American Pie star Don McLean on song ahead of Glasgow and Edinburgh tour dates

“It’s very satisfying if you can put on a good show at my age. It’s not just a paycheck, it’s a life force for me.”

In the words of his most famous song, it was a long, long time ago but Don McLean can still remember.

After nearly 50 years in the music industry the American troubadour has seen many changes none more so than in Glasgow.

“When I first came to the city 40 years ago the buildings were all boarded up and it was a tough, rough town,” he said.

“I played the Apollo and it was big, dark, freezing and dirty, but the crowds were great. I’ve seen Glasgow come back and now it’s beautiful.

“Belfast’s the same. I went over in the ’70s to play when no one else would.

“It’s funny how things change the new album I’ve just released, Live In Manchester, was recorded at the Free Trade Hall in 1991.

“What I didn’t realise is it’s since been converted into a hotel and I’ve actually slept there on tour!”

Don’s been in the news plenty as of late after he decided to sell the extensive notes he penned while writing his iconic song, American Pie, in 1971.

The 16-page document sold at auction for $1.2 million but the New Yorker was left bemused at headlines stating the real meaning behind the song would finally be revealed.

“All these years, people have been talking about the song and it’s a bit of an obsession for some it must be so boring for people who don’t care about it!

“For me, it’s like the end of something, so I thought I would let people look the notes over and make their own decision. It really just shows how my mind operates.

“I’m 70 this year and had thought of selling some things for a while, and this felt the right time.

“The notes show the crazy ideas I had and the way I sort through them, the process, and I thought that would be interesting to see.

“But people can draw whatever conclusions they want from it. All that can be revealed has been revealed!”

The song is a snapshot of how America looked to Don at that time and he’s still finding song inspiration all around him today.

He’ll release a new album, Botanical Gardens, later in the year and the first song from it shows Don at his observational best.

“I wrote Waving Man, based on this elderly guy I drive past every day where I live in Maine. He sits outside his care home, waving at every passing car, and smoking.

“I’d seen him for years and began fantasising about his life. He wore a veteran’s cap, so I just invented his story and, as it turned out, I wasn’t too far off.

“I’ve never met him because he ended up getting a lot of publicity after the song started airing, so I don’t want to milk it. But I know he’s happy with it.”

Don’s about to start a UK and Ireland tour, and he says being on the road keeps him going.

“I like the idea of having to keep myself together on tour, rather than letting myself go, drinking beer and getting fat.

“It’s very satisfying if you can put on a good show at my age. It’s not just a paycheck, it’s a life force for me.

“And my songs are hard to sing. Songs like Vincent and Crying, they have to be sung correctly.

“There’s a difference between someone who opens their mouth and lets out a sound and a singer, like Elvis. It’s an athletic ability.”

It would be understandable if Don had grown tired of singing his best-known songs on stage every night.

But the songwriter has a refreshing view of the way an audience looks at those who entertain them.

“You have to play the songs people want to hear, you can’t disappoint them.

“The crowd doesn’t care about the person on stage that much artists think they have an adoring audience, but if you make enough mistakes they’ll find someone else to care about.

“I’ve lasted because I have respect for the audience and I have a repertoire.

“I’ve had a lifetime of doing this and it’s wonderful to see it turn out like it did.

“Many artists in the ’60s and ’70s had lots of talent but just never got traction with an audience, so I have a great deal to be thankful for.

“I have a big-time career going on 47 years and that’s not easy, so I owe my audience a great deal of respect.”

Don McLean Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, May 26, Edinburgh Usher Hall, May 27, Gateshead May 29.