Glen Campbell ‘Has No Idea That He Has an Album Out,’ Daughter Says
Glen Campbell has just released the final album of his career, appropriately titled Adios. But in a heartbreaking new interview, his family admits his Alzheimer's has progressed to the point where he cannot comprehend anything about what's going on with the project.
"We don’t want to sugarcoat it," daughter Ashley Campbell tells the Boot. "He has no idea that he has an album out. He had no idea when he won a Grammy."
Campbell won a Grammy for Best Country Song in 2015 for "I'm Not Gonna Miss You," which he wrote and recorded about his Alzheimer's disease when he was still well enough to work. But in the time between the recording process and receiving the award, he had progressed to the point where he couldn't process winning.
"I handed him the Grammy when I brought it back to him, and he had no idea what it was," his wife Kim says. "But he listens to music, nonetheless. So we always play it for him."
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Adios consists of songs Campbell has always loved, but never recorded and released until now, including tunes from Bob Dylan, Roger Miller, Willie Nelson and Jimmy Webb. Nelson and Vince Gill also make guest appearances. The album was recorded before Campbell lost all of his higher functions.
Campbell revealed his Alzheimer's diagnosis in 2011, and when his musical skills began to decline, "A feeling of urgency grew to get him into the studio one last time to capture what magic was left. It was now or never," Kim Campbell tells People. "What you’re hearing when listening to Adios is the beautiful and loving culmination of friends and family doing their very best for the man who inspired, raised, and entertained them for decades -- giving him the chance to say one last goodbye to his fans, and put one last amazing collection of songs onto the record store shelves."
The album's release is somewhat bittersweet for Campbell's family, since he can't really grasp how it completes the circle of his career.
"I wouldn’t say closure, but I would definitely say 'accomplishment,'" Kim Campbell tells the Boot. "Glen contributed to society with his music, and now he’s raising awareness of Alzheimer’s. Both contributions are huge accomplishments, and having this album out brings all of this to the forefront of the discussion. We’re talking more and more about Alzheimer’s, and he’s bringing more music to everyone. It’s really satisfying, and I’m really proud of him."
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