He May Not Miss Us, But We're Sure Gonna Miss Him...

Both rock 'n' roll heaven and that Grand Ol' Opry in the sky gained an angel today; singer/songwriting legend, Glen Campbell has died at the age of 81.

Glen was best known for his string of  country crossover hits in the mid 60's through the 70's, though his career actually started in 1960 when he moved to Los Angeles.

 Before making it as a solo artist, Campbell was best known for being a member of The Champs for about a year, then, after leaving the group, he spent time touring with The Beach Boys, filling in for member, Brian Wilson.

During his early years in L.A., while not on the road, Campbell made a name for himself as a studio musician, his talent shining brightly enough to earn him status as part of the elite group of studio session members known as The Wrecking Crew.  These studio musicians were known for being the best of the best, and were highly sought after by all the top singers of the day.

If Campbell wasn't busy enough touring and recording in the studio, he was also trying to make a name for himself as a solo artist.  By the mid 60's Campbell had already been signed by two record companies, appeared on several TV shows, and  released a handful of singles to radio.  As with most artists looking for fame though, Campbell kept reaching for the stars, with limited success.

That all changed in 1967 however.  That year Campbell had a breakthrough hit with "Gentle On My Mind".  This hit was followed by "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", penned by prolific songwriter, Jimmy Webb.

Webb has had hits with the who's who of music, including Whitney Houston, The 5th Dimension, and the iconic, "MacArthur's Park", by Rod McKuen.

During Glen Campbell's career, he scored several hits written by Webb, including "Galveston", "Wichita Lineman", and "Honey Come Back", to name a few.

These songs,(as well as other hits), were not only country gold, garnering Campbell several awards,  they catapulted the singer into the realm of crossover artist.  No matter what genre a radio station played, chances were they'd be playing at least one Glen Campbell hit.

If being a major singer/songwriter and musician wasn't enough, in January 1969, CBS debuted "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour".  Like other variety shows of the day, the program offered music, comedy and big name guest stars.

Additionally, Campbell's show helped bring country music to the forefront during what could be considered the heyday of the ever changing rock and roll scene.

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It wasn't just the small screen that Campbell invaded that year.  On the big screen Campbell made his acting debut, opposite none other than John Wayne.  Campbell played "La Boeuf" opposite Wayne's "Rooster Cogburn", in the movie, "True Grit".


Even while honing his acting chops, Campbell didn't stray too far from his musical roots.  In addition to acting in "True Grit", Campbell sang the theme song to the movie.

Glen Campbell's hits continued into the 70's, though his personal life was taking a downward turn.

While Campbell will always be known for his hits in the 60's, probably the most well known song of all his hits is "Rhinestone Cowboy".  As big as his other hits were, even those tunes aren't as widely recognized as that song, released in 1975.

The high of "Rhinestone Cowboy" in 1975 was tempered by the crumbling of Campbell's marriage to second wife, Billie Jean Nunley in 1976, after 17 years.

Campbell didn't stay single long however.  That same year, he married Sarah Berg, the former wife of singer/songwriter/actor, Mac Davis.   The two remained married until just after the birth of their son in 1980.

With the 70's, and his marriage to Sarah, behind him, Campbell entered into what might have been the most tumultuous period of his life.  From 1980, through 1982, Campbell dated fellow country singer, Tanya Tucker.  Half Campbell's age, with a fiery temper, Tucker seemed, at least to outsiders, to be a bit more than Campbell could handle.  This period in Campbell's life saw him delve into drink and drugs, and what seemed to be constant public bickering with Tucker.  After their split in 1982, both Campbell and Tucker refused to speak of their relationship.

Single once again, Campbell married his fourth wife, Kim Woolen, in 1982, and life seemed to return to normal for the singer.

While the early 80's seems to be when Glen Campbell's heyday peaked, it wasn't a period of slowing down for the him.  Campbell continued to tour extensively, and recorded a new album almost every year.

At least one of Campbell's children from a previous marriage, Debby Campbell, toured and sang with her father;  while Ashley Campbell, one of Glen's children with Kim, is an up and coming country singer/songwriter.

 Life seemed to quiet down for Campbell, while still remaining consistent in regards to his career.  Unlike a lot of celebrities, Campbell appeared to be gracefully entering his senior years.

Then came the news in 2011, Glen Campbell, the man who had spent almost five decades entertaining fans in song and on screen, had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.  The news was made public in conjunction with the announcement that Campbell would be embarking on his final tour.

In 2012 Campbell added to his awards, being honored with a Grammy LIfetime Achievement award.

2013-2014 saw the release of a documentary about Campbell's life, career, and struggle with Alzheimer's.  A song from this film, "I'm Not Gonna Miss You", was also released to radio at the time.  Though not written by Campbell, it's a poignant song that captures what the man was going through while dealing with the disease.

  Earlier this year, Glen Campbell's final studio album, "Adios", was released.  It's a compilation of songs the singer had always wanted to record, but never did.  Though just released, the album was actually recorded in 2012.

 Then today, August 8, 2017, came the sad news, Glen Campbell passed away, losing his battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Over the past six years Campbell's family has kept his fans abreast of how the singer was doing, and were staunch advocates of finding a cure for Alzheimer's.  Though Campbell has now passed, the family has said they'd continue to help find a cure.

Usually when I write a post, it reflects a part of me; and this time is no exception.  Before getting to that though, I felt that Glen Campbell deserved to have his life and accomplishments mentioned; he's definitely a country music/crossover legend after all.

My love of, and connection as a fan to Glen Campbell began when I was a little girl.  Glen Campbell was my mom's favorite singer, and she played his music all the time in our house.

Campbell's concert, when I was little, was the first concert I remember going to.  I remember that my brother, who is totally deaf, even liked the show, because he could feel the rhythm of the music through the floor of the auditorium.  That concert instilled a love of music in him, because though he couldn't hear it, he learned to enjoy it through the vibrations it made.

Though Campbell had a huge list of hits to his credit, my favorite song was one that not many remember, "Dreams of the Everyday Housewife".  I don't know what it is about the song, but it's just always been my favorite of all of Campbell's songs.

In later years, my connection with Glen Campbell continued, through his having Alzheimer's Disease, something that my mom also has.  I found it ironic to be keeping track of Campbell's struggles, (because my mom insisted on being kept up to date on how he was doing), while watching my mom go through the same thing at the same time.  It was sad to have to tell her today that Campbell had died. 

Being such a huge fan of all types of music, it's always hard when any artist passes, especially one that's such an icon in the industry.  Though I didn't know him personally, I think the reason Glen Campbell's passing is so sad for me is because of his having Alzheimer's, as well as being my mom's favorite singer.  It hits a little too close to home for me, I guess.  So, I guess this post is as much for my mom as it is for me, because I know my mom is sad to hear about Campbell's death.  I hope I've made both of them proud with what I've written here. 

Country Legend Glen Campbell

Anyone who's listened to music, especially country music, has probably heard of Glen Campbell.  At the very least, they've heard a Glen Campbell song, whether by Glen himself, or a cover by another artist.  

This post is to shine some light on Campbell's career, as well as acknowledge artists who have done cover versions of Campbell's hits.

For myself, it's also a post honoring one of my mom's favorite singers of all-time.  A singer who, unfortunately, she has something in common with, Alzheimer's.

Rather than just run through Campbell's career achievements however, as stated earlier, I'm choosing to also highlight other artist's versions of Glen's hits, as well as more recent news about Campbell's life.


Before having hits as a solo artist, Glen Campbell had been a session musician, recording with some of the biggest names in music, including, Bobby Darin, Ricky Nelson, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, The Monkees, Nancy Sinatra, Merle Haggard, Jan & Dean, Elvis Presley, and Frank Sinatra.  Campbell was also a session musician on The Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds", as well as doing a stint touring with the band, playing bass guitar and providing background harmonies.

As a solo artist, Campbell racked up several hits on the country charts, as well as crossover hits on pop radio.  Even those who don't know Campbell's classics like, "Gentle On My Mind", "Galveston", or "Wichita Lineman", usually have heard the iconic "Rhinestone Cowboy".

Personally, of all Campbell's hits, my favorite has always been one that wasn't as big as Glen's other songs, "Dreams of the Everyday Housewife".

 To this day, I don't know why I love this song so much; I was just a little girl when it was on the radio.  I just know that it's still one of my favorite Glen Campbell songs.

In addition to recording and touring extensively, Campbell also found time for acting, (playing opposite John Wayne in "True Grit"), and hosting his own TV show.  "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour" aired from 1969 to 1972, featuring guest stars, music and skits.

While Campbell's career was going smoothly, his personal life began to unravel.  One of the most prominent displays of this was Campbell's tumultuous relationship with Tanya Tucker.

Eventually Campbell seemed to get things together, and while not having hits on the radio, still toured extensively over the years, sounding as great as he always had.

2011 brought news that Campbell was suffering from Alzheimer's, but would continue to tour as long as he was able.  And that's exactly what he's been doing until now.  Yes, there were good days and bad days; regardless though, Campbell pressed on giving his fans all he had.

Earlier this year however, Campbell was forced to quit touring; the disease that was robbing his memory was taking it's toll on the legendary singer.

Though he's stopped touring, Campbell has released one last recording, his farewell to fans, friends and family, with the song, "I'm Not Gonna Miss You".  It's a bittersweet tale of how the singer won't miss anyone, not because he doesn't care, but because he's not going to remember them.  The song is even more haunting in the fact that the singer never actually says he won't remember anyone; just how he won't miss them.

While I knew of Glen Campbell's battle with Alzheimer's, and that he'd recorded "I'm Not Gonna Miss You", what got me writing this post was The Band Perry.  Early one morning I was listening to 98.7 The Bull's overnight show, and heard Kimberly Perry's distinctive voice singing a very familiar song, "Gentle On My Mind".

It's the band's current single, and is featured in the movie, "Glen Campbell, I'll Be Me", which is the story of Campbell's life.  Though it's hard for anyone to do a remake of anything that was hugely popular; The Band Perry do an excellent job with "Gentle on My Mind".

The Band Perry's single also had me remembering when 90's country singer, Wade Hayes did a cover of "Wichita Lineman".

I've always felt that Hayes wasn't given his due on this song.  He did a great job of covering the tune, yet, it didn't do very well at radio.

While researching videos for this post, I ran across some information that was new to me.  It seems Collin Raye, another popular country artist from the 90's, has released an entire tribute CD in honor of Glen Campbell.  He's also released his first single from this CD, "Galveston".

It's sad to think that someone who's had such an illustrious career in music, like Glen Campbell, isn't going to be able to remember any of it.  He won't remember how much his songs have contributed to country music, and to the lives of his fans around the world.

For me I guess, it's also sad, because I have some understanding of what's happening to Glen.  Though my mom's Alzheimer's isn't as advanced as Campbell's, I can still identify with what the country music legend is going through, and it makes me sad; not just for him, but for what lies ahead for my mom as well.

So, while Glen Campbell may not remember what he's contributed to the world of music, it's nice to know that other artists who have followed in his footsteps do remember; and are helping to keep Campbell's legacy alive and in everyone's memory.