Don McLean’s confusing, cryptic but highly regarded song American Pie was first performed at Temple University in Philadelphia on March 14, 1971. McLean, himself, attended Villanova for a bit where he was friends with Upper Darby native and songwriting legend Jim Croce.
The song goes on and on with no end in sight.
Did they know Todd Rundgren?
Croce graduated from Upper Darby High in 1960 and Rundgren in 1966 so they didn’t know each other in high school. Croce and Rundgren were both making their mark in the Philly music scene in ’67 but played different types of music with Rundgren performing downtown and Croce in Lima (sorry Katie, Middletown) near where the Granite Run Mall is. So maybe, maybe not. As noted, McLean and Croce were friends.
Love this song. It is a history of music.
One of my favorite songs of all time. I know all the words by heart. Probably so does anybody else who’s ever heard it. It’s one of those songs where you know all the words even though you never made the conscious effort to memorize them; the lyrics just took up residence in your mind.