This article will probably deeply stir some people. Some of you will cry. It’s about a person that many know well but younger people very well may have no idea about. But the meaning of the article and the song that is featured at the end is universal for young and old.
Glen Campbell used to be a studio musician. Studio musicians, the good ones, are considered the elite of music by band members and superstars alike. They can make good songs great when they’re being recorded. In his youth, Campbell was one of those studio musician gods and he was sought out by the likes of Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. He played a fantastic guitar.
Later, he became a superstar in his own right when he started cutting his own records and performing live. He had tons of hits, became an actor and was a regular on the talk show circuit. He was as fast talking and articulate as a motor mouthed disc jockey and seemed to enjoy the hell out of life.
In a career spanning over 50 years, Campbell made millions, fooled around a lot on the women in his life, abused the hell out of alcohol and drugs and was said to have committed domestic violence during his on and off relationship with country music star, Tanya Tucker. She was 21, he was 45 and they both liked cocaine.
Campbell got his personal life on track a time or two keeping away from drugs and alcohol but he struggled becoming whole but is said to have been clean and sober during the last decade or so.
I was never a big fan of Campbell but I did like some of his songs and enjoyed his infectious and friendly personality. And as far as his boozing, cocaine use and crazy life here and there, I don’t judge him at all. We all try and get our lives true and whole.
And this is what this article is really about. Life and trying to find ourselves. Read further and listen to the song at the end and you’ll see what I mean.
In 2011, Campbell announced that he was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Shortly thereafter, Campbell embarked on a worldwide tour with his musician daughter who helped him on stage when he faltered. In April 2013, Campbell announced plans to retire from touring, citing the progression of his Alzheimer’s disease.
Just recently, it was announced that Campbell was placed into a 24-hour care facility because he was in the sixth stage of Alzheimer’s (‘severe cognitive decline”). Furthermore, the last song that he ever recorded which was while he was in the mid-stages of Alzheimer’s, has just been released. It’s called “I’m Not Going to Miss You”.
He sings frankly about his condition, his loves, life and his future. He sings with honesty and reality not often heard. He sings the words that will touch many of us. During one part he sings, “I never did find who I am.”
Campbell also sings that “he’s not going to miss you”. See what he means by that and see the sometime sad reality of life, illness and death. And if there is a moral in his song it is that if you are still searching for yourself, find it, now. There may not be a tomorrow.
Here’s the song and music video: http://radio.com/2014/10/10/glen-campbell-im-not-gonna-miss-you-final-song-video/
Best of luck to Mr. Glen Campbell.
Steve's a three-time survivor of violence in his youth, a former police supervisor and a graduate of The Police Executive Leadership College (PELC) and was also an award winning part-time college Criminal Justice instructor.
For several years, Steve did written and radio political and current event commentary and was the former host of the long running 'The Kovacs Perspective' Internet radio and TV talk show.
Steve presently owns a small businesses in Ohio--The Mayfield Academy of Self-Defense.
- The Teacher from the Past—A True Story - March 11, 2024
- How To Survive and Safely Enjoy Hiking in the Woods - September 1, 2023
- Winter in America—Thin Blue Line and Do Something - February 6, 2023
