A long, long time ago ... a singer-songwriter called Don McLean created an eight-minute classic which is now an established piece of global music.

American Pie - written in 1971 - is timeless.

A song with enigmatic lyrics and rousing chorus.

The words never fully explained by its writer.

The album of the same name also gave us the beautiful ballad tribute - Vincent.

Don is an inventor, since his initial success - the troubadour Donald McLean (the third) is universally renowned for his influence and inspiration.

Vocalist, guitarist and banjo player, he has consistently toured and has always played The acoustically sublime Philharmonic Hall Liverpool, he says, is a singing city.

And it's a joy for him coming back to Merseyside but he poinyed out to sighs ... he may not tour so widely again.

His support act, Elles Bailey, is a name to look out for - a Bristol songstress with stunnig material.

She is also a Don Fan.

I first saw him in concert at this very venue in 1973 when I was a schoolboy and the ticket price was under £2.

I saved my pocket money from my paper round.

Here I was again - five decades on - and even inflation could not stop me going down this musical memory lane.

Don McLean's music - like that of Gilbert O'Sullivan, Leo Sayer and The Beatles - has been the soundtrack to my life and so many others, too.

At my father's funeral we played Don's version of Mountains of Mourne.

And I have been fortunate as a journalist to interview the great man.

Don is currently on a huge tour to mark the 50th anniversary of the American Pie album.

He never has the same play list.

And he never ever ceases to leave audiences feeling good.

He took us on a journey through his back catalogue from the debut album Tapestry to the lovely covers album Playin' Favourites and his reflective Botanical Gardens.

He glided through his hits: Everyday, Castles in the Air and the much-covered And I Love You So.

He covered the Woody Guthrie song Hard Travelin' and told stories in between songs.

It all led to a stunning finale of American Pie in front of a huge 'thumbs up' backdrop with the audience his mass enthusiastic backing singers.

He returned with an encore - a rarity on this tour - and it was the inspirational Elvis Presley standard Heartbreak Hotel.

But this was ultimately a wonderful celebration - a salute to the song we've loved for all these years - American Pie.

In Don's hands ... the music never died.

Five Stars (one for each decade).

Legend - A Good old boy!

Tour details Don.mclean.com