The classic American hit “American Pie”, a song that still resonates with audiences in difficult times, is the subject of producer Spencer Proffer’s documentary The Day the Music Died.

In the documentary, Spencer Proffer explores the meaning of Don McLean’s song, while the singer-songwriter himself talks about the 1959 Iowa plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and Giles. “Big Bopper” Richardson is a reference to “American Pie”. The phrase “The Day the Music Died”, which has had many different interpretations over the years, is considered both a reference to the collapse and a warning of the danger of violent uprisings.

The documentary begins with a plane crash and returns to the Surf Ballroom, where the stars played their last concert. The creator of the documentary appeared before the camera of the man who was present at that fateful concert, as well as the owner of the airline that chartered the plane. It also includes a touching interview with Valens’ sister Connie, who thanks McLean for immortalizing her brother in song.

The documentary also features fellow music icons Garth Brooks, Peter Gallagher and Brian Wilson revealing their own take on the song’s huge success.

“American Pie” is considered the most iconic song in the music industry.

In the early 1970s, America was at a cultural crossroads. When McLean wrote this song in 1971, the country was still reeling from a sort of collective post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by the shocking events of the 1960s, such as the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy, civil rights riots and the start of the Vietnam War. The 8.5-minute song talks about politics, youth culture, and the defining events of the 1950s and 1960s.

McLean was virtually unknown before the song was released. Upon graduation, he was hailed as the leading voice of his generation.

In an earlier interview, the singer explained that he wanted his lyrics to show that politics and music influence each other and flow in parallel together, forward.

“The documentary will make people think, especially since over the years I have been asked what certain lyrics mean or who I mean, but now I can finally solve many of these mysteries,” the Deadline singer told .

The documentary premiered on July 19 on the Paramount+ streaming service.

Source: RES-EMI