Singer Glen Campbell has died at 81 following “a long and courageous battle” with Alzheimer’s disease.
His family released a statement saying: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather.”
Campbell died today around 10am local time in Nashville, Tennessee at a facility for Alzheimer’s patients according to his publicist Sandy Brokaw.
Campbell announced his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2011 and is survived by his eight children.
The legendary guitarist was a self-taught prodigy who rose from a poverty-stricken upbringing in Arkansas to go on to sell 45 million records.
He is best known for his 1975 hit Rhinestone Cowboy and released more than 70 albums during his 50-year career.
Campbell had 12 gold albums, 75 chart hits and co-starred with John Wayne in the original True Grit.
He was also star of the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour from 1969 to 1972 and had a weekly audience of around 50 million.
Campbell’s celebrity fans have taken to social media to express their sadness at losing one of country music’s greats.