Glen Campbell’s Goodbye Tour, which comes to the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown on Oct. 19, 2012, is nearing the end of the line.
In a few weeks, the man who recorded such crossover classics as Wichita Lineman, Galveston, Rhinestone Cowboy and By the Time I Get to Phoenix will call it a career. Alzheimer’s disease is taking its toll.
Glen’s ability to play scores of concerts since being diagnosed last year is incredible to anyone who has seen a loved one ravaged by this cruel, inexorable mind-wasting disease. Yet Glen’s daughter, Ashley Campbell, who plays banjo in her father’s band, tells MorristownGreen.com in this podcast that the intense touring schedule has been therapeutic for her dad.
“Sometimes he won’t remember how a song goes. But if you tell him or you remind him, it will all come right back to him. He just has trouble remembering the order and the chords and whatnot. But what’s amazing is we, and the doctors, think the touring and the constantly playing and being on his toes has actually been keeping him sharper and slowing the process of the disease for him. It’s keeping him with us a little longer.”
There have been anxious moments on stage. But there have been more highlights, Ashley says. The 25-year-old musician and improv actress was born long after Glen Campbell’s songs climbed the charts…after his Goodtime Hour was a TV hit…after he starred with John Wayne in True Grit..and after he was one of Hollywood’s hottest session guitarists, recording with Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley and touring with the Beach Boys.
She only can experience those things second-hand. But this tour has shown her the impact that her 76-year-old father–one of 12 children raised by an Arkansas sharecropper in the Depression– has made during more than a half-century in show business.
“It’s really amazing. It’s something I’ve never seen before. Because of his bravery, and going through what he’s going through, people are showing up in droves to support him… It’s just amazing to see how much love and respect people have for him.”
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The tour reviews have been positive. One of the curious things about Alzheimer’s–I have witnessed this in my family–is how it seems to go easier on the musical portion of the brain.
Glen also is fortunate to have three children–Ashley, Cal and Shannon–providing musical and moral support on stage.
A graduate of Pepperdine University, Ashley has garnered tons of YouTube views with her fictional, tongue-in-cheek American Idol character, Mary. And her music career got a boost from a sexy role in a Rascal Flatts music video, Banjo. Her dad’s advice about the biz?
“Always be yourself and do what you like, not what other people like, because at the end of the day, you’ve got to love what you’re doing,” Ashley recounts.
Sounds like a good plan for anyone with a legendary parent.
“You can’t really compare yourself to that kind of talent. Very few people in the world, in history, have ever been as talented as [Glen Campbell]. And I’m not biased at all! He’s just that good. He amazes me every day. You just can’t compare yourself. All you can do is do your best, and hopefully people will like it.”
Ashley says her family has been working to raise awareness and money for Alzheimer’s research; she hopes her father’s Goodbye Tour, and his very personal final album, Ghost on the Canvas, provide inspiration for everyone struggling with this “horrible epidemic,” which afflicts 5.4 million Americans.
As Glen Campbell valiantly tries to remember unforgettable songs, Ashley is making memories of her own.
“On stage sometimes he’ll just look over at me and smile. And it’s like he knows I’m there and he sends me so much love in that smile. Those are the moments I’m going to cherish, definitely.”
The Glen Campbell Goodbye Tour comes to the Mayo Performing Arts Center, at 100 South St. in Morristown, at 8 pm on Friday, Oct. 19, 2012. Tickets are $49-$89. Victoria Ghost, featuring Ashley and Shannon Campbell, will open. Call 973-539-8008 for more information.
I have always been a fan of Glen Campbell. Hearing him sing Friday night at the Morristown Theatre brough back so many memories. Thank you GC for your “Good Bye” tour to your fans. It was a wonderful show and you did not disappoint us………… To his children – God bless you for being there and supporting Dad. His memory may eventually disappear, but for now he is have a great time. What a wonderful legacy his is leaving.
It has been a great tour. Glen Campbell did this tour for the fans.As hard as it is for him and the family, we should respect this,and buy a friend a ticket to see him if they live close to the event. A special thank you to his family for helping him always be the best, we will always remember the Rhinestone Cowboy as he rides into the sunset.
Morristown concern on October 19 was fantastic – Victoria Ghost, Ashley’s group and Glenn were spot on. He performed an amazing, very eclectic collection of work, not only old and a few new songs but some Ray Charles and a spectacular banjo-guitar duo with Ashey on old Dueling Banjos. Highlight of the evening. YOU cannot ask for a braver, wonderful evening than we had last night.
I was a teeny-bopper fan of Glen Campbell starting at age eight, when his show was on and I became the proud owner of “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” (my first real record album). I was at his Morristown, NJ show at the Mayo PAC, and I was a little nervous about how things would go, He didn’t disappoint, though. He was in great voice, and his playing still makes me want to see Wichita and Galveston and Phoenix. Rock on, GC!! (and Victoria Ghost!)
My husband and I attended last nights performance at the State Theatre in New Brunswick. I have been a die hard fan of Glen Campbell since he sang on the Smothers Brothers show in the 60’s. Last night was the first time I have seen his live performance in at least 30 years. Watching him struggle with almost every song, literally, brought me to tears. He had about a half dozen monitors in front of him with the lyrics, which, I thought, was a wonderful idea. However, he needed to depend on them entirely as though he was singing Karaoke….. and just when it appeared as though he was on track with the correct song and words, what came out of his mouth was practically unintelligible.
It was such a sad and painful-to-watch performance of an extremely talented man. As we sat, watched and listened, my husband and I both agreed that, thankfully, the audience was filled with true, die-hard fans…. and because of that, every song performed was awarded a standing ovation and applauds that went on longer than what would typically be expected….. and the expression on Glens face, and, his children’s on stage, was priceless and overflowed with gratitude and acceptance of the absolute love bestowed upon this great artist. There were times I actually cringed with feared that a heckler might yell something rude & hurtful to this dear fragile man…. instead we heard “We Love You Glen!!”
With all this said, it is my opinion, and this opinion is from a long time true fan that followed and stayed with him through his Beach Boys days, his Tanya days, and all the rest leading up to last nights performance, is that it might be kinder to him and his family, to complete his GoodBye tour sooner, rather than later. Even now, the morning after last nights show, my heart is still hurting for Glenn Campbell and his family.
God Bless you Glen,
Kate
My friends, to whom I have sent this link, are thanking me profusely.
Music is transcendent.Music heals, music touches the soul– not briefyl but forevermore.
Geri
We witnessed Glen Campbell on stage in Little Rock Arkansas on Sept 6 2012. He was magnificent! We thought anything he sang was wonderful and just so magical. His art has brought his final tour much happiness to many folks especially my husband. We only wished we could have witnessed him playing Amazing Grace on the bagpipes !! Wonderful man!
Glen represents part of American history – his songs speak to our lives and part of America…have seen the Goodbye Tour twice – he is great even now as he faces life’s greatest challenge with an incredibly loving and supportive family around him.
God bless Glen Campbell and his family.
Glen you are the best entertainer of all time iny eyes. LOVED YOU THEN, LOVE YOU NOW, LOVE YOU TO ETERNITY. MUCH LOVE TO YOU. AND YOUR FAMILY.
….a great story….a fantastic talent and very courageous man. Grover