The "American Pie" singer played Trebek's 2019 Christmas party.
"American Pie" singer Don McLean issued an emotional remembrance of Jeopardy host Alex Trebek over the weekend, recalling how the veteran game show titan personally requested the songwriter's presence at his 2019 Christmas party.
“Alex asked if I would come and sing for him and his Jeopardy! family at his annual Christmas party last year," said McLean in a statement. "I was on his 'bucket' list he told me."
The gig took place at the Italian restaurant Vitellos near Trebek's home, with the host apologizing for his rosy complexion, blaming it on the medication he was on to treat the pancreatic cancer that took his life on Sunday at the age of 80. McLean said the holiday party was a "joyous and sad occasion," noting how touched he was that his music was so important to Trebek, who helmed the popular syndicated game show for three decades with his signature dry humor and a mischievous glint in his eye.