Photos by Andy Argyrakis

“American Pie” may have turned 50, but it remains as vital as the day Don McLean created it, who can count it as the fifth top track of the 20th Century according to the Recording Industry of America (behind Judy Garland’s “Over The Rainbow,” Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas,” Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” and Aretha Franklin’s “Respect”).

It’s certainly incredible company to keep, but one that’s natural for the Grammy Award winner, who was already a shoe-in for the Songwriters Hall Of Fame considering its been covered from pop queen Madonna to country game changer Garth Brooks on down.

And that was merely one of many treasures the troubadour brought to Milwaukee’s Pabst Theater, which is the closest he’s coming to Chicago throughout a global anniversary tour also featuring classics cut by rock god Elvis Presley, eventual samples from hip-hop heavyweight Drake and even influential tunes for late rapper 2Pac.

But before dipping all the way back to those days, the still actively recording 76-year-old turned in the title track to 2018’s “Botanical Gardens,” then previewed what’s coming around the corner with “American Boys,” amongst others, continuing in his folksy rock tradition.

Of course, he and a trusty four-piece band were happy to oblige with everything expected, including the enormous “And I Love You So,” “Castles In The Air” and “Vincent,” ensuring it would indeed be a “starry, starry night.”

A cover of the stomping “Not Fade Away,” originally a staple of Buddy Holly’s band The Crickets, foreshadowed “the day the music died,” which was understandably saved until right before the encore of the 100-minute evening, but worth every second of the wait.

Though “American Pie” was most recently re-recorded alongside a cappella group Home Free to mark the milestone, it was performed in all its eight-and-a-half-minute, amplified glory with the small but mighty crowd enthusiastically singing and dancing through each rousing chorus.

McLean may have sung it a billion times and in more prominent settings, but delivered the chart-topper like the standard it’s become, and in the process, reinforced his cross-generational place in popular culture.

For additional information on Don McLean, visit DonMcLean.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Pabst Theater include Blackberry Smoke (Jul. 28); Jon Anderson (Jul. 30); Waxahatchee (Aug. 7); Charley Crockett (Aug. 8); Five For Fighting and The Verve Pipe (Aug. 10); Steppenwolf’s John Kay (Aug. 13); The Traveling Salvation Show: A Tribute To Neil Diamond (Aug. 20); Peter Hook & The Light (Aug. 22); The Wallflowers (Aug. 25) and Fresh Coast Jazz Festival (Aug. 26-27). For additional details, visit PabstTheaterGroup.com.

Related Articles

Troubadour Don McLean “Still Playin’ Favorites” while honoring “American Pie” anniversary Gordon Lightfoot: “80 Years Strong” Tour at Pabst Theater With Chicago Theatre around the corner, Todd Rundgren’s reunited Utopia ramps up in Milwaukee Death-defying troubadour Gordon Lightfoot turns 80, remains timeless “Love Alive” captures the essence of Heart reunion, Sheryl Crow soaks up the sun A “Homeward Bound” Paul Simon goes to “Graceland” and back while sprinkling Simon & Garfunkel gold The Beatle Ringo Starr meets The Beach Boys (with a little help from a friend) in All Starr Ravinia pairing “Retro Futura” takes Belinda Carlisle, ABC and many totally tubular others back to the ‘80s