Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys offers a heartfelt recollection of his friendship with the legendary Glen Campbell, emphasizing Campbell’s exceptional talent as a “song man.” Allen fondly recounts numerous occasions where their shared love of music brought them together. He describes how they would often spend hours teaching each other new songs, particularly during their time working together in Branson, Missouri, where they co-headlined at the Grand Palace Theatre. These impromptu jam sessions would sometimes extend late into the night on their tour buses, with Campbell so engrossed in the music that he would fall asleep mid-song, only to awaken and eagerly request another tune. Allen vividly remembers Campbell’s infectious enthusiasm for discovering and sharing great songs, highlighting his profound influence on Allen’s own appreciation for song selection.
Their musical camaraderie wasn’t confined to formal work settings. Allen shares an anecdote about Mel Tillis inviting him to join Glen Campbell in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, where the three musicians spent a couple of hours simply playing songs for one another, their voices eventually growing hoarse from the sheer joy of the shared experience. This memory underscores the deep connection they forged through their mutual passion for music.
In a more poignant part of his remembrance, Allen reflects on a visit to Campbell in his later years, during Campbell’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. He describes the bittersweet experience of handing Campbell a guitar and witnessing him strum a few chords and offer a warm smile, while also acknowledging the heartbreaking reality of Campbell’s inability to communicate with the vibrancy he once possessed. This memory serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of Alzheimer’s. Allen concludes his tribute with a heartfelt prayer for the discovery of a cure or effective treatment for Alzheimer’s, expressing his deep compassion for those affected by the disease. His words paint a picture of a cherished friendship built on a shared love of music, marked by both joyful collaboration and the sorrow of witnessing a dear friend’s decline.