'Rhinestone Cowboy' singer Glen Campbell has died at the age of 81 after "a long and courageous battle" with Alzheimer's disease.
Glen Campbell at the 2012 CMT Music awards. Photo: AFP
"It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather," a statement from his family said.
The legendary guitarist announced his Alzheimer's diagnosis in 2011.
A self-taught prodigy, he rose from an impoverished childhood in Arkansas to sell 45 million records.
In 1968 he outsold the Beatles in the US.
His indelible voice and expert guitar playing were behind such hits as 'Rhinestone Cowboy', 'Wichita Lineman' and 'Galveston'.
Campbell began his career as a session musician in Los Angeles with the famous Wrecking Crew and appeared on countless songs including the Byrds' 'Mr. Tambourine Man', Elvis Presley's 'Viva Las Vegas', and the Righteous Brothers' 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling'.
Earlier this year, he released his final studio album Adios.
Campbell was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005.
- BBC