Glen Campbell, the country music icon who recorded such hits as “Rhinestone Cowboy,” “Wichita Lineman” and “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” has passed away at the age of 81. Campbell had been battling Alzheimer’s for several years.
Born in Billstown, Arkansas in 1936, Campbell began his music career at the age of 14, when he moved to Wyoming to play a circuit of rural bars with a musician uncle. Shortly thereafter, Campbell moved to Los Angeles, where he earned a spot with the iconic group of session musicians known as the Wrecking Crew.
In 1964, Campbell caught another big break when he was asked to fill in for the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, who had suffered a nervous breakdown during an international tour. Several other hits, including “Galveston” and “Wichita Lineman” followed soon thereafter.
Countless tributes to Campbell have poured in on social media, including the above tweet from his daughter, country singer Ashley, who posted a photo of her hand intertwined with her ailing father’s.
Glen Campbell is survived by his wife, Kimberly Wollen, and eight children. Our thoughts go out to his family during this difficult time.
