Glen Campbell, Diagnosed with Alzheimer's Plans Farewell Tour

For almost 50 years, Glen Campbell has been one of the most recognizable music acts in the U.S. Campbell is a pop singer, country western singer, guitarist, television host and sometime actor.

He was a touring member of the Beach Boys and a studio musician for Elvis Presley. As a solo artist he sold 45 million records with such hits as Rhinestone Cowboy, Gentle on My Mind, By the Time I Get to Phoenix, Wichita Lineman and Southern Nights.

He made music history in 1967 by winning 4 Grammys in both the country and pop categories. He was Male Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. In 1969 he was picked by John Wayne to co-star in the film True Grit. In 2005 he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Campbell grew up in rural Arkansas, one of twelve children. . He taught himself to play music on a guitar he purchased at Sears for $7. He loved to practice and soon became an excellent musician. His talent became noticed as he toured with his uncle's band.

He later moved to Los Angeles and became a member of the Wrecking Crew, a group of studio musicians who worked with Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and music producer Phil Spector.

He teamed up with songwriter Jimmy Webb and recorded Wichita Linemen which launched his career as a solo artist. For most of the 60's and 70's his career soared and he was on top of the entertainment world.

Campbell's rapid rise to stardom also had a downside. He divorced and married three times and had a stormy affair with country singer Tanya Tucker. As his hits slowed down he became involved with alcohol and drugs, habits he kicked when he met and married 4^th wife, Kim Woolen. He became a Born Again Christian in 1981.

He credits wife, Kim with saving his life and has not had a drink in 25 years. The couple has 3 children and is still together. Campbell has eight children from his 4 marriages -- 5 sons and 3 daughters.

His 3 children with Kim (a former Rockette) perform on stage as part of his present touring band. Another daughter Debby from his first marriage has been touring since 1987, and sings many of the duets made famous by her dad with Anne Murray and Bobbie Gentry.

Recently Campbell had difficulty while performing his concert in Indiana. He seemed disoriented and forgetful. In order to quash rumors that he was drunk, Campbell and his wife decided to announce that they had recently learned that Campbell was in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's is an irreversible brain disease that causes memory loss and loss of bodily functions. Patients usually live about 8 years after being diagnosed.

Since certain areas of the brain involving the ability to play music, are not always affected by the disease, Campbell may be able to perform. According to wife Kim, Campbell is still an "awesome" guitarist. He just might need some help with the lyrics.

The singer plans to go forward with his Farewell Tour this year -- . "I still love performing and I love to tour. I want to thank my fans for sticking with me through thick and thin," he said

Hopefully, he can do it..

Sources:

http://www.popeater.com/2011/06/22glen-campbell-alzheimer's-diagnosis-disease

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10094007/GenCampbell-Im-drinkin...