Recently I was thinking about my Mom and created a post about Love, Memory, and Music. Also, the Grammy and Academy Awards reminded me of Glen Campbell.

Glen Campbell

Country music legend Glen Campbell has been struggling with Alzheimer’s since early 2011, and has resided in a memory care facility near Nashville for the past year. When he received his diagnosis, he and his family decided to go on a three-week Goodbye Tour, which they filmed as the documentary Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me (click to watch the 3-minute trailer) released in October 2014, but it lasted 151 shows over 1 and 1/2 years (until Nov 2012). It was unusual that he and his family were willing to be public about his Alzheimer’s disease as he continued to perform, especially when other well-known people like Ronald Reagan just disappeared after it was announced.

I’m Not Gonna Miss You

Glen Campbell won the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Country Song with “I’m Gonna Miss You”, which was the last song that he wrote since struggling with Alzheimer’s disease since 2011. Also, he was nominated for an Oscar as Best Original Song written for a film (I’ll Be Me) at the 2015 Academy Awards but was not able to attend. Glen’s last performance was Rhinestone Cowboy at the 2012 Grammy Awards when he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Tim McGraw performed I’m Not Gonna Miss You on Glen’s behalf during the 2015 Academy Awards show. Here is his live performance of Glen’s song, which was an intimate, emotional moment of an honest, touching song.

“I’m Not Gonna Miss You” by Tim McGraw –  3 min 18 sec

 

See my Tim McGraw post for more of his songs, albums, videos, and links. This video has been included there as well.

Listen to the music from the soundtrack for Glen’s documentary while you continue reading.

“Glen Campbell I’ll Be Me Soundtrack EP” by Glen Campbell (2015) – 10 songs, 32 min

 

I can relate to the honesty in Glen Campbell’s song which won the Grammy award, “I’m Not Gonna Miss You”. This was the last song that he wrote and the lyrics reflect his Alzheimer’s reality with a focus on his wife and family.

I’m still here, but I’m gone.
I don’t play guitar or sing my songs.
They never defined who I am
The man that loves you ’til the end.

You’re the last person I will love.
You’re the last face I will recall.
But best of all,
I’m not gonna miss you.

Next it includes his famous song “Gentle On My Mind”, written by John Hartford, that is now performed by The Band Perry, which won a 2015 Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Glen’s daughter, Ashley Campbell, performs the songs “Remembering” and “Home Again”.

Also Glen performs “All I Need Is You” and “The Long Walk Home”, as well as his hit “Wichita Lineman” and the touching “A Better Place”, which were recorded live from Ryman Auditorium in Nashville  which is the famous home of the The Grand Ole Opry.

Here’s a video which features “I’m Not Gonna Miss You”.

“I’m Not Gonna Miss You” by Glen Campbell (2014) – 2 min 56 sec

 

In January of 2013, Glen Campbell recorded his final song. Because Glen was never able to play it live due to his battle with Alzheimers, his son Shannon decided to perform the song for his father in the attic of Campbell’s Nashville home.

“I’m Gonna Miss You (Glen Campbell Tribute)” by Shannon Campbell – 2 min 47 sec

 

Farewell Tour

This is a TV segment about him and his struggle with Alzheimer’s during his final tour.

“Glen Campbell Farewell” on CBS News Sunday Morning (Feb 2012) – 10 min 35 sec

 

Popular Songs

I have also included another playlist of Glen Campbell’s earlier music for you to enjoy. He made them all famous, although the first was written by John Hartford, the next three by Jimmy Webb, and the last one by Larry Weisse.

Glen Campbell (Playlist) – 5 songs, 15 min

 

Photo credit: I’ll Be Me Soundtrack @ Amazon