Kathy Pinna
Glen Campbell, 1960's
A photo of Glen Campbell, early in his decades long career.
He was born the son of a sharecropper - the 7th of 12 children - in Arkansas. When he was 4 years old, he received a guitar as a gift and he fell in love. When he wasn't helping the family in the fields, he would play his guitar.
In 1954, at the age of 18, he began appearing on his Uncle's radio show in New Mexico, as well as playing in his Uncle's band. It wasn't long (four years) until he formed his own band - the Western Wranglers.
In 1960, Glen moved to Los Angeles and became a popular - and in demand - studio musician. He played for everyone - and in all types of music - from Frank Sinatra, to Ricky Nelson, to Elvis. He even filled in for Brian Wilson in the Beach Boys for a while (he later said that the falsetto voice was difficult!). Although he couldn't read a note of music, his skills and ability as a guitarist impressed everyone.
By the early 1960's, he was releasing his own records and hits such as "Gentle on My Mind"; "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", "Wichita Lineman", "Galveston"; "Rhinestone Cowboy"; "Southern Nights" made him a household name.
Performing for decades, Campbell announced publicly that he had been diagnosed as having Alzheimer's disease in 2011. He went on a last tour - with his family - and wowed his fans.
Sadly, he died in a nursing home in Nashville, Tennessee on August 8th, 2017 - 6 years after he had been diagnosed - at the age of 81. What a whirlwind life - 4 wives, 8 children, and one heck of a musical career!
He was born the son of a sharecropper - the 7th of 12 children - in Arkansas. When he was 4 years old, he received a guitar as a gift and he fell in love. When he wasn't helping the family in the fields, he would play his guitar.
In 1954, at the age of 18, he began appearing on his Uncle's radio show in New Mexico, as well as playing in his Uncle's band. It wasn't long (four years) until he formed his own band - the Western Wranglers.
In 1960, Glen moved to Los Angeles and became a popular - and in demand - studio musician. He played for everyone - and in all types of music - from Frank Sinatra, to Ricky Nelson, to Elvis. He even filled in for Brian Wilson in the Beach Boys for a while (he later said that the falsetto voice was difficult!). Although he couldn't read a note of music, his skills and ability as a guitarist impressed everyone.
By the early 1960's, he was releasing his own records and hits such as "Gentle on My Mind"; "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", "Wichita Lineman", "Galveston"; "Rhinestone Cowboy"; "Southern Nights" made him a household name.
Performing for decades, Campbell announced publicly that he had been diagnosed as having Alzheimer's disease in 2011. He went on a last tour - with his family - and wowed his fans.
Sadly, he died in a nursing home in Nashville, Tennessee on August 8th, 2017 - 6 years after he had been diagnosed - at the age of 81. What a whirlwind life - 4 wives, 8 children, and one heck of a musical career!
Date & Place:
Not specified or unknown.
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