Knowledge Seeker
  • Home
  • Articles

Glenn Campbell (1936 - 2017)

9/1/2017

 
​Since Glenn just passed away I thought I’d write a short article about his life. You might be old enough to remember his career but a lot of people don’t know that he was a successful actor, musician, singer, songwriter, and television host.

He had so many iconic songs a few of which are on my list of favorites of all time such as: Like a Rhinestone Cowboy, By the Time I get to Phoenix, Gentle on My Mind, and Wichita Lineman. It was hits like these that led to so many Country Music and Grammy Awards for Glenn and got him in several halls of fames for his singing and writing expertise (in all he sold over 50 million records). He also performed in 12 movies including working with John Wayne in the award winning movie: True Grit. His variety show was called: The Glenn Campbell Goodtime Hour and it was a success as he was on the air for 91 episodes before deciding to go on tour again.

Glenn came from very humble beginnings in Arkansas where his father was a sharecropper and he had 11 siblings (he was the 7th born). He said that he couldn’t remember for sure when he picked up a guitar because his uncle Boo taught him how to play further back than he could remember.

His adult life was an extreme up and down journey. He was married three times early in his career before meeting his current wife Kim who he’d been married to for 34 years before his death. With all the wives combined he’s had eight children.

Kim and Glenn gave credit to their marriage because of their strong Christian faith and involvement with their church. I’ve seen several interviews with Kim because Glenn had gone through many difficult times including a widely publicized DWI where a drunken photo of him was plastered all over the media, and I can see why he married her, she’s such a wonderful, down to earth, person. She was truly his rock for decades especially during his trying time over the last several years as he’s battled Alzheimer’s.

When Glenn was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2011 he got busy in the recording studio putting out two albums with the last one just released in June pointedly called: Adios. The very last song he recorded was called: I’m Not Going to Miss You and it was released as a single in 2014 (three years before the album), and was nominated for a Grammy. Kim and Glenn wanted to release the album close to the time of his death as a goodbye celebration for his fans. It was an awesome gift.

Unfortunately he had a difficult time recognizing people his last year of life. His recall would go in and out so no one knew for sure when they approached him whether he’d remember who they were. I can’t imagine how horrible that must have been for him and his family and friends. Even when he got to the point of having a difficult time putting the right words together to speak, he could still sing his songs perfectly.
​
No one had a voice like Glenn Campbell as it was so smooth and beautiful and his smile was contagious. He’s going to be greatly missed and we were blessed to have him entertaining us for over 50 years.

Comments are closed.

    Author: John Mann

    Picture

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly