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Southern (and Northern) nights lie in wait for Glen Campbell - 2011 UK tour just announced

Posted: 12 years ago

Last year we reported on Campbell's super UK tour (I'm sure there's a gag in that sentence), and now the great man is back, no doubt buoyed by the fact he sold-out several of the regional shows. For 2011, the shiny-shirted country and pop legend will undertake a tour with a few new destinations - great news for the legions of his UK fans!

The Salford Lowry is the first stop on 21st October, followed by the Royal Festival Hall on the following night and Cardiff follows on the 23rd. By the time he gets to Birmingham (I've been dying to use that Campbell reference), it'll be 6th December. New stops this time round include Basingstoke and Plymouth and all but Cardiff are on sale now - prices vary from £27.50 to £42.50.

Glen Campbell's impressive catalogue of classic country includes "Southern Nights", "Rhinestone Cowboy" and "Wichita Lineman", as well as a bit of pizzazz and the occasional sparkly shirt (he must use Neil Diamond's tailor). His credibility was ramped up a few levels in 2008 when he issued the album, "Meet Glen Campbell", a selection of his cover versions of U2, Green Day, Foo Fighters and Tom Petty, amongst others.

Update: Glen diagnosed with Alzheimer's - tour still going ahead

Subsequent to us having posted this news item, it has been revealed that Glen has Alzheimer's disease. Glen and his wife Kim chose to go public so that fans are aware of his condition during the shows - which will be his last tour.

Speaking about Glen, Kim had this to say:

Glen is still an awesome guitar player and singer, but if he flubs a lyric or gets confused on stage, I wouldn't want people to think, 'What's the matter with him? Is he drunk?'

On tour, Glen will be supported by his two daughters and his son's band, playing his many hits and presumably a few numbers from his final studio album 'Ghost on the Canvas', released on 29th August via Surfdog Records.

"I still love making music," says Campbell. "And I still love performing for my fans. I'd like to thank them for sticking with me through thick and thin."

We would like to wish Glen and his family all the best for a great tour and for the future.

Paul Pledger