Don McLean Celebrates 55th Anniversary Of 'American Pie' With 2026 Australian Tour

Don McLean will celebrate 55 years of 'American Pie' with Australian fans in October.

Three years after his last visit to our shores, Don McLean is returning in October, commemorating the 55th anniversary of his classic song, American Pie.

Over half a century since its release, American Pie has become a cultural touchstone, not just in America but across the globe. It’s a song that commands sing-alongs and has been covered by Madonna and John Mayer.

Recorded and released in 1971 on McLean’s album of the same name, American Pie stayed at #1 in the US for four weeks in 1972, after just eight weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. In Australia, Canada and New Zealand, the song also reached #1.

Until 2021, American Pie held the record for nearly 50 years for being the longest song ever to reach #1 in the US, before Taylor Swift released All Too Well (10-Minute Version).

American Pie commands quite a legacy, having been described as “one of the most successful and debated songs of the 20th century.” It might repeatedly mention “the day the music died,” but it’s certainly kept McLean’s career alive over the following years.

While it’s undoubtedly his biggest hit, a Don McLean show is about much more than one song, offering an experience fans won’t forget anytime soon.

McLean’s forthcoming return to Australia begins with a festival appearance at Savannah In The Round in North Queensland on Saturday, 10 October.

The shows continue at Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall on Monday, 12 October, the Gold Coast’s The Star Theatre on Tuesday, 13 October, Western Sydney’s Coliseum Theatre on Saturday, 17 October, Wollongong’s WIN Entertainment Centre on Sunday, 18 October, Sydney’s State Theatre on Monday, 19 October, Melbourne’s Palais Theatre on Wednesday, 21 October, and conclude at Adelaide’s Thebarton Theatre on Friday, 23 October.

Pre-sale tickets will be available on Friday, 27 March, at 10 am local time, ahead of the general sale on Tuesday, 31 March, at 9 am local time. You can find tickets on the Echo Pacific website.