The Day the Music died

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.

Having recently had "Vincent" playing on repeat in my brain (first while building a 1000 piece Clementoni puzzle, and then with the 'Starry Starry Night' LEGO set), it'll be an easy transition to "American Pie."

It's a beautiful story, heightened by the voices and words of those intimately involved in its creation, especially that of Don McLean.

Not only will this rekindle, and fan the flames of the much more extensive body of work that McLean undoubtedly has, but also the music of Buddy Holly and Richie Valens, who stirred that deep seated sense of loss, and in doing so, inspired the penning of this timeless classic, a modern day masterpiece.

While the hook may have been to explain some of the nuanced lyrics, or confirm / refute fan theories, the heart of the movie is in the story behind the music, from glimpses of Buddy Holly's early career, the point where his untimely death intersects with then paperboy, Don McLean, all the way to the positive impact it's had, and continues to have, on subsequent generations.

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.

You can always tell the peeps that didn't live through those times. It was more than just about the music. It was more about the emotions of that time and how the lyrics were woven into the times.

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.