KPBS Midday Edition

New Documentary Showcases An 'American Troubadour'

By Maureen Cavanaugh / KPBS Midday Edition Co-Host, Claire Caraska / Production Intern/Culture Lust Blogger

Published March 5, 2012 at 8:38 AM PST

This story was published more than 12 years ago.

American singer-songwriter Don McLean is the subject of a new PBS documentary, "Don McLean: American Troubadour," which airs this week.

New documentary showcases an 'American Troubadour'

GUEST: Don McLean, American singer-songwriter.

American singer-songwriter Don McLean has a career that spans more than 40 years and more than 300 songs. But if you only remember his big hits, like "American Pie" and "Vincent," he says that’s OK. He’s profoundly happy to have had those hits, which have become some of the most beloved songs written in the 20th Century.

McLean is the subject of a new PBS documentary, "Don McLean: American Troubadour," which shares his life story from his childhood memories in New Rochelle, New York, during the 50s to his rise to musical fame in the early 70s to his life today. At age 66, McLean is still performing for audiences around the world, and he will be making a tour stop in San Diego on May 12 at Sycuan Casino.

While his name may be forever associated with his biggest hit "American Pie," the documentary reveals that McLean achieved more than just a few big hits and that his influence runs deep. Did you know that "Killing Me Softly with His Song" (most famously recorded by Roberta Flack) was inspired by him? Or that his song "Jerusalem" was composed for that city at the request of its mayor? And that rapper Tupac Shakur was a huge fan, particularly of his song "Vincent"?

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For more Don McLean trivia, visit his personal website and watch "Don McLean: American Troubadour," which airs this week on KPBS television.

Watch Don McLean: American Troubadour | Childhood Memories on PBS. See more from pbs.

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Maureen Cavanaugh has been a familiar voice for KPBS listeners for more than 15 years, serving in a variety of capacities including announcer, host, and producer. As host of KPBS Midday Edition, Maureen has interviewed a wide range of notables, such as comedienne Sandra Bernhardt, actor John Lequizamo, author Chuck Palahniuk, composer Marvin Hamlisch, artist Robert Irwin, and designer Zandra Rhodes. But of all the interviews Maureen has conducted, her most special was with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Before joining KPBS in 1997, she worked as a news anchor for KSDO and KOGO News Radio in San Diego. While working for commercial radio stations in San Diego and in Salt Lake City, Utah, Maureen reported on both hard news and lifestyle features. Maureen has received three "Golden Mike" awards from the Radio and TV News Association of Southern California for economic reporting and breaking news. She has also received a "Best of Show" and “Best Radio Newscast” awards from the San Diego Press Club and the "Flo" Award from Public Radio Program Directors Association for Best Public Radio Announcer in a large market. Maureen is a native of Queens, New York, but after more than 20 years in San Diego she feels she qualifies as a real Southern Californian.

What do you want to hear host Jade Hindmon talk about on Midday?

Claire Caraska

Claire Caraska served as a production assistant for KPBS Midday Edition and a Culture Lust blogger. As a writer and editor, she has covered music and visual arts for various print and online publications, including San Diego CityBeat, The San Diego Union-Tribune and voiceofsandiego.org. Claire received her bachelor’s degree in communication from UC San Diego, where she spent time on the air at KSDT Radio. An avid audiophile and record collector, she is also a DJ and can be heard playing 60s and 70s soul and funk at local watering holes. Photo by Derrik Chinn.

See stories by Claire Caraska