Saying Goodbye, Like Only Glen Campbell Can

22 Oct, 2014

What’s the first thing that you think of when you hear the name Glen Campbell: legendary guitarist, innovator, musician, and father? The list goes on. Now, what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Alzheimer’s disease? The two don’t seem to match, do they? After viewing a private screening of “Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me” at the Soho House Chicago I realized, in fact, they don’t.

Yes, Glen Campbell has Alzheimer’s disease as was announced to the world in 2011 as Campbell prepared to tour for his latest album. That tour turned into Campbell’s final ‘Goodbye Tour.” Filmmaker James Keach (Walk the Line) documented the tour that extended over two years and 151 shows. As if the decision to tour wasn’t remarkable enough, Keach managed to turn the subject of Alzheimer’s into an uplifting story of inspiration.

The audience is given a front row seat into the progression of the disease. While Campbell went through the highs and lows of Alzheimer’s, his banter and charm remained constant. The film combines personal medical details, moving performances and archive footage joined with interviews from Bruce Springsteen, Chad Smith, Kathy Mattea and the Edge, all whom have been directly affected by the disease.

“Campbell did for Alzheimer’s what Magic Johnson did for AIDS” Keach told The Trending Report. “He put a face on it.” While it’s Campbell’s plight that drives the film, it’s the commentary of his wife Kim and their three children who are part of the backup band that display the true story of Alzheimer’s. “They’re the real stars” Keach said “the caretakers.”

Through it all, music remained a constant for Campbell proving that it was in essence a part of him which undoubtedly solidifies him as one of the greats.

B. Owusu

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