Glen Campbell (1936-2017) passed away today after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He was 81 years old. He was diagnosed with the disease in 2011. Sadly, it seems like the blog is turning into a obituary column these days, but Glen could not go unmentioned here. I saw an interview with Glen a couple of years back. At the time, he couldn’t remember the name of the disease that had him in its grip, but he could still sing, and he could still play guitar. Amazing guitarist. Casual fans often don’t realize just what an accomplished player he was. Sad day. R.I.P. Glen.
Glen released several farewell albums since his diagnosis. These include Ghost On The Canvas (2011), See You There (2013), and released just this year (though much of it recorded in earlier sessions I believe) Adiós (2017).
Here are a few of my favorites from Glen:
“Ghost on the Canvas” (2011)
“Rhinestone Cowboy” (2013) — a more somber version from See You There
“Adiós” (2017)
“Let It Be Me” (1968) — duet with Bobbie Gentry
“Southern Nights” (1977)
I apologize to anyone who can truly say that he has found a better way.
A live take of “Wichita Lineman,” recorded in 1988, with an introduction, and piano, by Jimmy Webb.
I love this clip. Some major country music talent watches in awe as Glen plays his guitar and sings his classic “Gentle On My Mind.”
More:
A story from Guitar Player (Christopher Scapelliti) around the time of Glen’s 69th birthday. There are a couple of clips that show off Glen’s guitar abilities: “Ghost Riders in the Sky” and “William Tell Overture.”
Obituary and career retrospective from Rolling Stone (Patrick Doyle).
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