A pop and country singer-musician, and occasional lead actor, Glen Campbell was something of a child prodigy; he began playing guitar and singing on local radio at age 6. He joined a band at age 15, and later formed his own group. In 1967 he hit the big time with his mega-popular songs "Gentile on My Mind" and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," leading to a starring role on his own TV variety show The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, which in turn led to roles in several films. He was first onscreen in a bit role in The Cool Ones (1967). He would make appearances in a handful of films over the years, like Any Which Way You Can and Uphill All the Way.
Glen Campbell
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Factsheet
- One of 12 children.
- Received his first guitar at age 4.
- Began playing in country bands at 14.
- Left school at 16 to pursue music full-time.
- Formed his own band, the Western Wranglers, at age 18.
- Moved to L.A. in the late 1950s to become a studio musician.
- Briefly joined the Champs, best known for their hit "Tequila."
- Became part of the famed "Wrecking Crew"—a group of session musicians who played on many Phil Spector sessions.
- Released his first single, "Turn Around, Look at Me," in 1961. One of the people who heard it on the radio: a 14-year-old Jimmy Webb, who would go on to write many of Campbell's classic hits.
- Became a touring member of the Beach Boys after Brian Wilson retired from the road in 1965, but decided against joining them full-time.
- Had his big breakthrough in 1967 with "Gentle on My Mind" and the Webb-penned "By the Time I Get to Phoenix."
- Scored five No. 1 country hits ("I Wanna Live," "Wichita Lineman," "Galveston," "Rhinestone Cowboy" and "Southern Nights") and two No. 1 pop hits ("Rhinestone Cowboy," "Southern Nights") during his career.
- Published his autobiography, Rhinestone Cowboy, in 1994.
- Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005.
- Had his own theater in Branson, MO.
- Announced in 2011 that he had Alzheimer's disease.