Rhinestone Cowboy singer to play farewell city gig

The Evening News can reveal that country singing legend Glen Campbell has extended his farewell tour to include Edinburgh.

The Grammy and Dove Award-winning singer, who is suffering from dementia, is set to retire after his current tour and has not played in Edinburgh for more than 20 years.

Campbell said: “I’m coming back to perform in Edinburgh – where I have had the pleasure of touring before – for my final tour.

“I’m thrilled to be returning. The audience was wonderful on my previous tour and I felt right at home.

“They made me feel appreciated.”

Campbell was recently diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, which affects his short-term memory. Despite his memory loss, Campbell remains able to sing and play, and promoters assured fans that he will perform in the same professional manner that he always has.

Mark Mackie, director of music promoter Regular Music, said: “He will be doing the same top-notch show that his fans have come to expect.”

Famed for such hits as Rhinestone Cowboy, Wichita Lineman and Gentle on My Mind, his career as a singer and notable guitarist spans five decades and includes having his own television show and a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

On November 7, he is set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 45th Country Music Association Awards held in Nashville.

Mr Mackie added: “It is fantastic to welcome such a huge country music legend to the Festival Theatre.

“Glen is a true legend. I’m sure that this will be a very emotional evening but also a great way of celebrating the career of this great man.”

During his 50 years in showbusiness, Campbell has released more than 70 albums, sold 45 million records and racked up 12 gold albums, four platinum albums and a double- platinum album.

He has toured the UK 15 times and drawn sold-out crowds around the world. In 1967, he made history by winning a Grammy in both country and pop categories, with Gentle on My Mind taking the country honours and By the Time I Get To Phoenix winning in the pop category. In 1969, he was hand-picked by actor John Wayne to play his young side-kick in the film True Grit, which won him a Golden Globe nomination for Most Promising Newcomer while Wayne was presented with his only Academy Award.

The singer had a hit with the film’s title song, which was nominated for an Academy Award and he performed it live at that year’s Oscars show.

Campbell, who celebrated his 75th birthday in April, intends to retire from entertainment next year, at the end of his current tour and with the release of a new acoustic greatest hits album.

His Edinburgh fans will get their chance to say farewell at the Festival Theatre, Nicolson Street on Sunday, November 20. Tickets costing £30-£32.50 go on sale at 9.30am on Monday online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk, and by phone from 0131-529 6000.