Buddy Holly The Rolling Stones had a hit version of the song in 1964. Richards later said, "[Holly] passed it on via the Beatles and via [the Rolling Stones] ... He's in everybody". Don McLean's popular 1971 ballad "American Pie" was inspired by Holly's death and the day of the plane crash. The song's lyric, which calls the incident "The Day the Music Died", became popularly associated with the crash. McLean's album "American Pie" is dedicated to Holly. In 2015, McLean wrote, "Buddy Holly would have the same stature musically whether he would have lived or died, because of his accomplishments ...
American Pie (Don McLean album) what was becoming a fragmented music scene. The album was reissued in 1980 without the song "Sister Fatima", and again on June 27, 2003 with the track restored, along with the addition of two bonus tracks. Also the first Spanish issue delivered by Hispavox was released without "Sister Fatima". In February 2003 George Michael recorded a cover of "The Grave" as a protest against the imminent Iraq War. All songs written by Don McLean except where noted. American Pie (Don McLean album) American Pie is the second studio album by the American singer-songwriter Don McLean, released by United Artists Records