When Don McLean was 15 years old, he had a premonition that his father was going to die. Distraught, he ran to tell his grandmother. “Don’t be ridiculous, Donny, why would you say such a thing?” she said. “Because it’s going to happen,” the boy replied. A few days later, his father dropped dead right in front of him. “I saw how he looked,” says McLean. “He’d turned green. I didn’t know what I was going to do without him. He was the king, the boss. He knew everything.”

The singer-songwriter behind the 1971 classic American Pie is speaking from his home in Palm Desert, a town in California where he is now well into what he calls the “desert phase” of his life. Wildfires are still burning across the state. You can’t see the sun for the acrid smoke. “I’m feeling it in my lungs,” says the 75-year-old.

So what did he do when his father died? “I cried for two years,” he says. “I blamed myself.” We’ve been talking about death for half an hour – his father’s and his feelings about his own. “I’m nearing the end of the high-dive,” he says. “Know what I mean?” It’s the big McLean theme running through his songwriting, from American Pie to the virtually unknown Run Diana Run, a weird musical dirge about Princess Diana.

‘The day the music died’ … the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly is thought to be one of the song’s references – but McLean hints it could be about his father’s death.
‘The day the music died’ … the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly is thought to be one of the song’s references – but McLean hints it could be about his father’s death. Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty Images
We’re meeting, though, to talk about his era-spanning epic: that rollicking eight-and-a-half minute run-through of the 1960s after the decade closed. The Recording Industry Association of America has the song in its top five, behind Over the Rainbow and White Christmas; it’s been covered by everyone from Madonna to Tyson Fury, who sang it after knocking out Deontay Wilder earlier this year; and the original handwritten lyrics sold in 2015 for $1.2m (£800,000), the third highest auction price ever for an American literary manuscript.

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Legends honors the incomparable Archie Jordan, songwriter extraordinaire. After interviewing famed songwriter Archie Jordan on Legends, I was struck with his humility, skilled storytelling and dedication to the craft of writing. After nearly thirty years of performing and writing award winning songs, Archie Jordan is beginning a new phase in his spiritual and professional life. Archie’s most famous song, What A Difference You’ve Made In My Life has been recorded by B.J. Thomas, Ronnie Milsap and Amy Grant, to name a few. Hear about writing It Was Almost Like A Song and Let’s Take the Long Way Around the World. Learn about the secret to collaborative success with notable artists like Hal David and others.

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Legends honors the world renown photographer- Joe McNally- as seen in Time, Life, Sports Illustrated, National Geographic and many others. His book is brilliant- The Real Deal- Field Notes from the Life of a Working Photographer. This conversation talks about the art and science of photographer. Visit www.joemcnally.com today to learn more.
One special story told is about Joe's friend Bill Etheridge who took the bus boy holding RFK's head seconds after being shot in LA.

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When you visit Austin, Texas you MUST hear the legendary band The Pearl Snaps. As Texas dancers say, "if you are going to dance in Texas, you better two step and waltz to The Pearl Snaps." Featured today is their multi-instrumentalist Stephen McCarthy. He is the dapper dressed, mustachio pianist and accordion player. Hear his special love of music and how it manifest itself into a stylist approach to country music. Visit www.thepearlsnaps.com to find out where to dance to this legendary band. Go by and say hello to Stephen and the rest of the band. Enjoy Stephen's explanation of significance....being the right person at the right time...giving a moment of grace.

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At 18, Raad Mobrem met Paul Orfalea, founder of Kinkos. Inspired by Paul, he was inspired to start a company. Upon graduation from college, Raad started his first enterprise. Inside that business, they built an operating system to track purchase orders, inventory, etc. They fixed their own back office issues with this operating system, scaled it and ultimately sold to Intuit. Today, you know the system as Quickbooks online. The first person he called and thanked was Paul Orfalea (followed by his two favorite mentors- his Mom and Dad). After leaving Intuit, Raad reflected on about his rapid rise. He considered how networking and access can lead to success. The big headline: Learn from people of wisdom and hang with futurists( thought leaders that are always one or two steps ahead of the rest). For his next act, why not build a company around the notion of solving problems through access to wisdom? Today, his Intro company connects true experts to leaders in need of solutions. The end result: access to wisdom leads to solutions, improving the probability of success. On this show, we recognize Intro and Raad for their innovative thinking, NOW influencing millions of people to move from success to significance. Enjoy this inspiring interview and visit www.intro.co today.

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Legendary heroes and people of God are amongst us, especially in Washington D.C. Success Made to Last Legends features Chaplain Margaret Grun Kibben, U.S. House of Representatives and Retired Rear Admiral. Chaplain Kibben shares stories of mentoring others and provides a call to action to increase TRUST.

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Inspired by B.B. King, the Beatles, the Eagles and Rick Derringer (Rock N Roll Hoochie Coo), John Christian has written some of the most marketable songs and lyrics that are relatable to the masses. Hear the backstory behind Taking the Show on the Road, Let's Go to the Diner and Fried Chicken Boogie. To learn more about John's music and license for your brand, visit www.johnchristianmusic.com.

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Success with Dr. Frank Allen, author, Grand Master of multiple martial arts, zen master, and ultimate mentor. Listen to Dr. Allen's deep wisdom, humor, and glean some beautiful life lessons from this sage. Dr. Frank E. Allen is a Licensed Professional Counselor. He brings 45 years of experience to his professional practice, specializing in individual, marital, and group psychotherapy.

Education & Training:

B.A. in Psychology from Rice University in 1974
M.A. in Human Development Counseling from the University of Denver in 1977
Ed.D. in Educational Counseling from the University of Houston in 1979
Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the Houston Family Institute,1980-1981
Private Practice since 1982
Other Interests & Experience:

Student of “A Course In Miracles” for 40 years
Explorer of Eastern Philosophy for 40 years
Meditation Practice for 40 years
Certified Hypnotherapist and Past Life Regression
Leader of psychological/spiritual workshops and retreats for 40 years
Author of 8 books on Psychology/Spirituality
Grand Master (10th Degree Black Belt) in several Martial Arts

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Taylor Alexander Carruthers is featured on Young Legends. He is the founder of Humanimalart.com, a songwriter, musician, entrepreneur and NFT expert. He is wise beyond his years and knows the value of collaboration. Enjoy this one and be inspired to greatness.

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Gen Cleary is truly a legend as a Creative Director. From originating live shows, Disney programs, and stars in residency for Las Vegas shows, Gen has been THE innovator to watch. She created the first platform to elevate women in the entertainment industry AND to today she talks about SOUND and sensorial experiences. Through HUM, her company and collaborative teams help connect us with the power of sound....to truly transform others. Visit www.letsmakesomenoise.com.

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