Many of us probably grew up listening to Glen Campbell singles, like “Wichita Lineman,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” and “Rhinestone Cowboy,” but before he broke out with those tunes, Campbell, who died today at 81, was a well-regarded session player—most famously sitting in with the Wrecking Crew, who performed the music on many acts from the 60s on: Beach Boys, Simon and Garfunkel, Mamas and Papas, Johnny Rivers, Monkees, Righteous Brothers, you name it, they probably played on it. According to Rolling Stone, Campbell played on 586 songs in just 1963!
There’s a wonderful documentary about the Wrecking Crew, where you see a young Glen Campbell working with an equally youthful Phil Spector. Along the way to commercial success, booze, drugs, bad relationships and the usual temptations tore at him. He would later star in his own documentary called I’ll Be Me, which delves into Campbell’s inner hells as it covers his final tour in 2012 when he was struggling with Alzheimer’s. It’s both tragic and heroic to see him forget lines he’s sung thousands of times, even forget his own children, yet his fingers never forget how to play. And wow could he play!
Born into a sharecropper family in Arkansas in 1936, after his LA session work Campbell made it big in the late 60s and early 70s, eventually starring in a popular TV variety show, making some good movies and winning 10 Grammys. He moved here to Phoenix in the 80s, and was a visible member of the community, often raising money for good causes. RIP Mr. Campbell, you did great, contributing to the soundtrack of our lives and so much more.
UPDATE: Since posting this, several commenters have shared personal stories about Glen Campbell, which I never had, only meeting him once. See the comment by independent cuss and also DannyB’s diary. Also, h/t to tubacat for posting this YouTube of Campbell’s jaw-dropping guitar work. Lotsa other vids below!