Remembering Glen Campbell – 1936-2017

Earlier this week, the world said “adios” to yet another music legend. Country superstar Glen Campbell passed away on August 8^th after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. During an unparalleled career in the music industry, Campbell leaves behind a once-in-a-generation legacy. In a career stretching six decades, he sold over 45 million records, and topped the country music chart 12 times – becoming a pioneer of country-pop crossover, and paving the way for generations of musicians. Not to be confined to one artform, Campbell also exhibited standout performances on the silver screen, including his roles in True Grit and Any Which Way You Can.

Glen Campbell is perhaps best known for his mega-hit “Rhinestone Cowboy”. He retired from Music in 2011, three years after he received and Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Campbell’s success also reminds us that anyone can overcome addiction. He struggled with cocaine and alcohol that nearly threatened his career and his relationship with his family. In his later years, he was incredibly candid about his past abuse and praised by addiction care specialists for this openness and willingness to serve as a cautionary tale. Campbell frequently discussed how he used cocaine to battle his inner demons, a situation to which thousands of vulnerable addicts can relate.

Expressions of prayer, support and gratitude have been pouring in from all over the music community, including Tanya Tucker, with whom he had a long-time romance. Over the course of his legendary career, Glen Campbell was nominated for 21 Grammy awards and won 10, including for “Gentle On My Mind,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” and “Wichita Lineman.” He also won 10 Academy of Country Music awards, including the ACM Honors lifetime achievement prize in 2016. Recovery Unplugged extends our sincerest and most profound condolences to Campbell’s family, and thanks Campbell for the indelible mark he left on the modern musical landscape.