Glen Campbell’s family says one final goodbye, but not all tributes are welcomed
Published 3:30 pm Friday, September 1, 2017
The Rhinestone Cowboy rode away on Aug. 8 after a years-long and publicly documented battle with Alzheimer’s disease, but the story is far from over for Glen Campbell and the people who loved him.
Tributes for the iconic singer continue to pour in from a variety of performers including Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton and even Guns N’ Roses, but there is one that may have hit a sour note with Campbell’s widow Kim Campbell.
According to media reports, Kim Campbell has privately expressed her displeasure with Glen’s former flame, Tanya Tucker, and a song Tucker co-wrote about the country legend. Tucker and Campbell had a tumultuous, short-lived relationship in the early ’80s – and apparently Kim Campbell would prefer to keep it in the past.
Tucker has been very visible talking about Alzheimer’s, her relationship with Campbell and promoting the song “Forever Loving You” on the “Today” show and other media outlets. According to sources close to Kim Campbell, she feels Tucker’s tribute is “callous and disrespectful,” especially since she claims that Tucker hasn’t been in close contact with Campbell for more than 35 years.
Tucker has said that she sees the song as an opportunity to advance a national dialogue about Alzheimer’s. Tucker also said she intends to donate proceeds from the recording to aid Alzheimer’s research and ease the strain on caregivers and families.
Meanwhile, many people are still grieving the passing of the Country Music Hall of Fame member.
Family and friends joined together for one last goodbye to the iconic singer on Aug. 24, during a memorial service in Nashville. And while the ceremony was private, one of his daughters shared a pic from the somber event. “We had a lovely memorial service today for my dad,” Ashley Campbell captioned the photo. “I’m so thankful to have such a wonderful, loving family.”
Billboard offered a glimpse into the invitation-only ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CMA Theater featuring numerous music legends who attended and performed. They included Brad Paisley, who sang a medley of Campbell’s hits, and members of the Beach Boys, who performed “I Get Around” (which Campbell had played on in the studio). Steve Wariner offered up a version of “Gentle on My Mind,” Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman sang “I Will Be Here,” and the moving service also included Campbell’s poignant farewell song, “I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” performed by songwriter/producer Julian Raymond.
On Aug. 25, Kim Campbell shared with fans the heartfelt eulogy she delivered at that service. “On the day I lost Glen, I felt like I was in total darkness,” Kim Campbell said. “In the weeks since, I’ve been searching for that new light to emerge from the other side.”
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