American Pie singer admits wife assault

Don McLean has pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife of 30 years and his lawyer says he'll be fined $US3000 if he stays out of trouble for a year.

Booking photo provided by the Knox County Jail shows Don McLean. "American Pie" singer McLean admitted to domestic violence assault against his estranged wife. Source: AP

American Pie singer Don McLean has admitted domestic violence assault against his estranged wife, and will avoid jail time.

The singer-songwriter pleaded guilty in a Maine court on Thursday to the charge and related counts.

His lawyer says the punishment will be a $US3000 ($A4000) fine if he stays out of trouble for a year.

McLean, of Camden, Maine, was arrested in January and initially pleaded not guilty.

A lawyer for Patrisha McLean said in March that his client was filing for divorce and that the legal papers cited "adultery, cruel and abusive treatment, and irreconcilable differences".

Don McLean rides a float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York in 2012. Source: AAP

The two had been married 30 years.

Don McLean's divorce lawyer denied those characterisations on McLean's behalf at the time.

McLean's original manuscript and notes to American Pie sold at auction for $US1.2 million last year.

* National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero.