Glen Campbell Reveals He Has Alzheimer's

(ABCNEWS.com)

 

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Country music icon Glen Campbell has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, the singer and his wife revealed Wednesday, prompting the "Rhinestone Cowboy" to plan a farewell tour.

"Glen is still an awesome guitar player and singer," the musician's wife, Kim Campbell, told People magazine. "But if he flubs a lyric or gets confused onstage, I wouldn't want people to think, 'What's the matter with him? Is he drunk?'"

Campell goes on tour this fall to support what his website touts as his final studio album, called "Ghost on the Canvas".

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Campbell, 75, was diagnosed six months ago with the degenerative disease.

Alzheimer's symptoms typically surface when a person is in their late 70s and early 80s. By age 85, 30 to 50 percent of adults show signs of the disease.

Campbell's career spans five decades. He's had 81 songs on the charts and has made his mark on music history with such hits as "Rhinestone Cowboy" and "Galveston."

Even though he said he's coming to terms with his disease, Campbell said he wanted to embark on one final tour for his fans, to say thanks.

"I still love performing for my fans," he said. "I'd like to thank them for sticking with me through thick and thin."