General Information Artist: Don McLean Title: American Pie Label: United Artists Records Catalog number: UST 5535 B Format: Reel-to-Reel, 4 Track, 3 ¾ IPS, Stereo Year: 1971 Country: USA Edition: Original Magtec Pressing Genre: Folk Rock / Singer-Songwriter Description Released in 1971, American Pie is the second studio album by singer-songwriter Don McLean. The album is a cornerstone of American folk-rock history, catapulting McLean to international stardom. The title track, "American Pie," is an epic eight-minute poem famously dedicated to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, documenting "the day the music died." Beyond the title track, the album contains the poignant "Vincent" (a tribute to Vincent van Gogh) and "And I Love You So," which later became a major hit for Perry Como. The album's themes of disillusionment and the shifting landscape of American culture in the late 1960s and early 1970s made it a definitive recording of its era. Condition Reel: Presumed MINT (unplayed) Box: Factory-sealed, never opened (small piece of original shrink is missed on front side and split on the mouth side, see pics) Notes for collectors This is a rare Reel-to-Reel version of the album, part of "The Rainbow Collection" series by United Artists. While the vinyl version sold millions, the 4-track open-reel format was produced in much smaller quantities, making factory-sealed copies exceptionally difficult to find today. A notable detail for collectors is the manufacturing credit to MAGTEC, based in North Hollywood, California. Magtec was a high-quality tape duplicator of the era. The presence of the original shrink wrap, despite a very small "breather" tear common for age, ensures the tape has never been exposed to the elements or played. Matrix/Labels Manufacturer: Magtec, North Hollywood, California 91605 Label Details: United Artists Records, Inc., Los Angeles, California 90028 Spine Identifier: UST 5535 B Copyright: MCMLXXI (1971) United Artists Records, Inc. Country of Origin: Printed in U.S.A.