Country music icon Glen Campbell dies aged 81

The legendary country singer has died following battle with Alzheimer’s.

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Glen Campbell, the country music star who had a string of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, has died.

The music icon had ben battling Alzheimer’s disease, which he had announced publicly in 2011. He was 81.

A statement from the family said: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather."

A self-taught musician and songwriter, the Arkansas-born Campbell went on to sell 45 million records across 70 albums and amassed nine Grammy awards.

His best known hits include 1975's Rhinestone Cowboy, Honey Come Back (1970) and All I Have To Do Is Dream, released in 1969. 

He also made a foray into acting, most notably in the film True Grit alongside John Wayne.

In June this year, Campbell's final album, Adios, was released, featuring twelve songs from his final 2012-13 sessions. It reached Number 3 on the Official UK Albums Chart. 

MORE: View Glen Campbell full Official UK Chart history

Campbell also embarked on a final tour during that period of sessions, which ended in 2012. This period was filmed for the 2014 documentary Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me. The film featured the last song Campbell recorded, titled I’m Not Gonna Miss You, which was written about Campbell’s struggle with Alzheimer’s.

Music stars have been paying tribute to the singer on social media, including Sheryl Crow, Ringo Starr and Dolly Parton, who said Campbell had "one of the greatest voices of all time". Watch her video message and more below:

Article image: Rex

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I Am A Stegosaurus

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Don't know what makes him 'legendary' but RIP man. The death toll sadly increases

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AcerBen

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He practically invented pop music. Do your research.

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I Am A Stegosaurus

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Pretty sure that was the Beatles