Continue Reading Below Advertisement

Even though I had heard Campbell was a studio musician in the mid-'60s, I never appreciated the depth of his achievements. He played on Frank Sinatra's "Strangers in the Night," as well as Monkees recordings, and even replaced Brian Wilson for six months during a Beach Boys tour, playing bass and singing Wilson's falsetto parts. And what I really didn't know, was that Campbell could shred. Look at the completely gratuitous and awesome solo in the middle of "MacArthur Park," or watch him trade licks with Jerry Reed on "Guitar Man." It's not surprising he was a hero to the likes of guitar legend Steve Lukather. Or think about how cool it is that, in 1969, this Arkansas boy used his popularity to beam a black man covering a Jew's hippie song into all the homes he reached throughout the nation -- Campbell and Stevie Wonder doing Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind."

Continue Reading Below Advertisement

The Approaching Death

Although there had been signs for years, in 2011 Campbell was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He went on a final tour, aided by teleprompters and three of his children, who were part of his band. Even with that aid, mistakes would happen as shown in this painful story where Campbell starts to replay the song he just finished. Though the disease would progress to points where Campbell wouldn't even remember he had it, he also had moments of clarity. And in one of those moments, he co-wrote a song to his wife of 30 years.

Continue Reading Below Advertisement

Saddest Lyrics

You're the last person I will love

You're the last face I will recall

And best of all

I'm not gonna miss you

You're never gonna see it in my eyes

It's not gonna hurt me when you cry

I'm never gonna know what you go through

All the things I say or do

All the hurt and all the pain

One thing selfishly remains

I'm not gonna miss you

Although no one would wish Alzheimer's on anyone, it is often said of the disease that it's hardest on the loved ones of the victim, because the victim is often oblivious to the condition. Here, Campbell acknowledges it as heartbreakingly as possible, while he still can, and it is one of the most painful and beautiful things I've ever seen.

Continue Reading Below Advertisement



GLADSTONE'S NOTES FROM THE INTERNET APOCALYPSE IS ON SALE NOW!

After experiencing the joy of purchasing Book 1 of the trilogy, be sure to follow Gladstone on Twitter.

Also, you can get all your Internet Apocalypse news here.

And WATCH A NEW EPISODE OF HATE BY NUMBERS ABOUT THE NEW McDONALD'S McNAZI CHICKEN SANDWICH AND HELP GLADSTONE FUND MORE!

And check out 5 Unexpected True Stories Behind Famous Gender-Bending Songs and 5 Insane First Drafts of Famous Song Lyrics.