Don McLean Auctioning Handwritten Lyrics To ‘American Pie’ Because He’s Broke

Don McLean's 'American Pie' was released in 1971, went to number 2 on the charts and was so long the first part was on one side of the 45 with part 2 contained on the other (Side B).  In 1991 it was re-released and went to number 12 but had a different song on Side B.  Now you can own the handwritten lyrics.

McLean says, "I'm going to be 70 this year.  I have two children and a wife, and none of them seem to have the mercantile instinct.  I want to get the best deal that I can for them.  It's time."

It is estimated that the lyrics will sell at auction for up to 1.5 million.  They are written on a 16-page document that's never been seen publicly before.  It features 237 lines of manuscript, and 26 lines of typed text.

"I'm going to rid myself of a lot of stuff.  In a year or two, I'm going to have a big auction with guitars, clothes, boots, saddles, silver and watches.  I collect a lot of stuff.  It's time to let other people have it," said McLean.

The auction is scheduled to go down on April 7th.  And this is just the beginning.

[ Via:  Rolling Stone]