03-13 Spencer Proffer, producer of the new documentary: “The Day The Music Died - The Story of Don McLean's American Pie”

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Spencer Proffer is out latest guest. Spencer has over 120 film and TV credits including; Producer, music consultant, music supervisor, music director, composer and more. His passion for music put Quiet Riot on the map, along with many other artists like: Cheap Trick, Heart, Eddie Money, Beach Boys and more! Meteor 17 is Spencer’s production company and they have just released the new Documentary – The Day The Music Died – The Story of Don McLean’s American Pie, which is now streaming on Paramount Plus. The documentary focuses on the highly successful song and with Don McLean’s help, the meaning behind the lyrics of this iconic song. We also talk with Spencer about his upcoming documentary: “Elvis and Steve” and how he put Quiet Riot on the map of rock!

Show Notes:

Check out The Day the Music Died – The Story of Don McLean’s American Pie on Paramount +

 Movie Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5TvCEgTOJA&t=2s

Don’s website: https://donmclean.com/home/

 To learn more about Spencer and his company, check out his website at: https://www.meteor17.com/

McLean performs American Pie for its 50th anniversary at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. This is where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper performed on Feb. 3, 1959. The deaths of the three men partially inspired American Pie.

McLean, right, meets Connie Valens, sister of singer Ritchie Valens, backstage at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. (Morling Manor Music Corp)

 American Pie Lyrics:

A long, long time ago

I can still remember how that music used to make me smile

And I knew if I had my chance

That I could make those people dance

And maybe they’d be happy for a while

But February made me shiver

With every paper I’d deliver

Bad news on the doorstep

I couldn’t take one more step

 

I can’t remember if I cried

When I read about his widowed bride

But something touched me deep inside

The day the music died

 

[Chorus:]

So bye, bye, Miss American Pie

Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry

Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey ‘n rye

Singin’ this’ll be the day that I die

This’ll be the day that I die

 

Did you write the book of love

And do you have faith in God above

If the Bible tells you so?

Now do you believe in rock and roll?

Can music save your mortal soul?

And can you teach me how to dance real slow?

 

Well, I know that you’re in love with him

‘Cause I saw you dancin’ in the gym

You both kicked off your shoes

Man, I dig those rhythm and blues

 

I was a lonely teenage broncin’ buck

With a pink carnation and a pickup truck

But I knew I was out of luck

The day the music died

 

[Chorus:]

 

Now for ten years we’ve been on our own

And moss grows fat on a rollin’ stone

But that’s not how it used to be

When the jester sang for the king and queen

In a coat he borrowed from James Dean

And a voice that came from you and me

 

Oh, and while the king was looking down

The jester stole his thorny crown

The courtroom was adjourned

No verdict was returned

 

And while Lennon read a book on Marx

The quartet practiced in the park

And we sang dirges in the dark

The day the music died

 

[Chorus:]

 

Helter skelter in a summer swelter

The birds flew off with a fallout shelter

Eight miles high and falling fast

It landed foul on the grass

The players tried for a forward pass

With the jester on the sidelines in a cast

 

Now the halftime air was sweet perfume

While the sergeants played a marching tune

We all got up to dance

Oh, but we never got the chance

 

‘Cause the players tried to take the field

The marching band refused to yield

Do you recall what was revealed

The day the music died?

 

[Chorus:]

 

Oh, and there we were all in one place

A generation lost in space

With no time left to start again

So come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick

Jack Flash sat on a candlestick

‘Cause fire is the devil’s only friend

 

Oh, and as I watched him on the stage

My hands were clenched in fists of rage

No angel born in Hell

Could break that Satan’s spell

 

And as the flames climbed high into the night

To light the sacrificial rite

I saw Satan laughing with delight

The day the music died

 

[Chorus:]

 

I met a girl who sang the blues

And I asked her for some happy news

But she just smiled and turned away

I went down to the sacred store

Where I’d heard the music years before

But the man there said the music wouldn’t play

 

And in the streets, the children screamed

The lovers cried and the poets dreamed

But not a word was spoken

The church bells all were broken

 

And the three men I admire most

The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost

They caught the last train for the coast

The day the music died

Inspired by childhood memories of the singer/songwriter of the iconic anthem, “American Pie,” Don McLean’s American Pie: A Fable was brought to life as a children’s book by the creative team at Meteor 17, a full-service media organization that actively conceives and participates through all phases of deal-making, production, marketing, and distribution.

American Pie the Fable can be found here:

Order a autographed copy from Don McLean’s website: https://donmclean.com/product/childrens-book-american-pie-a-fable-autographed/

Or

https://www.amazon.com/Don-McLeans-American-Pie-Fable/dp/1957317019/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2GKASM88MKPIW&keywords=american+pie+a+fable&qid=1664655683&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjQwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wOCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&s=books&sprefix=american+pie%2Cstripbooks%2C167&sr=1-1

Legendary Tips and Guitar Tricks with Don McLean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4d1lo8oEsk

 Different artists versions of American Pie:

Home Free - American Pie ft. Don McLean (Official Music Video) shown in the documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RlTZdYXcKg

Jade Bird - American Pie (Official Video) shown in the documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDbQMVHMW5Q

John Mayer sings American Pie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqOKdRwRytI

The Brady Bunch (audio only): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7peFHjFoblk

Harry Belafonte with Petula Clark - On The Path Of Glory : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQXVjY1oqRo

Quiet Riot – Come On Feel The Noise – Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFOxffZSdfc

Spencer talks about working with Brian May on this film: THE ADVENTURES OF PINOCCHIO (1996) – see the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdSZWvO7DU4

 Spencer’s Sons:

            Sterling Proffer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sterlingproffer

            Morgan Proffer: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5168073/