Alex Trebek crossed this bucket list item off before he died

Alex Trebek is pictured with singer-songwriter Don McLean at the “Jeopardy!” staff Christmas party in 2019. | Provided by 2911 Media

A year ago, the beloved “Jeopardy!” host reached out to Don McLean — the singer-songwriter behind hits like “American Pie” and “Vincent” — and asked if he would perform at his annual “Jeopardy!” staff Christmas party.

Alex Trebek crossed a big item off his bucket list before he died.

A year ago, the beloved “Jeopardy!” host reached out to Don McLean — the singer-songwriter behind hits like “American Pie” and “Vincent” — and asked if he would perform at his annual “Jeopardy!” staff Christmas party.

“Is this even remotely possible. its been a longtime dream of mine,” Trebek wrote in a Nov. 6, 2019, email McLean shared in a news release sent to the Deseret News. “Not sure i even have the budget but didn’t want to not give it a try. Please give me a call. thanks Alex Trebek”

Alex asked if I would come and sing for him & his Jeopardy family at his annual Christmas party last year. I was on his “bucket list” he told me.
It was at a lovely Italian restaurant near his home. pic.twitter.com/gC6rkKyXFw

— Don McLean (@donmclean) November 8, 2020

McLean didn’t hesitate. On Dec. 18, he showed up to the Italian restaurant Vitello’s in Studio City, California, and performed a setlist that Trebek personally crafted. At this time, the “Jeopardy!” host was several months into treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer.

“When I arrived at the restaurant, I told Alex what I was planning on performing and without hesitation, Alex pulled out a sheet of paper that he hand wrote my songs on with their lengths, in which, he wanted me to stick to,” McLean said in a statement. “I, of course, obliged and told him it was his show and I would do whatever he wanted me to.

“It was a joyous and sad occasion and I was very touched that my music was that important to him,” McLean continued. “There was not the slightest hint of self-pity or weakness in this man. He was elegant and dignified as you saw him on television.”

Provided by 2911 Media

A picture of the setlist Alex Trebek crafted for singer-songwriter Don McLean.

That would end up being Trebek’s last staff Christmas party. The longtime host died on Nov. 8 at age 80, surrounded by family and friends.

McLean said he thought of Trebek often after that special Christmas gathering, and called Trebek a person “we all can learn from.”

“I’ll think of him in the future,” he said. “And maybe try to be a little more like him.”

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/38oTI80