glen campbell i’ll be me

Glen Campbell (from his website)

The trending musical topic of today is the heartfelt documentary, “Glen Campbell, I’ll Be Me” that aired on CNN last night.

It was an insight on the performer’s struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease and what it is like for his loved ones. It was very sad to watch. I agree with Glen’s wife that this is probably the worst way to die.

I was one of the fortunate ones who saw Glen’s last tour in 2012. Please visit my blog: https://maryannemistretta.wordpress.com/2012/05/27/getting-cards-and-letters-and-blogs-from-people-i-dont-even-know/

Noted below are some of the highlights from the show I mentioned in the blog, but to get the full gist of the show, I highly recommend clicking the link above.

2012 Farewell Tour Highlights

Glen hit the stage and began with “Gentle on My Mind.” He was forgetting lyrics from the get-go and had to restart the song.

The best things about the show were: #1, Glen Campbell, at age 78, is still a wonderful showman. This was the first time I ever saw him and he really commands the stage and has a great presence. He still looks good and healthy, in spite of having Alzheimer’s. God bless his soul.

#2, Glen can still play the guitar. And unless you’re a musician or have a really good ear, you may not even realize he was playing the wrong key. (Most of the time I didn’t, but one song it was very obvious and his daughter, Ashley, kept helping him out and mouthing the right key to him).

#3, To hear so many songs that I love and have loved since I was a little girl, performed right before me by a legend gave me thrills throughout the night. I screamed like a teenager throughout the show. Even though he did many hits, including “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Southern Nights” I have to say my all time favorite Glen Campbell song is — and always will be — “Galveston.”

My love and prayers to his family during this trying time.

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta is the author of “On the Guest List: Adventures of a Music Journalist” and “Love Cats” — both available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/162903908X