The country music world lost a legend. Glen Campbell passed away Tuesday morning (August 8, 2017) at the age of 81 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. People often refer to Glen Campbell as the “musician’s musician.” According to Dolly Pardon, Glen Campbell was a talented session musician. She said that he could play any instrument he picked up and he could play it well. Dolly said, “That is why is was so special.”
Campbell leaves behind a remarkable career. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, he scored several hits songs, and won four Grammy Awards. In fact, 80 of songs landed on the Billboard Country Charts. He has sold 45 million records. Glen Campbell hosted his own successful television show called, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. The Country Music Hall of Famer was once invited to become a member of the Beach Boy but he turned down the offer.
Glen Campbell was born in a small town in Arkansas. He uncle taught his guitar. When Glen Campbell was old enough, he moved to New Mexico to play in his uncle’s band. Eventually he formed his own group called the Western Wranglers. In 1960, he moved to California to start working as a session musician and soon was working at a publishing company.