'American Pie' singer delays tour to reconcile with wife

Don McLean, the singer of classic pop song "American Pie," is delaying a tour of Australia as he tries to reconcile with his wife following domestic violence allegations.

The 70-year-old folk rocker said Friday he would postpone the 11 shows, which were scheduled to begin on March 14 in Hobart, Tasmania, until the same dates in 2017.

The delay is meant "to allow Don McLean and his family time to work at reuniting," a statement from his management said.

"This is an unprecedented moment in the family history." McLean was arrested last month at his home in the northeastern US state of Maine after his wife, Patrisha, called police amid a heated dispute.

The singer later said that he and his wife had agreed to dismiss a protection order and that the incident did not rise to the level of criminal charges.

"American Pie," released in 1971, has often been ranked among the greatest songs in pop history with its account of the historical upheavals of the late 20th century.

The song recalls forlornly "The Day the Music Died" - the 1959 plane crash in Iowa that killed rockers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and "The Big Bopper" J.P. Richardson.