Glen Campbell Has Died At 81

Glen Campbell -- Photo Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

ALL ACCESS is saddened to report the passing of legendary Country artist GLEN CAMPBELL this afternoon (8/8), following a long fight against Alzheimer's disease. CAMPBELL was 81.

BIG MACHINE LABEL GROUP Pres./CEO SCOTT BORCHETTA released the following statement: "Everyone at the BIG MACHINE LABEL GROUP is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend GLEN CAMPBELL. GLEN was a superstar of the highest order and a multi-threat talent as a singer, entertainer, world-class guitar virtuoso, actor and, of course, a great family man.  

"GLEN and his family so bravely chose to publicly share their fight with Alzheimer’s through the JAMES KEACH-produced I'LL BE ME documentary which helped engage millions of people who face the realities of this terrible disease. We were honored to release his final recordings on the GRAMMY-winning and OSCAR-nominated I'LL BE ME soundtrack, produced by our very own JULIAN RAYMOND. Even in his final act, GLEN's star touched so many." 

CAMPBELL began his professional career in music as a member of the famed WRECKING CREW, a group of outstanding studio musicians in LOS ANGELES playing on recordings by BOBBY DARIN, RICKY NELSON, DEAN MARTIN, FRANK SINATRA, JAN AND DEAN, ELVIS PRESLEY, NAT KING COLE, THE MONKEES, NANCY SINATRA, and PHIL SPECTOR, while also performing for a group called THE CHAMPS. CAMPBELL also played on the BEACH BOYS' "Pet Sounds" album and was a touring member of the band.

During a half-century as a performer, the small-town ARKANSAS son of a sharecropper – the seventh son of 12 children – released more than 70 albums; sold 45 million records; and accumulated 12 RIAA Gold albums, four Platinum, and one double-Platinum, placing a total of 80 different songs on either the BILLBOARD Country, Top 40, or Adult Contemporary charts, nine of them at #1. An expert interpreter of material, his hits included versions of JOHN HARTFORD’s “Gentle On My Mind;” JIMMY WEBB’s “By The Time I Get To PHOENIX,” “WICHITA Lineman,” and “GALVESTON;” LARRY WEISS’ “RHINESTONE COWBOY;” and ALLEN TOUSSAINT’s “Southern Nights,” infusing them with his characteristic warmth and honesty.

CAMPBELL made history in 1967, winning four GRAMMYS -- two each in Country and Pop -- for “Gentle On My Mind” and “By The Time I Get To PHOENIX,” respectively. From 1969 until 1972, CAMPBELL hosted "The GLEN CAMPBELL Goodtime Hour" on television, helping to launch the careers of ANNE MURRAY and JERRY REED, both of whom were series regulars.

He was named Male Vocalist Of The Year by both the COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION and the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC, while winning Entertainer Of The Year from the former in 1968. CAMPBELL was inducted into the COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME in 2005.

CAMPBELL was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2011, a struggle chronicled in the 2014 film, "I'll Be Me," and which followed CAMPBELL and his family during a farewell tour. Earlier this YEAR, CAMPBELL released "Adios," his final studio album.

No information on services have been announced so far. Per a statement from the family via CAMPBELL's FACEBOOK page, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the GLEN CAMPBELL MEMORIAL FUND at BRIGHTFOCUS FOUNDATION here. Donations will support Alzheimer's research.

More Tributes

“GLEN was a dear friend to me. One of the best. Let the Lord be with him to rest his soul and to comfort his family.” - JERRY LEE LEWIS, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer

“We’re gonna miss GLEN. He was a friend of mine for way over 50 years. He was my neighbor in LA before we both moved to NASHVILLE and we hung out together a lot -- back in the early ‘60s. It's a rough day.” - BOBBY BARE, Country Music Hall of Famer

"God Bless you GLEN! When I was young I wanted to sing, play, even comb my hair like GLEN CAMPBELL! The most naturally gifted human I've ever been around. He was simply amazing, we'll miss you ole pal." - STEVE WARINER, Country Icon and GRAND OLD OPRY member

"GLEN CAMPBELL was a gentleman and a joy to work with. GLEN played guitar and sang with LEON RUSSELL and DAVID GATES on my first records in HOLLYWOOD. He will be mourned and always loved by so many." - CHUCK NEGRON, formerly of THREE DOG NIGHT.

"Back in the '80s, AMBROSIA had the opportunity to eavesdrop on a rehearsal GLEN was having with his band. We have rarely witnessed anyone with that level of instrumental and vocal talent and he pulled it off with great tact and a great sense of humor. We were more than impressed." - BURLEIGH DRUMMOND of AMBROSIA

"I was FIVE years old when I learned all the words to 'By the Time I Get to PHOENIX.' Now I am 55 and get senior discounts on coffee. GLEN's voice cuts through the years to the very day I learned it! I learned his every inflection. Who had more pure talent than GLEN CAMPBELL? Nobody." - MAX T. BARNES, award-winning songwriter

"GLEN CAMPBELL was one of the best of all time. His music has always inspired me. Rest in peace." - Country artist LOGAN MIZE

"My mom always had GLEN CAMPBELL records around the house and when I hear them now it immediately takes me back to being a little girl. I always admired his long-lasting career and how some of his most recent music, like 2011's "Ghost On the Canvas," was some of his best, which makes him a true icon. That song is so much more haunting now." - Country artist KALIE SHORR

"GLEN CAMPBELL was a true icon, the music will miss him." - SCOOTER BROWN of the SCOOTER BROWN BAND.

And THE MIX GROUP created an audio salute to GLEN CAMPBELL.  Click here ... The password is: rhinestone

« see more Net News