Known to fans as the 'American Troubadour' or 'King of the Trail', he is best known for his 1971 hit song ' American Pie', an eight-and-a-half-minute folk rock 'cultural touchstone' about the loss of innocence of the early rock and roll generation. Donald McLean III / m ə ˈ k l eɪ n/ (born October 2, 1945) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.