TO EXCELLENCE

Well, it's happened. Glen Campbell, who has been battling Alzheimer's for the last few years has been moved into a care facility. One can only hope that he's reminded by his family and friends how much his music means to so many people. You might classify it as parents music, particularly if you grew up in the age when you were a counter culture upstart rocking out, and Campbell's music was inescapable, pouring out of both Top 40 and easy listening radio stations. But, check it out as objectively as possible and what you hear is near perfection in terms of content, often aided by the songwriting of Jimmy Webb, and sound, with Campbell's insanely clean guitar, and frequent backing by his buddies from the Wrecking Crew, of which Campbell himself was a member.

Just his session dossier would be enough for any musician. As a member of the Wrecking Crew, he played on sessions for Ricky Nelson, Nat King Cole, the Monkees, Nancy Sinatra, Merle Haggard, Jan and Dean, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, and various Phil Spector sessions, not to mention the Beach Boys. He was actually a stand in for Brian Wilson when Wilson began sitting out the tours. As a way of thanking Campbell, Wilson wrote and produced his "Guess I'm Dumb" which sounds an awful lot like a Pet Sounds era outtake. (Link below). Campbell also hosted a variety show, the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, which had among it's regulars John Hartford (writer of his hit "Gentle On My Mind"), Anne Murray, Mel Tillis and Jerry Reed, who all would become household names from the exposure.

Even after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Campbell put out two more albums and had a farewell tour. He may never record or play publicly again, but no matter how long he is interned or what lies ahead for him, without an ounce of clichéd corniness intended (and I don't give a shit if that's how it comes off), his music will live.

~ NOTE: ALL MEDIA IS HOSTED BY THE BLOGS & SITES NAMED BELOW ~

Listen:
Glen Campbell - Wichita Lineman mp3 at Tsuru and the Bride Written by Jimmy Webb 
Glen Campbell - Galveston mp3 at Cold Splinters Written by Jimmy Webb
Glen Campbell - Gentle On My Mind mp3 at Rocky 52 Written by John Hartford
Glen Campbell - Guess I'm Dumb mp3 at Margauxville Written and produced by Brian Wilson 
Visit:
Glen Campbell Moved Into a Care Facility at Billboard.com