Don McLean’s Live in Manchester Concert Makes Digital Debut via StarVista Music
McLean’s live cover of Buddy Holly hit “Everyday” premiered by Cowboys & Indians
Legendary singer-songwriter Don McLean is bringing his classic Live in Manchester concert to the digital world for the first time. StarVista Music has released McLean’s Live in Manchester (1991) performance across YouTube and all major streaming platforms. Previously available only as a 2 CD/DVD physical set, this 1991 concert – recorded at Manchester’s historic Free Trade Hall – has been “lost for over 20 years” until its 2014 remastered release. Now, fans worldwide can experience the magic of that night in high-quality digital audio and video. In celebration, Cowboys & Indians magazine hosts an exclusive premiere of the concert’s opening number, McLean’s rendition of Buddy Holly’s “Everyday,” on their website.
A Classic 1991 Concert, Now Streaming Globally
Recorded on October 22, 1991, before a sold-out crowd at the Free Trade Hall, ‘Live in Manchester’ captures Don McLean “in peak form” performing an expansive set of hits and fan favorites. The concert remained unreleased for decades – “lost for over 20 years” – until the master tapes were rediscovered and restored for a 2014 archival CD/DVD release. That release marked the first ever audio and video availability of this show, and it quickly became a treasured collector’s item. Now, through StarVista’s distribution deal with McLean, the entire concert is being made available on digital platforms for the first time, enabling a new generation to enjoy its legendary performances.
Fans can look forward to over 90 minutes of music, including McLean’s iconic originals and beloved covers. The Live in Manchester set list spans his career – from chart-topping classics “American Pie” and “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)” to other hits like “Crying” and “Castles in the Air,” all delivered with the songwriting legend’s unmistakable voice and charm McLean also pays tribute to his musical roots with covers such as Buddy Holly’s “Everyday,” making this concert a time capsule of folk-rock excellence. “Song favorites include his classics ‘American Pie,’ ‘Vincent,’ ‘Crying’ and ‘Castles in the Air’,” as noted in the original release. With the new digital rollout, long-time listeners and first-time fans alike can stream or download these performances on services like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and watch the concert on YouTube in high definition.
Don McLean on Bringing ‘Live in Manchester’ to Digital
“It’s hard to believe this concert was sitting unheard for so long – it was a special night for me in 1991,” says Don McLean, reflecting on the Manchester performance. “I remember the electricity in that hall. We were in Manchester, but the energy felt like everybody in the world was singing along. I played everything from ‘American Pie’ to Buddy Holly’s ‘Everyday’ – Buddy was one of my heroes, so opening with his song was my tribute to the roots of rock ‘n’ roll. I’m thrilled that, thanks to StarVista, fans everywhere can now experience this show as if they were there. It’s like unlocking a time capsule – the music sounds just as fresh and alive today, and I can’t wait for people to enjoy it on their favorite streaming platforms.”
StarVista’s team is equally excited about the release. Tom Hemesath, Vice President of Sales at StarVista Music, comments: “Don McLean is an American music icon, and we’re honored to partner with him in bringing this legendary concert to digital platforms. Fans have been asking for ‘Live in Manchester’ in streaming format for years, and we’re delighted to finally deliver. This release is a perfect example of what StarVista strives for – preserving classic performances and making them accessible to audiences everywhere. Don’s performance in Manchester captures him at his best, and whether you’ve loved his music for decades or are just discovering it, you’re in for a real treat. We look forward to working with Don on more projects like this and continuing to share his unparalleled catalog with the world.”
Watch the Cowboys & Indians exclusive premiere of “Everyday” video + interview:
https://www.cowboysindians.com/2025/08/don-mclean-goes-digital-with-live-in-manchester/
To stream/download ‘Live in Manchester’, visit: https://lnk.to/DonMcLeanLiveInManchester
Recent Achievements and Upcoming Plans
The digital release of Live in Manchester comes amid a flurry of activity and accolades for Don McLean. Earlier this year, he celebrated the reissue of several classic albums on vinyl and CD and even took the stage to perform at the 32nd Annual Movieguide Awards, demonstrating that his music continues to earn acclaim across generations. In May 2025, McLean was invited to speak at the prestigious Oxford Union Society in England – a visit that coincided with a historic moment. His enduring anthem “American Pie” was embraced as a celebratory theme when Pope Leo XIV was inaugurated as the first American-born Pope, with “American Pie” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” played in his honor. The sight of world leaders and dignitaries joining in the chorus of “American Pie” underscored the song’s unparalleled cultural impact more than 50 years after its release.
On the touring front, Don McLean’s live calendar remains busy. This spring, McLean signed on with Day After Day Productions for exclusive worldwide touring representation, ensuring that his live show will continue to reach audiences far and wide. The partnership signals an exciting new chapter in McLean’s live career, with extensive tour dates planned through 2025 and 2026. In fact, the Live in Manchester digital release arrives just as McLean is back on the road: he’s headlining summer concerts and gearing up for a special “50+ Years of American Pie” celebration tour. (McLean’s signature song turned 50 in 2021, and its legacy is still in full force – including being featured in major films like Avengers: Black Widow and earning McLean a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during its golden anniversary year.)
Upcoming Tour Dates: Fans can catch Don McLean live on the following dates (with more to be announced):
August 14, 2025 – Albany, OR @ Monteith Riverpark (River Rhythms Free Concert Series)
August 15, 2025 – Medford, OR @ Craterian Theater at The Collier Center
August 23, 2025 – Cape May, NJ @ Cape May Convention Hall (Summer Concert Series)
August 25, 2025 – Mount Pleasant, MI @ Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort
October 3, 2025 – Arlington, TX @ Arlington Music Hall
October 18, 2025 – Lincoln, RI @ Bally’s Event Center
October 26, 2025 – St. Charles, IL @ Arcada Theatre
December 14, 2025 – Alexandria, VA @ Birchmere Music Hall
January 30, 2026 – Palm Springs, CA @ Plaza Theatre
February 7, 2026 – Beverly Hills, CA @ Saban Theatre
March 23, 2026 – Clearwater, FL @ Capitol Theatre
(All tour dates are subject to change; visit Don McLean’s official website for the latest updates.)
About Don McLean:
Don McLean is a GRAMMY Award honoree, a Songwriter Hall of Fame member, and a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. His smash hit “American Pie” resides in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry and was named a Top 5 Song of the 20th Century by the Recording Industry of America (RIAA). A New York native, Don McLean is one of American history’s most revered and respected songwriters. After paying his dues in the New York club scene in the late 1960s, he went on to score mega-hits like “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night),” “Castles in the Air” and many more. His catalog of songs has been recorded by Madonna, Garth Brooks, Josh Groban, Drake, “Weird Al” Yankovic, and countless others. In 2015, McLean’s handwritten manuscript of “American Pie” lyrics was auctioned by Christie’s, selling for just over $1.2 Million. 2019 honored Don with a star on the Las Vegas Walkway of Stars, and his song “And I Love You So” was the theme for Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s wedding. Don landed a new recording contract with Time Life in 2020, with whom he released a catalog of recordings and a new album ‘Still Playin’ Favorites’. In 2021, Don’s “American Pie” was featured in the Avengers’ ‘Black Widow’ and the Tom Hanks movie ‘Finch’. McLean received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, celebrated the 50th anniversary of “American Pie,” and recorded a version of the song with a cappella group Home Free. In 2022, McLean received six Telly Awards for his collaboration with international heavyweight Tyson Fury, released ‘American Pie: A Fable’ children’s book, and was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame. In 2023, the Telly award-winning documentary ‘The Day The Music Died: The Story of Don McLean’s American Pie’ was released on DVD and Blu-Ray. McLean was inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame during a public ceremony along with Darius Rucker, Joe Galante, and Duane Eddy in Nashville, Tennessee in 2023. In 2024, President Yoon of South Korea sang “American Pie” for a delighted audience of White House guests in Washington, D.C. Later that year McLean was invited to attend a State Dinner at the White House honoring President Ruto of Kenya. His latest album, ‘American Boys,’ was also released in 2024 as well as another award-winning children’s book based on his hit song “Vincent.”
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About StarVista Music:
With years of experience distributing entertainment-based content and live entertainment through our sister company, StarVista LIVE, StarVista Music is a trusted and effective label partner. We provide world-class resources, including multi-channel marketing, publicity, promotion, in-house creative expertise, and long-standing industry relationships and partnerships built over our history.