We all love Glen Campbell, one of the most popular Country Music icons. We know him for his hit songs like “By the Time I get to Phoenix,” “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Wichita Lineman.” CNN confirmed the tragic news that Glen Campbell had passed on at the age of 81 after a long battle with Alzheimer's.
The tragic news was announced by his record stable
A Universal Music Group representative revealed the news in a press release that Glen Travis Campbell, a husband, father, grandfather and iconic singer had passed away at 81, after a long and courageous fight with Alzheimer’s disease.
He will be remembered for his sweet voice and adorable guitar playing skill. He rose from humble begins as a sharecropper’s son and became a recording and television star in the 1960s and an active campaigner against alcohol and drugs. He performed for last time while in the early stages of the disease that claimed his life on Tuesday 8th.
His music was beautiful
Campbell was unique in the music business. He played original lines with a beautiful tenor, while he coaxed beautiful crystal clear sound from his guitar. His condition was a public concern, and he allowed the recording of a documentary film for his 2014 award winning final tour “I’ll Be Me.” The retired president Bill Clinton suggested the documentary would make Campbell remembered for more than his music.
Mr. Campbell revealed his condition to the world in June 2011, six months after he discovered that he had Alzheimer's and announced that he would begin his farewell tour later in the year to support his “Ghost on the Canvas” album. Kimberly Campbell, his wife, told People Magazine "they wanted their fans to be aware of his condition if he was disoriented on the stage."
A five-week tour turned into 151 shows in 15 months.
His last performance was in Napa, California on November 2012 and was moved to long-term care and treatment center before the spring of 2014. He released the last studio album, “Adios,” in June this year. The album featured Vince Gill and Willie Nelson as well as his three sons and was recorded shortly after his farewell tour.
Glen Campbell's history
Campbell was born in 1936 as the seventh son in a family of 12 kids, in Billstown, Arkansas. In his youth, he discovered his talent as a guitarist and was obsessed with Django Reinhardt, a jazz guitarist. After he had turned 14, he dropped out of school and moved with his uncle to Wyoming. They played gigs together in rural joints before moving to Los Angeles. He joined the Wrecking Crew and had successful music career until his demise.
Glen Campbell leaves behind his wife Kimberly Wollen Campbell and eight children.