<P> The repeatedly mentioned phrase `` the day the music died '' refers to the plane crash in 1959 which killed early rock and roll performers Buddy Holly , The Big Bopper , and Ritchie Valens . ( The crash was not known by that name until after McLean 's song became a hit . ) The meaning of the other lyrics has long been debated , and for decades , McLean declined to explain the symbolism behind the many characters and events mentioned . However , the overall theme of the song is the loss of innocence of the early rock and roll generation as symbolized by the plane crash which claimed the lives of three of its heroes . </P>
don mclean 's popular 1971 song american pie was inspired by what event
the plane crash in 1959 which killed early rock and roll performers Buddy Holly , The Big Bopper , and Ritchie Valens