Glen Campbell, titan of country music and master guitarist, dead at 81

Glen Campbell, a world-class, once-in-a-generation music virtuoso whose instrument just happened to be guitar and whose native style was radio-friendly country & western, has died. He was 81.

Campbell died at his Nashville, Tennessee, home after a long bout with Alzheimer's. His death was confirmed on his personal website and confirmed by his publicist.

Cambell's biggest hit -- "Rhinestone Cowboy" -- does not even begin to define the scope of his works and place in popular music of all kinds. He was an original member of the Wrecking Crew, the no-name music all-stars whose sterling session work stood in for all kinds of popular musicians in the 1960s, from the Beach Boys to the Monkees, Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.

But perfect fretboard diction and the ability to play literally anything on sight would only be the foundation of a superstar career that spanned decades, establishing him as one of the premiere singers, songwriters, jingle-men, session players, television personalities -- and along the way, collaborators -- of all-time, in any genre.

Campbell didn't write most of his hits, and most of the hits he wrote he didn't perform. His was a generation that was constantly swapping ideas, playing in one another's bands, being swiftly called upon to sit in on one another's sessions. And no one was as aces on guitar as Campbell, who could pick flashy licks with the best of them, but whose power rest in his perfect tone and elegant touch.

Over 50 years in show business, Campbell sold 45 million records across 70 albums -- 12 gold, four platinum and one double-platinum -- and had 80 hits on several Billboard charts, including nine that went to No. 1.

Besides "Rhinestone Cowboy," his biggest hits included "Gentle on My Mind," "By the Time I get to Phoenix," "Galveston," "Southern Nights" (which was just featured on the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 soundtrack) and the haunting, multifaceted "Wichita Lineman."

In 1967, Campbell made history by winning four Grammy Awards in both country and pop music categories. He later hosted his own show on CBS, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, from 1969 to 1972, and appeared in the original version of True Grit.

But Campbell's legacy will be his many songs with everyman ease, instantly recognizable tunes that sound so simple -- until you try to play and sing them.

Campbell was married four times and had eight children along the way. His family released the following statement on Tuesday:

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and legendary singer and guitarist, Glen Travis Campbell, at the age of 81, following his long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. Glen is survived by his wife, Kim Campbell of Nashville, TN; their three children, Cal, Shannon and Ashley; his children from previous marriages, Debby, Kelli, Travis, Kane, and Dillon; ten grandchildren, great- and great-great-grandchildren; sisters Barbara, Sandra, and Jane; and brothers John Wallace “Shorty” and Gerald.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Glen Campbell Memorial Fund at BrightFocus Foundation through the CareLiving.org donation page.