Glen Campbell has Alzheimer's, plans for final album and farewell tour

[Kadie]

Glen Campbell has Alzheimer's, plans for final album and farewell tour

June 22, 2011 | 12:39 pm

Glen Campbell has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the 75-year-old country singer, songwriter and guitarist and his wife, Kim, have told People magazine, a condition that has prompted him to describe a new album coming in August as his final recording.

"Glen is still an awesome guitar player and singer," Kim said in the interview. "But if he flubs a lyric or gets confused onstage, I wouldn’t want people to think, 'What's the matter with him? Is he drunk?' "

Campbell is planning a series of concerts this fall in support of the album, “Ghost on the Canvas,” due Aug. 30. He is working again with producer Julian Raymond, who helped rejuvenate Campbell’s career in 2008 on “Meet Glen Campbell,” a collection of surprising song choices including Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life),” the Velvet Underground’s “Jesus,” Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers’ “Walls” and the Replacements' “Sadly Beautiful.”

more...
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2011/06/glen-campbell-alzheimers-ghost-canvas.html

[Taverner]

1. I am the lineman for the countyyyyyyyyy

Best of luck, Mr Campbell

BTW...the line "singing in the wire" - is that referring to the hum powerlines make in the wind?

[AngryOldDem]

5. Yes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qoymGCDYzU

Here's to Mr. Campbell.

[Taverner]

15. Interesting, some of the comments on this vid

In particular the one about it being a soothing song at a very turbulent time.

My hat goes out to all the vets out there searching for peace. I hope they all do someday.

[AngryOldDem]

19. Jimmy Webb is a master.

He said at the concert that at the time he wasn't taken seriously; I think he's one of the best songwriters ever ("MacArthur Park" notwithstanding).

He and Glen Campbell are a hell of a team. In some ways, they also define the '60s. Not much of a Campbell fan, but I love his interpretations of Webb's songs.

[RebelOne]

20. That is my favorite of all his songs. n/t

[AngryOldDem]

2. Damn.

He was in concert here with Jimmy Webb about three weeks ago. Unfortunately, we didn't see him because we had to leave at intermission because of a family situation. I really, really wanted to hear him sing "Wichita Lineman" in person, with Jimmy Webb, no less. Little did I know that that was probably one of his last live performances.

[virgogal]

3. I was never crazy about him but feel so sorry that he has this

dreaded illness.

It isn't called "The Long Goodbye" for nothing.

[WCGreen]

12. His summer replacement show for the Smothers Brothers was a great

watch when I was a kid...

[hifiguy]

4. Superb studio musician in the days before he became

a famous solo act. He's all over the Beach Boys records and a lot of other stuff from mid-1960s LA pop and rock. Fare thee well, sir, and best of luck.

[Wilms]

6. The Wrecking Crew

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wrecking_Crew_%28music%29

:thumbsup:

[KittyWampus]

9. Glad I followed to the link. Learned a lot.

[hifiguy]

10. I didn't know he was a member of the Wrecking Crew!

What a murderer's row of incredible players are on that list. They were the LA version of Motown's Funk Brothers - the cream of the cream.

Joe Osborne and Carol Kaye are gods to us bass players, and the list of guitarists and keyboards players is a virtual Hall of Fame. Wow.

[Wilms]

11. Time to clean the stylus and gently rest some vinyl on the platter, hifi!

:)

[Raine]

7. Sad news

it's such a horrible disease, very sorry to hear this.

[Bluebear]

8. Really a grand talent. Goes from country to heady Jimmy Webb songs in a flash.

[tabasco]

13. He was on TV a lot as I was growing up.

Seems like a nice guy.

[Uncle Joe]

14. Glen made some beautiful music,

"Wichita Lineman," "Gentle on My Mind," "By the Time I get to Phoenix."

I wish him and his family peace, strength and resolve.

Thanks for thread, Kadie.

[madrchsod]

16. that`s to soon...!

[undeterred]

17. Wichita Lineman: perfect song, perfectly performed.

He made a real contribution.

[Raschel]

23. Galveston is one of my favorites. It touched me deeply even when I was a little girl.

[undeterred]

24. Love that one too.

[jwirr]

18. The album should be good - those of us with problems remembering

can often remember the old time best of all. Hopefully for him that will be true while he is recording.

[The Midway Rebel]

21. Glen was one of the best studio guitarist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRI8cAq0KME

Here is Glen with Tennesse Ernie Ford.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

22. I just had a flashback to seeing him for the first times on The Smothers Brothers Show.

I wish him all the best.