Besides having to listen to the endless radio play time of American Pie as a kid, never really listened to much of Don McLean so can't really comment on him.
I listen to a lot of Steve Miller Band because it has a nice rhythm and a somewhat unique sound. Easy listening, driving music, if that makes any sense.
The music is immediately recognizable but if you listen to the less "popular" songs, decent variety (rock and roll, country/blues, even early psychedelic though I haven't really explored it).
As to some comments:
Don't listen to the radio now but it does surprise me that it would see a lot of playtime.
As far as Steve Miller's guitar; funny but I guess I never even thought about him as a guitar player until mentioned here??? Thought about him more as a songwriter, kind of like someone might consider a folk songwriter's guitar playing. They play guitar but you don't really focus on the technical aspect of their playing, just the rhythm. Interesting takes by all here. This is what makes music interesting for me.