Glen Campbell

It’s hard to believe Glen Campbell started out as a studio musician given the legacy of music he left behind as a solo artist. But after playing on recordings for Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, the Beach Boys, and many others, he was signed to Crest Records in 1961 before Capitol Records snapped him up in 1962. 

Over the course of his career, Campbell recorded 60 studio albums. Although his debut, Big Bluegrass Special, arrived in 1962, it wasn’t until he released Gentle on My Mind and By the Time I Get to Phoenix, both in 1967, that he began garnering both critical and commercial success.

‘Gentle on My Mind’ won the ACM Award for Single of the Year and Album of the Year, as well as the Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. In fact, 1967 was a banner year for Campbell at the Grammys. ‘By the Time I Get to Phoenix’ also won for Best Male Vocal Performance. Campbell would go on to release nearly 30 songs that hit the top 10 on a variety of Billboard’s charts: Country, Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary. 

Beyond his music, Campbell hosted The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour beginning in 1969. The show featured music and comedy alongside famous guest stars, and helped make him an international star.

Campbell was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. He passed away in Nashville at the age of 81.