Music legend Glen Campbell has finally lost his battle with Alzheimerâs disease. The legendary singer, best known for songs like âRhinestone Cowboy,â Wichita Linemanâ and âGentle on My Mind,â died yesterday at a Nashville facility 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, at the age of 81, following his long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease," a statement from the family reads. "The family appreciates your prayers and respect for their privacy at this time."
- In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Glen Campbell Memorial Fund at BrightFocus Foundation through the CareLiving.org donation page.
- The singer's daughter Ashley Campbell later tweeted a picture holding her dad's hand, adding, "Heartbroken. I owe him everything I am, and everything I ever will be. He will be remembered so well and with so much love."
- For the record...Campbell, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005, released more than 60 albums throughout his career, winning six GRAMMYs, including Album of the Year in 1968 for âBy The Time I Get To Phoenix.â He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the GRAMMYs in 2012.
- Glen also did some acting on the big and small screen and received a Golden Globe nomination for his supporting role in the 1969 film, âTrue Grit.â The title song from the movie also earned him an Academy Award nomination.
- Speaking of the Oscars...As fans will recall, Campbell announced heâd been diagnosed with Alzheimerâs back in 2011, and went on one final tour, which was made into the documentary âGlen CampbellâŠIâll Be Me.â That project earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song for âIâm Not Gonna Miss You.â The singerâs final album, âAdios,â was released June.
Source: Billboard