Glen Campbell RIP

The death of Glen Campbell at the age of 81 marks the end of the career of a man who had a knack of finding memorable songs which straddled country and rock. Born in Arkansas. he learned to play the guitar and became a session musician on moving to Los Angeles in 1960, also joining The Champs. His session work included playing on records by Bobby Darin, Ricky Nelson, the Monkees, Elvis, Frank Sinatra and Jan and Dean among others. Early solo efforts included Winkie Doll, recorded under the name of Billy Dolton, and Turn Around Look At Me, both of which got a UK release. He also toured briefly as a member of the Beach Boys, filling in for Brian Wilson.

He signed to Capitol and his first success came with a cover of Buffy Sainte-Marie's Universal Soldier. Greater success came with Gentle On My Mind and a series of memorable Jimmy Webb songs including By The Time I Get to Phoenix, Wichita Lineman and Galveston. Later hits in the seventies included Rhinestone Cowboy and Allen Toussaint's Southern Nights. He wrote the theme and appeared in the 1968 movie True Grit and hosted his own Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour TV show, which attracted top guests including the Beatles, the Monkees, Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond. Glen suffered alcoholism and cocaine addiction but it was Alzheimers that brought him back into public prominence when he undertook a farewell tour in 2012 and recorded his final album, Adios, which was released earlier this year. Adios Glen. You and the Wichita Lineman will not be forgotten.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCBRaDdDet4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhLMVR1Twt0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7bTaZAOpQA