So cool that McLean asked Home Free to help him celebrate the 50th anniversary of this song. They honored this classic. And McLean also asked them to sing the chorus at the ceremony when he was presented with his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
And Weird Al MC'd it because of his parody of American Pie called, “The Saga Begins”. There is a full YT video I saw once but have never been able to find it again, it's on here somewhere. :)
Similarly Kenny Rogers said in the talk after their collaboration with him on "Children Go Where I Send Thee" that his son's teachers told him about HF, he looked them up & got them them to sing it with him.
You guys seriously NEED to jam out with their cover of the Doobie Brothers' "Listen to the Music"!! OMG, they all killed it, individually and altogether, but Adam Rupp absolutely cut loose on it!! 😳🤯 He not only took over the TWO drumkits used by the Doobies, but he added in a few new sound effects AND it's him singing the ethereal high notes that resemble a synth throughout the song!! 🎶❤ If that one doesn't get you moving in your seats, nothing will! 😉 It brings back great memories for me. Hopefully it will for y'all, too.
Don McLean was a solo artist who was the original writer/singer on this monster hit about the deaths of Buddy Holly, Richie Vallens and the Big Bopper.. Don reached out to Home Free to do a 50th anniversary tribute release of the song. This was done during quarantine and the parts was recorded separately and edited together. This is such a long song that Adam Rupp was very lightheaded by the end of the song. Nice reaction , you guys have a blessed day
Don was 75 yrs old when it released this amazing version with Home Free I think he still sounds great. They did this for the 50th anniversary of the release of this song and won 3 Telly awards for it. Don wrote this song in 1971 about the tragic plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and Big Bobber in 1959 and other stuff that was happening in the 1960’s
This was during Covid so I thought the boxes were clever. Reminded me of shadow boxes you put your memories in. Don sounded great for 75! When Don got the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame he asked Home Free to come and celebrate with him. How cool is that?! Everyone sounded great.
Don is 78 years old. Don's manager approached Home Free to do this on the 50th Anniversary of the song. They won several telly awards for this video (all of them), and Don finally got his star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame and invited Home Free to be there to sing a snippet of his song acapella. Pretty cool!
The videos off to the side are Don's personal home movies. I love this arrangement and how it gave everyone a solo but showcased Don and gave him the proper respect. Great video.
I believe that Don McClean was 75yo in this video. He did great! I love that each of the guys sang a verse, like they are each paying tribute to Don himself. Great reaction!
Binged on yall this am. Love you guys. The Pie video was done during covid. Again they all worked from home and the producer put them into the picture frame. Great editing along with the 1960s videos.
What an honor it must be to be able to sing with Don McLean and the result is so great. With a Home Free twist but still respecting the original. The harmony is amazing again. And what a great voice Don McLean still has. My childhood memory of this song is that I always had to sing along. And now I do that again.
Absolutely loved this! Well worth the wait! So glad you guys enjoyed this one! Especially Jersey, bouncing away to the music. =P Oh and Ogre, if you think Tim's "high stuff" makes you question your life choices now, just wait till you dive into his solo work. ;) Great reaction guys! Keep up the awesomeness!
The videography is virtually beyond grasping the complexity! The vignettes and moving around here to there and the memories brought back plus Don's vocals! Truly a masterpiece in every way!!!
Such a creative way to continue to put out videos--in spite of quarantine! 🥰 And goodness--one wonders how the amazing Adam Rupp was able to beatbox through such a long song without passing out!! 🤯 #HomeFree
I've been waiting for you to do this one. I have to giggle when you mention how uou listened to this when you were kids; in 1970, I was married with 3 kids.😊 Don and I are the same age, and although I did my fair share of singing when I was young, his voice has survived the years better than mine. What an honor it must have been when HF found out Don wanted them to do this with him! I think somewhere in those old tv shows you'll see an American Bandstand clip.
Love this remake of this classic song. Can't believe it came out 50 years ago. Don McLean still has a good voice for his age. And love hearing all the guys take a turn in a verse. Poor Adam had to do such a long stretch of beatboxing but he nailed it. Think the song is about 8 min. long. Don McLean received his Hollywood Star on the Walk of Fame recently & Home Free was invited to sing a portion of this song there. What an honor for them. "American Pie" pays tribute to the loss of 3 legends who died so young (Buddy Holly, Richie Valens & The Big Bopper). A lot of references in the song are made to many artists from the early days of music including Elvis, Janis Joplin, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Byrds & others.
I was born in the 60s, listened to these glorious music during the 70s. James Taylor, Don McLean, Rita Coolidge, Heart.. It brought me back to my wonder years.. Thank you! The harmony is beautiful!
this was the song of my generation. Don released this on Oct 24th, 1971....I was in 6th grade at Everglades Elementary school here in my hometown of Miami, FL
This song is so deep with so much history in it - everything from the tragic plane crash to Kent State, Altamont & Janis Joplin. Truly a masterpiece. I think the age in Don McLean's voice only adds to the poignancy of the song. Of course the singing, harmonies & beatboxing are perfect - they always are. To blow Ogre's mind, watch Tim & Austin's duet of "My Maria" (on Austin's channel).
Great reaction, so glad yall enjoyed it! Can you imagine how the guys feel? They have gotten to sing with The Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Rogers, Alabama, Don McLean and more AND those singers asked Home Free to sing with them.
Chance has a storytelling voice, which has that subtle vibrato, but he is on pitch every time., and the tambour of his voice is like oh my goodness. I've sung in an a cappella group before, and I think that Chance is somebody who is just adaptable to different genres, and that's very rare. But the crazy thing is that they all have this pitch. If they're ever off pitch live, they 100% are adjusting their ear mikes. They know it instantly when it's off. Because if you're a singer, you just know immediately. I don't know them, by the way, so I'm not trying to hype them. Aside: AJ, I think you have it when you discuss Rob ---- Rob is the one who I feel like he's teaching everyone in the group. He almost never messes up, and he has a gigantic voice especially when you hear him live. He's like doubly impressive live. ASIDE: I'm from the MD eastern shore, btw, 43 years. We could totally relate. I love your channel.
Don't get me started on Tim's dance moves. He has always been fire for me. Please don't get me wrong, I've been married 20 plus years, and my hubs is my everything, but that doesn't mean I'm not still alive lol. I'll check every one of them out. Thank you. @@itzel1735
I remember this "American Pie" because so many of my fellow 7th grade classmates already knew the lyrics and sang along when I heard the song for the first time, while it played on our transistor radios that several of us had synched to the same AM radio station (either WMEX or WRKO, Boston) at recess. Somehow, it had slipped under my radar, and I was flabbergasted that I'd missed the arrival of something so obviously amazing.
You guys need to check out the documentary "THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED: THE STORY OF DON MCLEAN'S AMERICAN PIE". A wonderful film and well worth the watch. You'll also see Home Free quite a few times, including when Don received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Great reaction, guys! Keep'em coming
Austin is a high tenor, Rob is a tenor, Chance is baritone/bass, and of course Tim is bass but can sing tenor too. Adam Rupp is also a tenor when he sings.
You may have Don McLean mixed up with Don Henley who was the drummer and lead singer for the Eagles. But I could be wrong. Either way, Don still has it! Enjoyed your reactions. ❤
Lisa, this is Ogre. When I read your comment I thought to myself, "What the heck is she talking about?! Of course Don McLean had nothing to do with the eagles. Did I call Don McLean Don Henley by accident?". Then I listened to the video and saw my mistake. I have no idea why I said that at the time. I know they are two different people and that Don McLean was not in the Eagles. I feel pretty dumb right now.
I have dreamed multiple times that Home Free did a cover of Vincent/Starry, Starry Night and they sounded Amazing. In my dream Austin did lead for the most part.
Funny tidbit --- Mr. McLean hadn't re-cut this song since his original recording although many tried hard to convince him to ............... Till THIS!!!! So, what does that say, huh!?! : ) Be Safe
Chance sang bass with his prior group. I think they called themselves The Street Corner Voices. He's only a note or so short of Tim's lowest and can go up into the tenor range too, just not quite as high as Tim. to answer your curiosity about the picture shown during Tim's verse, It looks like the "police riot" at the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago. A huge anti-war group gathered in a park close by and Mayor richard "Pig" Daley basically gave his police force and the National Guard carte blanche to clear them out before they could start any trouble.
Don Mclain did not sing with the Eagles, Don Henly does. Don Mc. is the original writer and performer of this song. Don ask Home Free to help him do a 50 year remake of his song .
The plane crash that the song is about happened in 1959 hence the 19 50's pictures. The dancers you talked about are dressed in the teenage fashions from the 50's too.
Don McLean isn't from the Eagles, he is the original singer of this song. The Eagles has Don Henley and also had a Don Felder. And those are shadow boxes.
Ogre made that reaction virtually unwatchable...His pauses should have been between verses and his pre-occupation with the background was seriously rude to the talent on the screen!!
I agree. I don't mind pausing, of course, because it's a reaction video. But it was a litte too much, imo. If they are doing it because of copyright, Home Free has been independent for 4 years. So anything from their Dive Bar Saints album and after, they will not get a copyright strike on. I'm not sure if this song applies or not because Don is in it. But I have seen alot of people react to it, so it doesn't seem like there's a problem with copyright.
Maybe we need someone else to be in charge of the controls, guys......this constant pausing for absolutely no reason is very annoying......i recommend AJ.....LOL
So cool that McLean asked Home Free to help him celebrate the 50th anniversary of this song. They honored this classic. And McLean also asked them to sing the chorus at the ceremony when he was presented with his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
And Weird Al MC'd it because of his parody of American Pie called, “The Saga Begins”. There is a full YT video I saw once but have never been able to find it again, it's on here somewhere. :)
At the time of Don's Star, Home Free is recorded as being the only musical guest/act to ever preform on a Walk of Fame ceremony. Which is kinda cool.
@@hayley_council I never thought about that, that is very cool of our guys!!
Similarly Kenny Rogers said in the talk after their collaboration with him on "Children Go Where I Send Thee" that his son's teachers told him about HF, he looked them up & got them them to sing it with him.
You guys seriously NEED to jam out with their cover of the Doobie Brothers' "Listen to the Music"!! OMG, they all killed it, individually and altogether, but Adam Rupp absolutely cut loose on it!! 😳🤯 He not only took over the TWO drumkits used by the Doobies, but he added in a few new sound effects AND it's him singing the ethereal high notes that resemble a synth throughout the song!! 🎶❤ If that one doesn't get you moving in your seats, nothing will! 😉 It brings back great memories for me. Hopefully it will for y'all, too.
Definitely gotta do this!!!!
Absolutely. One of my favorites. Really shows off Adam's abilities.
Don McLean was a solo artist who was the original writer/singer on this monster hit about the deaths of Buddy Holly, Richie Vallens and the Big Bopper.. Don reached out to Home Free to do a 50th anniversary tribute release of the song. This was done during quarantine and the parts was recorded separately and edited together. This is such a long song that Adam Rupp was very lightheaded by the end of the song. Nice reaction , you guys have a blessed day
Don was 75 yrs old when it released this amazing version with Home Free I think he still sounds great.
They did this for the 50th anniversary of the release of this song and won 3 Telly awards for it.
Don wrote this song in 1971 about the tragic plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and Big Bobber in 1959 and other stuff that was happening in the 1960’s
They all do they're thang!!! ❤
About time you guys hit “Mayday” from Home Free.
On the list
This was during Covid so I thought the boxes were clever. Reminded me of shadow boxes you put your memories in. Don sounded great for 75! When Don got the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame he asked Home Free to come and celebrate with him. How cool is that?! Everyone sounded great.
Very cool!!!
Don is 78 years old. Don's manager approached Home Free to do this on the 50th Anniversary of the song. They won several telly awards for this video (all of them), and Don finally got his star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame and invited Home Free to be there to sing a snippet of his song acapella. Pretty cool!
The videos off to the side are Don's personal home movies. I love this arrangement and how it gave everyone a solo but showcased Don and gave him the proper respect. Great video.
This video is so awesome that it won a Telky award. Their video team is so creative, especially during lockdown.
FIRE! Adam was killing it. He had to be out of breath
I believe that Don McClean was 75yo in this video. He did great! I love that each of the guys sang a verse, like they are each paying tribute to Don himself. Great reaction!
Binged on yall this am. Love you guys. The Pie video was done during covid. Again they all worked from home and the producer put them into the picture frame. Great editing along with the 1960s videos.
What an honor it must be to be able to sing with Don McLean and the result is so great. With a Home Free twist but still respecting the original. The harmony is amazing again. And what a great voice Don McLean still has. My childhood memory of this song is that I always had to sing along. And now I do that again.
That he still has it is absolutely amazing?
Absolutely loved this! Well worth the wait! So glad you guys enjoyed this one! Especially Jersey, bouncing away to the music. =P Oh and Ogre, if you think Tim's "high stuff" makes you question your life choices now, just wait till you dive into his solo work. ;) Great reaction guys! Keep up the awesomeness!
The videography is virtually beyond grasping the complexity! The vignettes and moving around here to there and the memories brought back plus Don's vocals! Truly a masterpiece in every way!!!
Such a creative way to continue to put out videos--in spite of quarantine! 🥰
And goodness--one wonders how the amazing Adam Rupp was able to beatbox through such a long song without passing out!! 🤯
#HomeFree
I've been waiting for you to do this one. I have to giggle when you mention how uou listened to this when you were kids; in 1970, I was married with 3 kids.😊 Don and I are the same age, and although I did my fair share of singing when I was young, his voice has survived the years better than mine. What an honor it must have been when HF found out Don wanted them to do this with him! I think somewhere in those old tv shows you'll see an American Bandstand clip.
You're thinking of the wrong Don. McLean was always solo. Thanks for your review!
Yeah, I think he was thinking of Don Henley.
Ogre had a senior moment
@@weaintraisedrightpodcast 🤣😂🤣😂 I can relate!
Love this remake of this classic song. Can't believe it came out 50 years ago. Don McLean still has a good voice for his age. And love hearing all the guys take a turn in a verse. Poor Adam had to do such a long stretch of beatboxing but he nailed it. Think the song is about 8 min. long. Don McLean received his Hollywood Star on the Walk of Fame recently & Home Free was invited to sing a portion of this song there. What an honor for them.
"American Pie" pays tribute to the loss of 3 legends who died so young (Buddy Holly, Richie Valens & The Big Bopper). A lot of references in the song are made to many artists from the early days of music including Elvis, Janis Joplin, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Byrds & others.
I was born in the 60s, listened to these glorious music during the 70s. James Taylor, Don McLean, Rita Coolidge, Heart.. It brought me back to my wonder years.. Thank you! The harmony is beautiful!
this was the song of my generation. Don released this on Oct 24th, 1971....I was in 6th grade at Everglades Elementary school here in my hometown of Miami, FL
This song is so deep with so much history in it - everything from the tragic plane crash to Kent State, Altamont & Janis Joplin. Truly a masterpiece. I think the age in Don McLean's voice only adds to the poignancy of the song. Of course the singing, harmonies & beatboxing are perfect - they always are. To blow Ogre's mind, watch Tim & Austin's duet of "My Maria" (on Austin's channel).
Apparently the home movies & photos (and the shadow box theme) were all chosen by Don McLean.
Those birds were Carolina Parakeets. They were declared extinct in 1939. Lots of meaning in all those clips.
Great reaction, so glad yall enjoyed it! Can you imagine how the guys feel? They have gotten to sing with The Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Rogers, Alabama, Don McLean and more AND those singers asked Home Free to sing with them.
Just incredible!
Lol... Those dances were called Sock Hops.
Yup. The dance floors were gyms so we couldn't wear street shoes and leave scuff marks all over the floor.
Don Mc Lean made this song about two singers who died in a plane crash. It was great that Home Free did it with him.
This was so very awesome! Don asked them to do this with him for the 50th anniversary of this song. Love your reactions!
Thank you!
Lotsa nostalgic clips from the era !
They are Don's personal home videos from when he was a kid.
like I said. Nostalgic means video clips from that era.@@Indigo_moon
I think the backgrounds were chosen to represent the time-frame of what the song was about
Chance has a storytelling voice, which has that subtle vibrato, but he is on pitch every time., and the tambour of his voice is like oh my goodness. I've sung in an a cappella group before, and I think that Chance is somebody who is just adaptable to different genres, and that's very rare. But the crazy thing is that they all have this pitch. If they're ever off pitch live, they 100% are adjusting their ear mikes. They know it instantly when it's off. Because if you're a singer, you just know immediately. I don't know them, by the way, so I'm not trying to hype them. Aside: AJ, I think you have it when you discuss Rob ---- Rob is the one who I feel like he's teaching everyone in the group. He almost never messes up, and he has a gigantic voice especially when you hear him live. He's like doubly impressive live. ASIDE: I'm from the MD eastern shore, btw, 43 years. We could totally relate. I love your channel.
Dani: Have you seen any of the audience cams from Wednesday’s concert in Berlin? Good recordings. The guys sounded good. Tim was even dancing.
Don't get me started on Tim's dance moves. He has always been fire for me. Please don't get me wrong, I've been married 20 plus years, and my hubs is my everything, but that doesn't mean I'm not still alive lol. I'll check every one of them out. Thank you. @@itzel1735
Adam Rupp nearly passed out by the end of the song. 😂😂😂
I remember this "American Pie" because so many of my fellow 7th grade classmates already knew the lyrics and sang along when I heard the song for the first time, while it played on our transistor radios that several of us had synched to the same AM radio station (either WMEX or WRKO, Boston) at recess. Somehow, it had slipped under my radar, and I was flabbergasted that I'd missed the arrival of something so obviously amazing.
Awesome video.
Don Henley was in the Eagles lol 😘
Yep. Ogre had a senior moment
Done during quarantine, had oxygen for Adam Rupp.
Hi folks! The black and white flick reminds me of American Bandstand.
it was the anneversrie of the song and the guys were invited to sing with him
You guys need to check out the documentary "THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED: THE STORY OF DON MCLEAN'S AMERICAN PIE". A wonderful film and well worth the watch. You'll also see Home Free quite a few times, including when Don received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Great reaction, guys! Keep'em coming
Is it on a streaming service?
This was during COVID hence the separation, if you watch their original Quarantine, you'll see shelves like that in Adam Rupp house
Thanks guys! You're always intertaining, almost as much as Home Free. 😊
Thank you!
They all sound great ❤
Loved your reaction!
A great re-creation of an American classic.
Austin is a high tenor, Rob is a tenor, Chance is baritone/bass, and of course Tim is bass but can sing tenor too. Adam Rupp is also a tenor when he sings.
This is another quarantine goody, though towards end. Austin, Tim and Don together, Rob and Adam in Mn and Chance from Ca.
Don reached out to Home Free to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of this song.
I think the frame with the dancing at the beginning was like the Dick Clark American Bandstand of old.
That makes a lot of sense!
My favorite Tim solo is "Let's Get It On" in the "Thinking Out Loud" / "Let's Get It ON" video
Don McClean is a solo artist, an icon. He wrote American Pie in 1971. Other hits were Vincent, Starry, Starry Nights...
Ogre had a senior moment
You may have Don McLean mixed up with Don Henley who was the drummer and lead singer for the Eagles. But I could be wrong. Either way, Don still has it! Enjoyed your reactions. ❤
Ogre had a senior moment
I remember when this original came out. I was about 9/10 at the time. Everyone knew the words even if we didn't understand the lyrics.
Hey Guys! I'm seeing this a bit late but, did you figure out this is not Don Henley of the Eagles, it is The Don Mclean
Lisa, this is Ogre. When I read your comment I thought to myself, "What the heck is she talking about?! Of course Don McLean had nothing to do with the eagles. Did I call Don McLean Don Henley by accident?". Then I listened to the video and saw my mistake. I have no idea why I said that at the time. I know they are two different people and that Don McLean was not in the Eagles. I feel pretty dumb right now.
Review Children Go Where I Send Thee that Home Free did with Kenny Rogers. Fantastic collaboration.
It's now on the list! Thank you!
I have dreamed multiple times that Home Free did a cover of Vincent/Starry, Starry Night and they sounded Amazing. In my dream Austin did lead for the most part.
Chance is a baritone, Rob a tenor Austin a high tenor.
Funny tidbit --- Mr. McLean hadn't re-cut this song since his original recording although many tried hard to convince him to ............... Till THIS!!!! So, what does that say, huh!?! : ) Be Safe
How have you not listened to their version of "9 to 5" - remember the old Dolly Parton song?
Definitely remember that song. It is on our list!
Don McLean and Home Free just collaborated on McLean's other classic, "Vincent". Please react--I think you will be touched by this one.
Chance sang bass with his prior group. I think they called themselves The Street Corner Voices. He's only a note or so short of Tim's lowest and can go up into the tenor range too, just not quite as high as Tim. to answer your curiosity about the picture shown during Tim's verse, It looks like the "police riot" at the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago. A huge anti-war group gathered in a park close by and Mayor richard "Pig" Daley basically gave his police force and the National Guard carte blanche to clear them out before they could start any trouble.
SCS = Street Corner Symphony. Chance is wearing his SCS shirt in his 1st song with HF, Shakira's song 'Try Everything'.
Don Mclain did not sing with the Eagles, Don Henly does. Don Mc. is the original writer and performer of this song. Don ask Home Free to help him do a 50 year remake of his song .
Ogre had a senior moment
The plane crash that the song is about happened in 1959 hence the 19 50's pictures. The dancers you talked about are dressed in the teenage fashions from the 50's too.
They are Don's personal home videos from childhood.
You guys should do jolly sailor bold by the bass gang
It's on our list
Don Henley was with the Eagles.
Yep. Ogre had a senior moment
Don't feel too bad. I am probably older than you, and I have senior moments all the time 😂
Don Henley was lead singer of The Eagles. Don McLean is just effing DON MCLEAN. Singer song writer anthem writer of a generation.
Yep. Ogre got his Dons mixed up.
Just FYI. Don Henley played in The Eagles. Don McLean wasn’t in a band.
Yep. Ogre had a senior moment
This was done during the pandemic lockdown.
You were thinking of don henly from the eagles
Rob also best boxes
Don McLean isn't from the Eagles, he is the original singer of this song. The Eagles has Don Henley and also had a Don Felder. And those are shadow boxes.
Yep. Ogre was having a senior moment
Ogre, you forgot to tell us if your stepbrother was ever able to walk again. 😳
He did! He had a full recovery! I'm sure he still feels it when a storm is coming but he did recover!
@@weaintraisedrightpodcast Oh, thank you, that's a relief. :) Best wishes to you all, and thanks for this great reaction.
Ogre - it's okay to have confused the "Dons". You four guys (and the five from Home Free) were not born when this song came out.
Just a senior moment. I knew better.
Don Henley .....Eagles.....
Yep. Ogre had a senior moment.
Try Skull and Bones
Its on our list! thank you!
React to When a Man Loves a Woman
I hate to correct you, Ogre. Don McLean was not with the Eagles, you were thinking of Don Henley.
Ogre made that reaction virtually unwatchable...His pauses should have been between verses and his pre-occupation with the background was seriously rude to the talent on the screen!!
Thanks for the view!
way too much pausing.
Thanks for the view!
I agree. I don't mind pausing, of course, because it's a reaction video. But it was a litte too much, imo. If they are doing it because of copyright, Home Free has been independent for 4 years. So anything from their Dive Bar Saints album and after, they will not get a copyright strike on. I'm not sure if this song applies or not because Don is in it. But I have seen alot of people react to it, so it doesn't seem like there's a problem with copyright.
Maybe we need someone else to be in charge of the controls, guys......this constant pausing for absolutely no reason is very annoying......i recommend AJ.....LOL
Thanks for the view!