The "Wichita Lineman" Is Still On the Line - RIP Glenn Campbell

He was something special. Big deal when I was a kid. Did movies. A great career.

I remember he was on the Smothers Brothers show.

Of course they spoofed him.

'Its just knowing that your door is always open and your furniture is gone'
I still sing it that way!

Rest in Peace, Glen.

I'd also like to add that, unlike many country artists nowadays or even then (with apologies to country guitar whiz Brad Paisley), Glenn was a ferocious guitar player, and in fact was a member of the famous "Wrecking Crew" of studio musicians. He supposedly lent his talent to 600 tracks in one year! Add to that a fantastic smooth voice, a handsomely rugged masculinity, and obvious charisma and stage presence, and a star was born.

And Tom, from what I understand, it was that first Smothers Brothers appearance that made him a real star.

Rest In Paradise Glen and thank you for touching so many lives with you talents

He faced Alzheimer's with a lot of courage and grace. Rest in Peace, Glen.

"I dip my cup of soup back from a gurglin'
Cracklin' caldron in some train yard
My beard a roughening coal pile,
And a dirty hat pulled low across my face
Through cupped hands 'round the tin can
I pretend to hold you to my breast and find

That you're waiting from the backroads
By the rivers of my memories
Ever smilin' ever gentle on my mind"

Sweet! :)

When I was a kid on the farm, there only was one radio station allowed in the barn--KFIL, which was nothing but country. I did not like much of it, but Glen Campbell was one of my favorites. It's amazing how he soldiered on musically despite his health decline.

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Originally Posted by ZipZop

An American Icon. We were lucky to have had him in our lifetime.

This is my favorite performance of "Wichita Lineman" that Glen did toward the end of his career. His disease was already present but not yet diagnosed as Alzheimers. His behavior with the camera is a little "off" and you can tell something is not quite right, but the performance is just stellar. His daughter Ashley once commented that when his disease really took hold, even then, every once in a while, he would play a lick on the guitar and she'd be amazed that the talent transcended the disease. This is one of those performances, one of the last on the Jools Holland show from London.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B49YDR6OMIE

An amazing talent, even at this stage of his career with the disease already in progress. RIP.
And just a quick nod to Jimmy Webb for writing such a beautiful song for Glen to perform.

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I grew up listening to his music and drifted away from that style but thanks for posting, this just reminded me what a great talent he was will be greatly missed !!!

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Originally Posted by Utopian

When I was a kid on the farm, there only was one radio station allowed in the barn--KFIL, which was nothing but country. I did not like much of it, but Glen Campbell was one of my favorites. It's amazing how he soldiered on musically despite his health decline.

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I know what ya mean Ron. My dad had a shop & they had an am radio up on a small makeshift shelf & it stayed on one station for I don't know how many years but it was country, classic country these days. There's a long list of many country & western artists from the '50's - '80's at the time that I like. I saw Glen Campbell not long ago in True Grit.
RIP Glen Campbell.