After a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, country music icon Glen Campbell has passed away at 81-years-old. His impressive catalog includes hits “Rhinestone Cowboy,” “Wichita Lineman,” “Gentle On My Mind,” “Galveston,” and “By the Time I Get to Phoenix.”
“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,” the singer’s family shared in a statement posted to the star’s official website.
In 2011, Campbell shared with fans that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and soon announced he was retiring from music due to the debilitating disease. He released his final album of original music titled Ghost on the Canvas and completed a farewell tour with the help of three of his children.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Glen Campbell Memorial Fund at BrightFocus Foundation here.
To remember Glen, let’s enjoy one of the top hits of his storied career…
“Rhinestone Cowboy” Lyrics
I’ve been walkin’ these streets so long
Singin’ the same old song
I know every crack in these dirty sidewalks of Broadway
Where hustle’s the name of the game
And nice guys get washed away like the snow and the rain
There’s been a load of compromisin’
On the road to my horizon
But I’m gonna be where the lights are shinin’ on me
Like a rhinestone cowboy
Riding out on a horse in a star-spangled rodeo
Like a rhinestone cowboy
Getting cards and letters from people I don’t even know
And offers comin’ over the phone
Well, I really don’t mind the rain
And a smile can hide all the pain
But you’re down when you’re ridin’ the train that’s takin’ the long way
And I dream of the things I’ll do
With a subway token and a dollar tucked inside my shoe
There’ll be a load of compromisin’
On the road to my horizon
But I’m gonna be where the lights are shinin’ on me
Like a rhinestone cowboy
Riding out on a horse in a star-spangled rodeo
Rhinestone cowboy
Gettin’ cards and letters from people I don’t even know
And offers comin’ over the phone
Like a rhinestone cowboy
Riding out on a horse in a star-spangled rodeo
Like a rhinestone cowboy
Gettin’ cards and letters from people I don’t even know
RIP, Glen.
