Remember When Keith Urban Jammed With Glen Campbell? [Watch]
Glen Campbell was one of Keith Urban's musical idols, so the superstar was thrilled when he got the chance to actually jam with the legendary guitarist and singer in 2009.
The two men made acoustic magic at Urban's Las Vegas gig during his Escape Together World Tour in June of 2009, when Urban called Campbell to the stage to join him for Campbell's classic hit, "Wichita Lineman."
Campbell recalled meeting Urban when he was still an up-and-coming musician during a trip to Australia and giving him the advice to always keep practicing — advice Urban admitted he was still following to that day, years into a successful career.
"He's the best in the world," Campbell lauded Urban.
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The two world-class singers and guitarists joined together for a cover of "Wichita Lineman" that features Urban strumming the unusual chords in complex voicings up the neck, while Campbell sings lead and breaks in for some tasteful lead guitar fills.
Urban adds some high harmonies to the song, and when Campbell breaks away for a guitar solo, it leaves Urban smiling and closing his eyes as he nods his head and strums along. He throws his head back and laughs before apologizing into the mic when he moves to the wrong chord briefly, throwing Campbell off momentarily. At the end Urban goes full-on fan as he grins and shouts, "Glen Campbell, ladies and gentlemen!"
Campbell died Tuesday (Aug. 8) after a long battle with Alzheimer's, and Urban turned to social media to share the icon's influence on him, as well as a sweet story about Campbell.
"The night I won my first country music award, I got back to my hotel room and there was a fax on the floor," he recalls. "'Welcome to the award winning world kid. You got it.' Glen Campbell."
"Universal music, universal stories, universal spirit. No wonder he was a global superstar," Urban adds. "I love Glen for so many reasons — but above all, for his humanity. My thoughts and prayers are with Kim and all of his extended family today. May peace be with you all. Go rest high on that mountain, Glen."
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