One of musics most-versatile performers has lost the battle with Alzheimers;  Glen Campbell died this morning at the age of 81.  According to his official website and social media site, he died surrounded by his family.

Glen Campbell was an entertainer - in both the country and pop worlds:  singer, guitarist, songwriter, movie actor, television host, and a pretty decent golfer.  He got his start in the early 1960's as a studio session guitarist - playing on some of the biggest hits of the day.  Later, he filled in for a while as a touring member of the Beach Boys.  Along the way he developed a solo career that spanned both the country and pop charts - racking up more than 80 chart hits - 29 hitting the top ten.  Perhaps his biggest hit was 1975's "Rhinestone Cowboy" - a song that peaked at number one on both charts.

In the late 1960's he got a break as the summer replacement for the Smother's Brothers variety show - hosting his own Glen Campbell's Goodtime Hour for 3 years.

While he was a master at his craft, Campbell did have demons.  Four marriages, broken homes, and stormy affairs followed his career during the 1970's.  One of the marriages was to Mac Davis' ex-wife;  Mac and Glen were golfing friends and Mac accused Glen of stealing his wife from him.

Glen was also romantically linked to country singer Tanya Tucker in a stormy tabloid-affair;  she was 23 years younger than him and trashed hotel rooms and cocaine fed the worst of both of their personalities.  Tucker made news last year when she requested to visit Glen one last time - calling him the "love of her life";  Campbell's current wife Kim declined the visit.

Glen Campbell will be remembered as one of the true icons of the music business.

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