Bye Bye Mrs. American Pie. Patrisha McLean, wife of famed singer songwriter Don McLean, has filed for divorce after 28 years and two kids. She cited “adultery, cruel and abusive treatment, and irreconcilable differences.”
In January, Pat called the police and filed a domestic assault charge against the famed singer songwriter of “American Pie” and “Vincent (Starry Starry Night).” In her complaint, Patrisha wrote that Don has access to firearms, has a gun, knives, and a baseball bat in his car. She said he told her “If I have a stroke (over my leaving) I will get my gun and kill you.” She also said that she is Jewish, and that he called her a “Hebe.” She said on January 17, he terrorized her four hours until she called 911.
Later Patrisha assured me Don was not anti-Semitic. But I have my doubts after reading that statement.
McLean has never been a mixer, or someone from the Seventies– like Billy Joel, let’s say, or even Al Green– who wanted to be part of the pop world. He told the Irish Times last year: “I like to be left alone.” Now he’s getting his wish.
Elsewhere in that interview he answered this question– If I wasn’t a singer I’d be . . .An alcoholic.
Pat McLean is neither Don’s first wife nor the woman he was with when he took off like a rocket in 1972. That was Carol Sauvion, to whom he was married from 1969 to 1972. That was when “American Pie” became a million seller and a radio staple. McLean’s prior album, “Tapestry,” was revived with it. (Yes, he had a “Tapestry” album before Carole King.)
Sauvion has never said why she left, but she’s gone on to quite a nice career. She owns the very successful Freehand Gallery in Los Angeles, and hosts Craft in America for PBS. She remarried, and has a son and stepdaughter. Some upscale galleries like Freehand sell artist Gary Rosenthal’s ceramic dreidels. Savion’s does not. (McLean had a hit in 1973 called “Dreidel.”)
In that Irish Times interview, McLean also answered this question– Who do you need to apologise to? Answer: I don’t need to apologise to anyone.
But that doesn’t seem to be true. What a terrible sign off for his career, and for his fans (I was certainly one a long time ago.) I think there’s a chance we’ll one day hear Pat McLean’s full story, and it’s going to be very disappointing.
