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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDon McLean Loses Lifetime Achievement Award Over Domestic Violence Guilty Plea
Don McLean will no longer receive a lifetime achievement award from a UCLA student group after it learned that the singer-songwriter had pleaded guilty to domestic violence charges in 2016, the Portland Press Herald reports.
Last Friday, the Student Alumni Association of UCLA announced they were presenting McLean with the George and Ira Gershwin Award for Lifetime Musical Achievement, while a publicist working for McLean released a statement about the award on Monday. Several hours later, however, the Press Herald reportedly contacted the Student Alumni Association to ask about the award being given to McLean, prompting a spokesperson to reply that the award was now being taken back.
The decision to rescind the award was made by SAAs Spring Sing Executive Committee upon learning that Mr. McLean had previously been convicted of domestic violence charges, said Tod M. Tamberg, senior executive director of UCLA Strategic Communications Media Relations, in a statement. SAA rejects any behavior including violence and the threat of violence in all its forms that does not uphold the True Bruin Values. We extend our support to survivors of domestic violence.
McLean was arrested at his home in Camden, Maine in July 2016 and charged with misdemeanor domestic violence. He ultimately pleaded guilty to avoid jail time, though he did pay a $3,000 fine as part of the agreement. Not long after, McLeans now ex-wife, Patrisha McLean, was granted a temporary order of protection against McLean and accused her husband of having a violent temper and physically and verbally abusing her for over three decades.
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/don-mclean-loses-lifetime-achievement-award-domestic-violence-guilty-plea-832330/
cbdo2007
(9,213 posts)for violence, drug abuse, harrassment, and anything else someone deems in poor taste, we're not going to have anyone left to worship lol.
wryter2000
(46,032 posts)Maybe I'm being a bit too literal today.
cbdo2007
(9,213 posts)many of the rock stars we worship are terrible human beings that have inflicted emotional and physical abuse on people throughout their careers. It was only in the past decade or so that people really started speaking out, but read back through some biographies of the biggest stars of the 60s and they are full of stories of violence, drug abuse, cheating, theft, etc.
It's just interesting that Don McLean is the person they choose to make an example out of, of that whole group of classic rock stars.
OnDoutside
(19,952 posts)mainstreetonce
(4,178 posts)Bye Bye Miss American Pie
What an experience!
marble falls
(57,067 posts)and unusual treatment.
She has my complete and total sympathy: any sort of abuse is criminal and needs punishment.
wryter2000
(46,032 posts)I did love "Starry, Starry, Sky," though.
marble falls
(57,067 posts)Freethinker65
(10,009 posts)wryter2000
(46,032 posts)Maybe he'll create an award for Wife Beating.