Private funeral held for country legend Campbell

COUNTRY music superstar Glen Campbell has been laid to rest in his home town of Delight in the US state of Arkansas.

An announcement on Campbell’s official Facebook page said a private ceremony had taken place and there would be a private memorial, but the date has not been announced.

Campbell (81), perhaps best known for his hits Rhinestone Cowboy and Wichita Lineman, died on Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee.

He announced in 2011 that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

The statement said: “The Campbell family would like to thank everyone for their enormous outpouring of love and support.

“Glen was laid to rest on Wednesday in a private ceremony in his hometown of Delight, AR. A private memorial will follow.”

Recording since the 1960s, the Arkansas-born star was known for hits Honey Come Back (1970), All I Have To Do Is Dream (1969) and his song Southern Nights, which featured on the soundtrack to this year’s film Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2. As well as his musical talents, Campbell also ventured onto the big screen, starring alongside John Wayne in True Grit (1969) and most recently playing Jesse Dalton for a stint in TV series Players (1997).

Campbell’s death came almost two months after the release of his album, Adios, featuring songs from his Goodbye Tour, which followed his diagnosis in 2011.

The record made it to number three in the official UK charts.

Campbell (left) was credited with paving the way for other country crossover artists such as Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.

Dolly Parton was among many stars who paid tribute, describing Campbell as “one of the greatest voices of all time”.

Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys said he was “very broken up” by Campbell’s death.

“An incredible musician and an even better person,” Wilson tweeted.

In a statement announcing his death this week, his family described Campbell as a “beloved husband, father, grandfather, and legendary singer and guitarist”.

They said he had died “following his long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease”.