

“The day the music died” refers to the Feb. 3, 1959, deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper in a plane crash.