DON MCLEAN | 76

Another influential personality on the list is Don McLean, who made a significant impact on American music. He wrote, composed, and recorded one of the country’s most famous tunes, American Pie. The song topped music charts, and it remains to be McLean’s most successful single released. The song is considered an icon for many generations, it even got inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002. Another trivia, the song’s original manuscript was sold at an auction for $1,205,000. McLean credits his personal experiences that gave heart to the song. He continues to perform and is also active in charity.

Over the years, his hit song American Pie is not slowing down. In 2000, Madonna made a rendition of the said song, and of course, it was another hit. In 2004, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In January 2018, BMI certified American Pie to have reached five million airplays.