“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and legendary singer and guitarist, Glen Travis Campbell, at the age of 81, following his long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease,” the singer’s family said in a statement.

When Campbell announced he had the disease he also announced he was going on tour, to which the LA Times editorialized:

What’s extraordinary about the 75-year-old Campbell is his intention to stay in the spotlight — and ask his fans’ indulgence. That decision, if he can carry it out, is a milestone in the fight against Alzheimer’s, a disease that currently has no cure, afflicts 5 million Americans and will only strike more as baby boomers age. Campbell’s tour is an opportunity to show not only how widespread this disease is but that life goes on even after one is diagnosed with it.

From CBS in 2013…

This classic won 4 Grammy Awards.