9 Years Ago Today: Legendary Country Singer's Final Album Released 2 Months Before His Death

On this day nine years ago, legendary singer-songwriter Glen Campbell bid a final farewell to his fans by releasing his final album, Adios.

The album was recorded in 2012 coinciding with the end of his music career nearly a year after the "Rhinestone Cowboy" was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Adios is a 12-song collection featuring some of the songs Campbell loved, but was never able to record. Produced by his longtime friend and banjor player Carl Jackson, Adios also involved his daughter, Ashley.

The 64th and final album from Campbell reached No. 40 on the Billboard 200 and No. 7 on the U.S. Top Country Albums Billboard chart.

Glen Campbell Couldn't Remember Lyrics to His Songs

Jackson revealed Campbell, "couldn't remember lyrics - that was one of the first things to go."

However, the singer never lose his melodies, delivering perfect pitch and tone. His memory lapses created an intimate setting, according to Jackson.

"It was a special thing that went on in the room. There was so much joy, so much laughter, so much fun," he said. "I think there was so much love in the room [that] made me able to get some things out of him that maybe somebody else couldn't have done."

'Southern Nights' Remains Glen Campbell's Most-Streamed Song

Campbell's Southern Nights remains his most-streamed song thanks to its renaissance after its appearance in Guardians of the GalaxyVol. 2.

"My dad told me when I was a kid, ‘You're having the best time of your life, and you don't even know it.' Sure enough, he was right," Campbell said of creating the iconic track.

"Now I really feel the need to go back home, float down the Missouri River, and fish for bass and crappies. It's real peaceful, and remote from things like telephones. My head is still there."

During his illustrious career, Campbell won six Grammys and was nominated for 21. In 2005 he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

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This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 4:23 AM.