Country Music Legend Too Ill For Final Gigs

Rhinestone Cowboy singer Glen Campbell is ill to perform the last of his farewell tour.

Country music legend Glen Campbell cancelled his farewell tour of Australia and New Zealand next month to his worsening health.

The 76--old Rhinestone Cowboy singer battling Alzheimer's disease and a spokeswoman said he was not to "the very long flight that it would require".

It would been Campbell's last international stop his Goodbye Tour. He was due to play six shows next month Kenny Rogers and one solo performance Brisbane, Australia.

Campbell's promoter said a statement: "Due to a decline his Alzheimer's condition his medical specialists have advised that long international flight from Los Angeles would be detrimental his health.

"Glen apologises and is very disappointed that he is to perform for his New Zealand and Australian fans one time on what would have been his farewell visit and last international dates his The Goodbye Tour."

Rogers is continuing the month long tour, kicking on August 10 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Australian country artists will fill as special guests.

Campbell announced in June 2011 that he been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease six months earlier, having suffering from short-term memory loss for years.

During his 50-year career, he has released than 70 albums, has sold 45 million records and amassed 12 RIAA Gold albums, four Platinum albums and Double-Platinum album.

He is known for dozens of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, including Gentle On My Mind and Wichita Lineman, as as Rhinestone Cowboy.

He also hosted a variety show CBS television, called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour.

Campbell received the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this year, and inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005.

He has been married four and has eight children - five sons and three daughters - three of were joining him on the tour.

He sang Rhinestone Cowboy a goodbye at the 2012 Grammy Awards held February 12.


Adapted and abridged from: Sky News, July 19, 2012.