Pop Music Muse 12/10/2021: Glen “Gentle on My Mind” Campbell

December 9, 2021

Let’s take a brief look at one of the most prolific and gifted entertainers in the music industry: Glen Travis Campbell, guitarist, singer, songwriter, actor, and television host. He released 64 albums in a career that spanned 50 years, selling more that 45 million records around the world. Born in Billstown, Arkansas, in 1936, he moved to LA in his 20s, and cut his first single in 1961.

Glen was the seventh of 12 children. He learned to play guitar when he was four. His family lived on a farm where they picked cotton. After moving to New Mexico, Glen went to Hollywood where he joined the red-hot instrumental group The Champs, and soon thereafter became a valued session musician, joining Capital Records in 1962. As part of the Wrecking Crew, he recorded for Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, and even briefly became one when Brian stopped touring in 1964. Glen was awarded a Brian Wilson composition:

It didn’t chart in 1965, but it was a big career step for not only Glen, but for Brian as well. As a session guitarist, in one year alone Glen either sang on or played on 500 tracks, recording with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. And he couldn’t read a lick of music. He soon had a hit as a vocalist with a protest song written by Buffy Sainte-Marie, a song also recorded by Donovan:

Glen continued to busy himself in the studio for the next two years, as well as making various appearances on TV, including the rock show Shindig. In summer 1967, he heard a song that would change his life, and his career. The tune was composed by folkie John Hartford, and it’s a good thing that Glen and John connected, because Capitol was considering dropping Glen from the label:

The success of Gentle On My Mind led to incredible collaborations with other prolific songwriters, one of whom turned out to be Phoenix-born Jimmy Webb, who would provide many songs to Glen in the ensuing years. It was one of the best musical pairings ever. They met at a recording for a Chevrolet commercial. Jimmy wrote it—”Chevy loves the road”—and Glen was going to sing it. Their relationship blossomed, even though Glen was rather straight looking and conservative, and Webb was long-haired and liberal.     

Glen won four Grammy awards for Phoenix and Gentle on My Mind. Meanwhile he was still in the studio recording the works of others. Glen helped a slew of other artists, including Brian Wilson with Pet Sounds and Bruce Johnston with Sagittarius. But his real focus now was on his singing and acting career. Jimmy Webb was asked if he could write a follow-up to Phoenix. They needed something geographical, so Jimmy came up with Wichita Lineman. Glen wanted to use Jimmy’s funky old organ in the song, so they hauled it down to the studio. Glen also added one final guitar part that sounded twangy, like Duane Eddy.

Lineman would expose Glen as a very successful crossover artist, reaching high spots on pop, country, and adult contemporary charts as well. In 1969 the Smothers Brothers were looking for someone to fill in their summer replacement show, and they chose Glen to host it. The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour was soon a hit, and Glen’s popularity went through the roof all over the world. His timing couldn’t have been better. Lineman was at the top of the charts, and his next single was about to join it:

The Goodtime Hour lasted from 1969 to 1972. Because of his session work, Glen attracted some of the biggest musical stars to his show, including the Beatles (on film), Johnny Cash, the Monkees, and Neil Diamond. He also helped launch the careers of Anne Murray and Jerry Reed. During this time, Glen was also involved in movies, starring in True Grit with John Wayne and later in Norwood. He received an Academy Award nomination for Elmer Bernstein’s title song True Grit. 

The success of his singles in the late sixties started to wane into the seventies. Despite this and the cancellation of his TV hour, Glen continued his many appearances on television, hosting a number of TV specials. He also continued his work in the studio, as a guitarist and as a singer. One of his biggest hits at the time was an old Conway Twitty number: 

His next major milestone came when he needed it most. In 1975, while on tour in Australia, Glen heard a song performed by a fellow named Larry Weiss. He rushed into the studio and recorded it. It became his largest selling single, and one of his best-known recordings. It firmly established his legendary status:

A follow-up record sounding just like Cowboy also was produced by newcomers Brian Potter and Dennis Lambert, and almost made the top ten as well. 

It was recorded in Hollywood, but used different musicians who were in the Wrecking Crew. Glen was becoming a master of the crossover hit. His last number one song was written by New Orleans maestro Allen Toussaint:

The guitar lick intro to the song was created by songwriter Jimmy Webb and guitarist Jerry Reed. It was the most-played jukebox number of 1977. But it would be Glen’s sunset song. Cowboy was so impactful that it continues to be used in TV shows and films today. Along with Southern Nights, many feel this period is the recording pinnacle of Glen’s career (although just as many would make the argument for his late-sixties output). By 1980 Glen’s life began to sour. He was having problems with drugs and alcohol, and he allegedly had a torrid affair with country star Tanya Tucker. He overcame all the challenges he faced, and continued to be heralded as one of the greatest men of country music. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2010, he went public with it. He toured with his children in his backup band, and ended his goodbye tour in Napa in 2012. in January 2013, He recorded his final song from the documentary I’ll Be Me:

His final album, Adios (written by Jimmy Webb), was recorded in 2012 but not released until five years later. Glen left behind four marriages, fathering six sons and three daughters.