I grew up listening to Glen Campbell. My dad would play Campbell's music on an old open reel player (back then, an open reel was the platform which predated cassettes). My dad was big on making collections on tape. One, which he called Open Reel #8, featured a myriad of country legends including Gordon Lightfoot, Dolly Parton and Glen Campbell. I'll never forget Campbell's sorrowful voice on tracks like "Rhinestone Cowboy," "Galveston," "It's Only Make Believe" and my personal favorite "If These Walls Could Speak."
 
While Campbell's catalogue consists of cowboy anthems and break-up songs, he also shared his faith through his music. In 1989, he released his Favorite Hymns album. It includes "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and "I Surrender All." In an interview with Cross Rhythms, Campbell said: "I love singing gospel music and hymns. Being a Christian, I love to tell people about Christ and what he's done for me and can do for them."  

In the last 10 years of his career, Campbell covered more recent hits. You should hear his country rendition of Green Day's "Good Riddance (The Time of Your Life)." But, the curtain is finally falling on his long illustrious career. In 2011, Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. This news rocked his music fans, young and old. He was able to complete his official farewells in early 2017, and on August 8, 2017, he went home to be with the Jesus he sang about.

Campbell's grand finale included a Goodbye Tour and "I'll Be Me," a heart-felt documentary that chronicles both the tour and his Alzheimer's diagnosis. My dad and I, along with my uncle who was also a long-time Glen Campbell fan, watched the documentary on television. The legendary Campbell, who, at this point, had already been affected by Alzheimer's, reflected on his career and family life. His children, along with singer Ashley Campbell, shared the impact their father had on their lives growing up. 

From a fan's perspective, my dad and uncle shared their personal memories and experiences with Campbell's music. This is where I gained a whole new appreciation for the legend.

The documentary's soundtrack included the very sad "I'm Not Going to Miss You." Campbell didn't take an upbeat approach, but instead chose a break-up song, a farewell message to family, friends and fans. Campbell sings: "You're the last person I will love / You're the last face I will recall / And best of all, I'm not gonna miss you." The piece won a Grammy Award for Country Song of the Year.
 
Ashley Campbell, the legend's daughter, wrote and sang "Remembering," a tear jerking tribute to her father. "Bone for bone we are the same / Bones get tired and they can't carry all the weight / We can talk until you can't even remember my name / Daddy, don't you worry / I'll do the remembering." For those who have ever lost a family member due to Alzheimer's or another neurodegenerative disease, this song will tug at your heartstrings. It did for me.

After the tour came to a close, Campbell returned to the studio to record Adios, his last studio album. Similar to the documentary and tour, the collection contained messages filled with heartbreak and poignancy.

In April 2017, the country star released the album's title track as the lead single. Songwriter Jimmy Web, Campbell's long-time friend and collaborator, penned the track. The 81-year-old Campbell gave it his all on "Adios," which is also the album's closing number.

Glen Campbell leaves behind an incredible legacy for the music industry. He leaves behind inspiration that both current and future artists can draw from when composing and performing future singles and albums. Thanks, Glen, for the legacy. We will always remember you.