Tuesday, January 19, 2016
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The picturesque town of Camden was reeling today from the arrest of "American Pie" singer Don McLean, a fixture in the community.
Police arrested McLean on a misdemeanor domestic-violence charge on Monday, and he later posted $10,000 bail and was released from jail. Police and court officials didn't say much about the arrest today other than McLean will be in court to respond to it next month.
Select Board member Leonard Lookner, a retired former restaurant owner, said "the entire town was shocked" by McLean's arrest.
McLean is well known in the Midcoast town of about 5,000 residents for holding charity concerts to raise money for education, Lookner said. He said McLean's wife, photographer Patrisha McLean, is known for opening her beloved rose garden to local residents.
"They are both really special people," Lookner said. "I must say I was absolutely shocked. We all were. He's done wonderful things for the community."
A spokesman for Don McLean didn't immediately return a call seeking comment. The 70-year-old singer-songwriter and his wife live in a home overlooking Mount Megunticook in Camden, which is about 80 miles up the Maine coast from Portland and is popular with tourists and yachting enthusiasts.