Country music legend Glen Campbell dies aged 81
The family of legendary country music singer Glen Campbell have announced his passing at the age of 81. “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and legendary singer and guitarist, Glen Travis Campbell ... following his long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease,” they wrote on Facebook yesterday.
His daughter, Ashley Campbell, took to Twitter to share a heartbreaking yet touching tribute to her beloved dad.
Campbell was known for his smooth vocals and genre-defying hits that earned him 10 Grammy awards and countless others. His best-loved songs include “Gentle on My Mind”, “Rhinestone Cowboy”, “By the Time I Get to Phoenix”, “Wichita Lineman”, “Galveston”, “Southern Nights” and “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle”.
Campbell also found success on the small screen, hosting his very own music and comedy variety show, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, from 1969 to 1972. A successful actor as well, he was lauded for his role in 1969’s True Grit, for which he received both Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations.
He is survived by his wife, Kim Woollen, and his eight children, Debby, Kelli, Travis, Kane, Dillon, Cal, Shannon and Ashley.