Don McLean's 1969 C.F. Martin & Co. 00-21
Musician
Don McLean
(American, born 1945)
Maker
C.F. Martin & Company
(American, founded 1833)
Date1969
ClassificationsMusic
DescriptionDon McLean's 1969 C.F. Martin & Co. 00-21 guitar, serial number 271490. Orchestra size acoustic guitar with solid spruce top, rosewood back, sides and bridge. Black Boltaron binding, black and white rosette, 12 fret mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, dot markers, black pickguard, slotted headstock with upgraded Schaller strip tuners. In a faux snakeskin hard case.McLean used this guitar live from 1969-1971 and while composing and recording his single, "Vincent," also often credited as "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)." This guitar can also be heard on several other songs on McLean's hit album American Pie (1971), including "Til Tomorrow," "Winterwood," "Empty Chairs," "Sister Fatima," and "The Grave." The album's eponymous single was recorded using a Martin D-28, McLean's traditional guitar choice. However, he was inspired to purchase two Martin 00-21 guitars after hearing blues musician Josh White.
"Vincent" tells the story of artist Vincent van Gogh. McLean wrote the lyrics to the song as he studied a print of The Starry Night, with the goal of speaking to the mental health struggles of both Vincent and his brother Theo van Gogh. The song peaked at #12 in the United States and topped the United Kingdom singles chart for two weeks.
Don McLean (b. 1945) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician best known for his folk rock anthem "American Pie." McLean began performing in the northeast United States after graduating from Iona College in New Rochelle, New York. He released his debut album, Tapestry, in 1970. His second album, American Pie (1971), skyrocketed to number one on the Billboard 200 album charts, led by singles "American Pie" and "Vincent." McLean continued to tour and record well into the 21st century, releasing 20 studio albums as of 2024.
3D Model
