Don McLean Fined For Speeding In School Zone
Rockland, ME – Don McLean was fined $400 on Thursday for speeding through a school zone in Maine.
The “American Pie” singer was slapped with the fine after he was caught driving his Chrysler (and sadly not a Chevy) too quickly in the Rockport school zone.
When initially facing the speeding charge in September, McLean contested the charge, claiming that the school zone warning lights weren’t flashing. He requested a trial but was found guilty on Thursday by Judge Patricia Worth.
During Thursday’s 40-minute proceeding in Rockland District Court, police disputed the 67-year-old singer’s claim, stating that the warning lights were flashing.
As a result, Don McLean was fined $515 by Judge Worth, who said it would be lowered to $400 if McLean did not contest the decision. McLean opted to pay up immediately.
McLean came to prominence in 1971 when he released his hit “American Pie,” a song about the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper in a plane crash on February 3, 1959.
“American Pie” has proven a huge earner for McLean. Some estimates suggest the singer still pulls in $300,000 a year in royalties for the track. We think he’ll be able to just about cover his fine.
Here’s Don McLean singing “American Pie” in 1972:
