Singer and songwriter Don McLean, who was born and raised in New Rochelle and is an Iona Prep grad, was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Monday.

Joined by guests such as "Weird Al" Yankovic and the singing group Homefree, who sang his iconic song "American Pie" at the celebration, McLean said he was honored by the recognition.

"I was born and raised in New Rochelle in New York back in 1945, and I sang pretty much from the day I was born. I fell in love with the record player and then later on in the early 50s, the television…and so once I discovered the guitar, I saw Elvis Presley on the front of a TV guide and I said, 'Man, if I could just learn to play that, you know, I can sing, you know, maybe I could make a few bucks.”

McLean's recording of "American Pie" was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant." It's considered one of the most important American songs of the 20th century.