Posted on 11/30/2012 11:21:11 PM PST by FlJoePa
Mixed emotions were inevitable for fans of Glen Campbell during the legendary singer-guitarist’s performance at the Paramount Tuesday night.
One of the last concerts remaining on Campbell’s long-running “Goodbye Tour,” which the 76-year-old musician launched last year after announcing he suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, the Seattle show underscored the beloved artist’s strengths as a consummate crossover musician since the 1950s.
At the same time, the ravages of Alzheimer’s were very much in evidence. Campbell sometimes stared at teleprompters, singing displayed lyrics as if reading from a book. (Even so, he lost his way on occasion.) His stage patter rambled: At one point, Campbell began a story about his “True Grit” co-star John Wayne, but the anecdote dissolved.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.com ...
Not so much for his solo stuff - which is top shelf, but for all the session work he did in the 60's. He played on everything. They say there was a time in the mid/late 60's that if you turned on the radio you had a 1 in 4 chance of hearing his guitar playing.
Here he is a few years ago with another great guitarist Steve Lukather just playing and talking about a lot of great stuff - McLinky
In case anybody forgets just how great Glen Campbell is, here’s a video. Check out the old man’s guitar work here. He started out as a studio musician with a few other notables who were referred to at the time (circa 1960) as “the Wrecking Crew”. This is from 2008:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B49YDR6OMIE
By the way, I went to see Peter Green in concert at the Keswick Theater (suburban Philly) back in 2000, when Green was almost 54. (Peter Green was the founder of Fleetwood Mac.) Ironically, the opening act was John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, the band Green left (after replacing Eric Clapton) to found Fleetwood Mac.
Anyway, Peter didn’t have Alzheimer’s, but the ravages of way too much LSD during the ‘60s was evident. He hardly said a word, although he did sing and play well. He had a good, full band around him, and it was one of those guys who handled all the banter with the audience.
That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the concert. I never thought I’d get to see songs like ‘Albatross’ and ‘Rattlesnake Shake’ live. I have always been a HUGE fan of the original Fleetwood Mac, when they were basically a straight, old-fashioned blues band.
FRegards,
LH
Wow, I believe glen was dx’ed before my dad, and he is in better shape than my dad who could never function on a stage. I despise this disease.
Glen could never read a note of music. Amazing to think about how talented someone must be to do what he did. They say he could pick up an instrument and play it. It didn't matter what it was. Amazing Grace - Glen on the bagpipes
Hey, we have a _resident that does that all the time.
Yeah, but Glen isn't always picking on the wealthy and trying to tax them out of existence.
Thank you so much for the link to the video of Glen singing “Amazing Grace” and playing the bagpipes. I never realized just how talented he was/is, even though I enjoyed most of his music.
Yes, Campbell deserves to be in the Rock n Roll HOF...and yes his session work alone would merit him entry...he was part of the legendary Wrecking Crew
And, he also replaced Brian Wilson on bass for the Beach Boys on tour when Wilson had his first health issues.
Glen Campbell is an virtuoso guitarist who is blessed with a great voice. Sad that this is his last tour.
Saw him in Branson several years ago along with Andy Williams. No telepromters at that point. It was a great show.
Very sad. This man could play almost any musical instrument. He and another(can’t remember his name)are great. Natural talent through and through.
I confess that I never fully appreciated what great talent we had when they were all with us but when I look at the old videos and realize what a gap exists between the greats of old and the current bunch it causes an actual pain in my chest and makes me feel week.
Mama always told me that you never know the worth of the water until the well runs dry...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glnkmsbWR0k
The other man was Roy Clark.
That was amazing. I had not heard that song before. :)
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