Don McLean, the singer-songwriter who penned the 1971 hit "American Pie," was arrested at his home in Camden, Maine on Jan. 18 for domestic assault.
The arrest came after police responded to a 911 call in the early morning hours. Their investigation led to the filing of a domestic violence assault charge -- a misdemeanor -- against the 70-year-old musician.
Police Chief Randy Gagne told local paper The Camden Herald that McLean was arrested without incident and there were no injuries at the scene that required medical attention. The singer was brought to Knox County Jail. He left after posting bail. He'll now face the charges on Feb. 22, when he's scheduled to appear in Knox County District Court.
Any other details surrounding the case, including other involved parties and the circumstances that led to the domestic violence charge, remain a mystery.
McLean is best known for "American Pie," which is said to be inspired by the tragic 1959 plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson. That event, which is often referred to as "the day the music died," earned the moniker from McLean's song.
"American Pie" claimed the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Hot 100 for multiple weeks in early 1972 and continues to be McLean's best-known work. It made headlines as recently as last year, when the original, hand-written lyrics to the song sold at auction for $1.2 million. McLean, who has long resisted explaining the meanings behind his work, promised that the manuscript would "divulge everything there is to divulge" about the song.
McLean's been quiet in recent years, with Addicted to Black, his latest studio album, having been released in 2009.