Artists React to Glen Campbell's Passing

Legendary singer and guitarist Glen Campbell, whose six-decade career spawned more than 70 albums, nine Grammy Awards and a beloved network television show that helped bring country music to the masses, died on Tuesday, Aug. 8, following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Campbell’s family announced the news on his official website. He was 81.

Born on April 22, 1936, near Delight, Ark., Campbell began learning how to play the guitar at the age of 4, quitting school in his teens to join his uncle’s band, Dick Bills and the Sandia Mountain Boys, in Albuquerque, N.M., in 1954.

In 1960, he moved to Los Angeles and became the lead guitarist for the Champs, who had landed a No. 1 hit two years earlier with the song “Tequila”. After a few months, Campbell found a job with publishing company American Music writing songs and recording demos, a gig that would lead to him becoming a part of the Wrecking Crew, a group of studio musicians that played behind the likes of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, the Beach Boys, Merle Haggard, the Monkees and Phil Spector.

In 1962, Campbell was signed by Capitol Records, where he would issue some of his biggest songs to date, including “Gentle on My Mind”, “Rhinestone Cowboy”, “By the Time I Get to Phoenix”, “Wichita Lineman”, “Southern Nights” and “Galveston”.

Two of those tracks – “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Southern Nights” – went on to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Campbell’s versatility transferred to the big and small screen, as well. He appeared in the movies True Grit with John Wayne and Norwood with Joe Namath, in addition to hosting his acclaimed weekly variety show that bridged country and pop, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, from January 1969 through June 1972.

There is no doubt that Campbell, who was influenced by the likes of Chet Atkins, Hank Garland and Django Reinhardt, inspired countless guitarists that followed him.

To celebrate his lasting memory, countless artists took to social media to express their emotions. Here is a roundup of heartfelt sentiments:

Brian Wilson

Embedded content: https://twitter.com/BrianWilsonLive/status/895041138125668352

Peter Frampton

Embedded content: https://twitter.com/peterframpton/status/895022666960130048

Dolly Parton

Embedded content: https://twitter.com/DollyParton/status/895031275588919298

Alan Jackson

Embedded content: https://twitter.com/OfficialJackson/status/895070692978196480

Neil Perry

Embedded content: https://twitter.com/theneilperry/status/895037026562523136

Tim McGraw

Embedded content: https://twitter.com/TheTimMcGraw/status/895037438120402944

Blake Shelton

Embedded content: https://twitter.com/blakeshelton/status/895028028832612354