Glen Campbell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Glen Campbell
Campbell in 1967
Born	Glen Travis Campbell (1936-04-22)April 22, 1936 Billstown, Arkansas, U.S.
Died	August 8, 2017(2017-08-08) (aged 81) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Occupation	Singer guitarist songwriter television host actor
Years active	1958–2013
Spouse(s)	Diane Marie Kirk ​ ​ (m. 1955; div. 1959)​ Billie Jean Nunley ​ ​ (m. 1959; div. 1976)​ Sarah Barg Davis ​ ​ (m. 1976; div. 1980)​ Kimberly Woollen ​ (m. 1982)​
Children	8
Musical career
Genres	Country Western folk pop easy listening gospel soft rock
Instruments	Vocals Guitar Banjo Bagpipes
Labels	Capitol Atlantic MCA Liberty Surfdog Records New Haven
Associated acts	The Champs The Beach Boys Bobbie Gentry Anne Murray John Hartford Jerry Reed Tanya Tucker Jimmy Webb

Glen Travis Campbell (born April 22, 1936 – died August 8, 2017) was a famous American musician, singer, and actor. He was known for his amazing guitar skills and his many hit songs, especially in country and pop music.

Glen Campbell's Early Life

Glen Travis Campbell was born on April 22, 1936. He grew up in a small place called Billstown, Arkansas. He was one of 12 children in his family. His family lived on a farm and worked hard to grow crops like cotton and corn.

Glen started playing the guitar when he was only four years old. His dad gave him a five-dollar guitar, and his uncle taught him how to play. Most of his family loved music, and everyone would play and sing together. By the time he was six, he was already performing on local radio stations!

Glen kept practicing his guitar as he grew up. He didn't have formal lessons but learned by listening to music on the radio and records. He thought Django Reinhardt was an amazing guitarist. When he was 14, he left school to work with his brothers.

But Glen really wanted to play music. He started performing at fairs and church picnics. He also sang gospel songs in the church choir. After his parents moved to Houston, he even played at a local nightclub.

In 1954, when he was 17, Glen moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. He joined his uncle's band there. In 1958, he started his own band called the Western Wranglers. They played music almost every night.

Glen Campbell's Music Career

Glen Campbell became famous for his country music songs. But before he became a solo star, he was a talented guitar player. He played guitar on many rock and pop songs for other artists. For example, he played on "Mary, Mary" by The Monkees. He even joined The Beach Boys for a short time when Brian Wilson was sick.

Glen also became a television star. He appeared on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Later, he got his own TV show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour.

He had many popular songs, including "Galveston," "By The Time I Get to Phoenix," and "Wichita Lineman." Many of his biggest hits were written by Jimmy Webb. In 1975, his song "Rhinestone Cowboy" became a huge success. It was so popular that clothes covered in shiny "rhinestones" became a fashion trend!

After "Rhinestone Cowboy," Glen had more hits like "Country Boy (You Got Your Feet in L. A.)". His career slowed down in the late 1970s. However, he later returned to recording music and appearing on television. In the 1990s, people became interested in his music again. His songs are still loved by fans today.

In 2011, Glen announced that he had Alzheimer's disease. He released his last album that year. He finished his final concert tour in November 2012.

Later Years and Passing

Glen Campbell passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, on August 8, 2017. He was 81 years old. He was buried in his family's cemetery in Billstown, Arkansas.

In 2020, his wife, Kim Campbell, wrote a book about their life together. It was called Gentle on My Mind: In Sickness and in Health with Glen Campbell.

Glen Campbell's Family Life

Glen Campbell was married four times and had eight children. His children include Deborah Kay "Debby," Kelli Glen, William Travis, Wesley Kane, Dillon, Cal, Shannon, and Ashley.

His three youngest children, Cal, Shannon, and Ashley, even joined him on stage. They were part of his touring band starting in 2010.

Related pages

• Carl Frederick Tandberg, his bass player

Awards and Honors

Grammy Awards

Academy of Country Music

American Music Awards

• 1976: Favorite Pop/Rock Single – "Rhinestone Cowboy"
• 1976: Favorite Country Single – "Rhinestone Cowboy"
• 1977: Favorite Country Album – Rhinestone Cowboy

Country Music Association Awards

• 1968: Entertainer of the Year
• 1968: Male Vocalist of the Year
• 2017: Musical Event of the Year – "Funny How Time Slips Away" with Willie Nelson

GMA Dove Awards

• 1986: Album by a Secular Artist – No More Night
• 1992: Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year – "Where Shadows Never Fall"
• 2000: Country Album of the Year – A Glen Campbell Christmas

Other Honors

• 1968: Music Operators of America (MOA) Awards – Artist of the Year
• 1970: Golden Globe Award nomination for Best New Star of the Year - Actor in the movie "True Grit"
• 1974: Country Music Association of Great Britain's Entertainer of the Year
• 2005: Country Music Hall of Fame induction
• 2008: Q Legend Award
• 2012: Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. Career Achievement Award
• 2014: Hollywood Music in Media Awards Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2014: Academy Award nomination for "I'm Not Gonna Miss You" (co-writer)
• 2018: Arkansas Country Music Awards – Lifetime Achievement Award

Images for kids

• 

  Campbell performing at the Michigan State Fair, c. 1970

• 

  Campbell performing in Texas, January 2004

See also

In Spanish: Glen Campbell para niños