Alzheimer's Diagnosis Spurs Glen Campbell's Good-bye Tour

Glen Campbell Poses for a Portrait Picture (credit Matt Sayles/AP photo)

In a recent interview with ABC's Terry Moran, Glen Campbell showed signs of forgetfulness, often a major indicator of dementia or Alzheimer's.  Kim Woollen, his wife of almost thirty years, sat by his side throughout the interview, sometimes correcting statements he made.  When queried about the diagnosis, Campbell responded, "I hadn't gotten it yet.  In fact, I don't even know where it came from."  Woollen chimed in, "Yes, you've been diagnosed with Alzheimer's."  When Campbell guessed his age as 78, she told him he is 75.  In speaking about his marriage, he said, "There's a verse in the bible that says, 'If the man findeth a good wife he's found a good thing,' and I found a good thing, or she found me," he said. "Did you find me or did I find you?"  She said they had found each other.

Fortunately, Campbell does remember the words to songs that made him famous.  The ABC interview video shows him singing "Wichita Lineman" at different stages of his career.  Other hits include "Gentle on My Mind", "Rhinestone Cowboy", "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", and "Galveston".  He knew early in life that he didn't want to work picking cotton or corn, so he turned his love of the guitar and clear singing voice into a career.  For many years, the demands of touring and life on the road promoted heavy drinking.  Eventually, he stopped "cold turkey".




Ghost on the Canvas Album Cover

 His final album, Ghost on the Canvas, was recorded during 2009-2010 and will be released August 30, 2011.  Campbell and his wife delayed the announcement of his Alzheimer's diagnosis until recently.  They went public prior to the Good-bye Tour, so audiences wouldn't wonder why, if he forgets any of the lyrics. Campbell will be supported on tour by the band Instant People, which includes three of his youngest children. His son Cal plays drums, son Shannon plays guitar, and daughter Ashley plays banjo and keys.  His oldest daughter Debby sings harmony.  That tour should motivate fans to see him one last time. People of a certain age will know the lyrics to all of his songs by heart.