When Bruce Phillips was in Saratoga for his penultimate time, for a gig at Lena's with the Rose Tatoo, I was fortunate enough to spend a few hours walking around our old haunts with him. The wife of one of the Tatoos was with us, sorry I can't remember her name, and Bruce was recalling old times, old friends, and just telling outrageous stories. I knew they were all true, because I was present for most of them back in the day. One of the best of them involved Don McLean and American Pie. Apparently, after a gig, Don, Bruce and others eventually found their way to the Tin and Lint on Caroline Street. Everyone was very drunk, and Don lay down on a table and passed out while everyone else continued doing what we all did back then. When it was time to leave, Bruce woke Don up, and noticed a bunch of napkins with writing on them scattered about. Bruce thought they might be something Don would want, so he gathered them up and gave them to Don the next morning at Lena's apartment where they were all staying. Bruce recalled that Don had no recollection of writing on the napkins, and what was written there was American Pie. So, if this story is true, who knows what Don was thinking when he wrote it? I personally believe this, all the other stories Bruce told that day were true, and he certainly had no reason to make this one up.

Mike