It was announced on Tuesday, August 8 that Glen Campbell has died at the age of 81. His family posted an emotional statement on the singer's website. The legendary singer and guitarist died following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. The family requested that donations could be made to the Glen Campbell Memorial Fund at BrightFocus Foundation.

Campbell's publicist confirmed that the country singer died in Nashville, Tennessee after being diagnosed with the disease six years ago when he was 75 even though he began losing his memory before the Alzheimer's diagnosis.

Campbell's career

Campbell retired from his music career in 2011; the same year doctors confirmed the Alzheimer's disease. He spent his last years in an assisted living facility where his family and friends would often visit and play his old songs and sing to him hoping he would remember the songs he had written and sung.

During his career, he sold more than 45 million records, released 12 gold albums and had 75 hits on the charts. His most remembered songs are "Rhinestone Cowboy," “Wichita Lineman," and "Southern Nights."

While Campbell was mostly remembered for his singing and making music with his guitar, he also had an acting career. For instance, he co-starred with John Wayne in the classic 1969 movie "True Grit."

Reactions to the death

Bruce Springsteen said Campbell had a beautiful singing voice.

He added that his tone was pure and simple on the surface with a world of emotion underneath. Hundreds of Celebrities, politicians, friends, and musicians reacted with tributes and condolences on social media.

Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, Campbell's native state, tweeted that the singer and guitarist was one of the great entertainers and musicians of our time who was also a great Arkansan and American.

U.S. Senator John McCain paid tribute to a fellow Arizonan because Campbell lived in Phoenix for about 20 years and wrote a song about that city, "By the Time I Get to Phoenix."

Fellow singers who posted tributes include Dolly Parton, Carole King, Blake Shelton, Sheryl Crow, and Kathie Lee Gifford. Most of the tributes contain the same theme that Campbell was a legendary singer and entertainer.

Glen Campbell was married four times. He is survived by his last wife of 35 years, Kim Woolen, and his eight children including Ashley, Debbie, Cal, Kelli, Shannon, Kane, Dylan, and Travis.
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