Before Don McLean’s concert at Bridgewater Hall on Friday, he went out in Manchester with his girlfriend, Paris Dylan.
Hours before Don was scheduled to perform on stage as part of his 50th Anniversary of American Pie Tour, the American Pie singer, 76, and his model girlfriend, 28, visited the city in a laid-back manner.
Don remained warm in an October rain jacket while cutting a relaxed figure in grey pants and a blue collared shirt.
He protected his eyes with a pair of square reflective sunglasses and stayed comfy with a pair of grey slip-on shoes.
Paris, 48 years younger than him, wore stylish, black-fitting leggings, a burgundy vest top, a grey hoodie, and a sleeveless denim jacket.
She packed her things in an Urban Outfitters tote bag and finished her chic look with a pair of white sneakers.
Paris highlighted her remarkable features with a dazzling full-coverage makeup palette, a dab of pink lipstick, and a swipe of eyeliner.
She wore a pair of black square sunglasses and arranged her dark hair loosely in natural curls.
Since their separation from his ex-wife Patrisha Shnier in 2016, the couple has been dating for about five years.
After Don was arrested on domestic violence charges, she wrote in court documents that they had “irreconcilable disputes” and accused him of infidelity and cruel and abusive behavior.
Last year, Don told the media that Paris is the “most amazing person” he has ever met.”Love is the most important thing you can have. You have to love somebody. Hate is such a burden. It’s a complete waste of time. I love my children, and I love my girlfriend. I’m crazy for her.’
‘She is the most wonderful person that I have ever known. I think of her when I sing a lot of my songs,’ he said, adding to his song And I Loved You So from his 1970 debut album Tapestry: ‘But I especially think of her when I sing that song.’
He added: ‘I’m honored to have her as a girlfriend and a partner and we have no plans to ever break up. We will stay together and ride this pony as long as we can.’
He explained that love has helped him through the hard times, adding: ‘You have to be in love with something. When I have had bad times in my life, I always loved my guitar. And now, I have Paris.’
In 2016, she uploaded a picture from their Thanksgiving and captioned it, “I’m thankful for him.” This marked the beginning of their Instagram relationship. From Don and I, Happy Thanksgiving.
She rose to fame when a 2017 Catfish episode detailed a 2011 event in which she started dating and sent nude images to NBA player Chris ‘Birdman’ Andersen, 33, when she was just 17 years old.
In reality, though, they weren’t speaking to one another; instead, a Canadian lady by the name of Shelly Chartier was attempting to extort money from Andersen.
From 1987 through 2016, Don was married to Patrisha Shnier, now 63, and they had two children together: Wyatt and Jackie.
Two months after his arrest for domestic abuse, Patrisha filed for divorce, alleging “adultery, harsh and violent behavior, and irreconcilable differences.”
Don admitted to assaulting a victim of domestic abuse in July 2016. At the time, his attorneys said that if he avoided problems for a year, he would only be subject to a $3,000 fine.
At the time, Don said he hadn’t been violent despite the plea deal, according to Walter McKee, the attorney for Don.
‘Don has been adamant since day one that he did not do what his now ex-wife said he did,’ McKee said.
But in the end, he determined that it was preferable to simply conclude the matter at this time and move on by submitting pleas with no jail time, no probation, and merely fines.