The Day the Music Died

A very scatter shot Doc that was also repetitive. I don't want to sit through it twice to verify, but I'm pretty sure they cut to the same quotes from Garth Brooks 4 times in some cases. A lot of time watching... some female artist... recording her version because... maybe she's famous in Europe? Even, if instead of her, it was Paul McCartney, we didn't tune in to see Paul in the studio. We want to hear Don talk about the song. We all know about the Genesis of the first verse, but if you didn't already know the song, you'd be pretty sure it must be 90% about Buddy Holly.

{Side note: They obviously talk a lot about Buddy Holly and some about Ritchie Valens - and play a little of two of his songs - but - though the mention "The Big Bopper" they don't even tell you/mention the name of any of his songs - odd}

Near the end they remembered they should ask Don what some of the imagery was about and he rushed through it like he knew they had to catch a plane.

A wasted opportunity.

Well, first up, I admit that I LOVE Don McLean's American Pie. It's a remarkable, epic work of art that is as relevant now as it was 50 years ago. And I doubt whether there is a more widely known song, spanning generations, across the world.

This program gives us some great insight into Don's life and times and a cultural history of the period. It looks at what it's meant to so many people in so many places.

Some well-known guests talk about the impact of the song over the years, too.

All in all, it's a great tribute to a brilliant singer/songwriter and the magic he created with American Pie.

This documentary was great, an incredible walk back in history about those times and the state of the world then. Learning more about the origins of the song parts was fascinating. Not sure why such negativity from people here.

Editing: Rehashing the same chunks of interview video and audio became annoying rather quickly.

Time: Lasted about half an hour more than necessary.

Content: Spent an inordinate amount of time reviewing the history of the plane crash, and having other musicians praising & covering McLean's work..

Listened to the song hundreds of times during my youth, and it is still an amazing tune, but this documentary just felt contrived and shallow.

Lots of commentary from people that don't need to be talking- why?

Feels like a grab to draw people who wouldn't otherwise give it a second thought; Garth Brooks? Come on, completely unnecessary. Some girl who no one's heard of, Grand Rapids making a video, boomers opining on their desire to take over the world with 'Peace and Love!!', Peter Gallagher's reading something, Weird Al, point is, a lot of people yammering on about something they had nothing to do with trying to make this longer than it needs be.

Just some insight from McLean, HIS ORIGINAL VERSION, HIS explanations, his story, what he meant to do and what it means today. That's it. That's all you needed. Instead it's hours long and listening to people with no business singing it, singing it.

Just a complete waste of what could have been.