British guitarist attempts to play Glen Campbell's lead guitar lines! Ouch!

I attended one of Glen Campbell's Farewell Tour Concerts in February 2012. It was painful to watch as the effects of Alzheimer's were very apparent. He forgot lyrics a few times and then announced the next song in the set would be "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress", which his kids (backup band) did not know. Glen told his kids, "I don't need the music, I got it right up here!" and pointed to his head. His son Shannon sat down on the edge of the drum pedestal, dropped his head into his hands and cried. Thankfully, long time keyboardist TJ Keunster broke into the tune for Glen to keep the show going. Glen belted the tune out and played the solo on his Strat with perfection. All of his guitar solos were phenomenal. Doctors commented that the part of the brain that stores musical actions was not affected by Alzheimer's and playing the guitar was like any other acquired habitual motion. Glen was one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

I can still remember my Uncle Glen playing his acoustic guitar on the front porch of his very modest rented house on north fourth street in Albuquerque New Mexico . He was a guest host and guitar picker on the Dick Bills show. A local program. His guitar skills were already out of this world and his talent belied his age. Truly I can still remember the day he left Albuquerque for the big time. And with a talent like his it was a very short time before he was there ....RIP Uncle Glen.

When the second best guitar player in your band is Steve Wariner, you are in one hell of a great band.

Galveston was about a soldier in the Vietnam war, longing for his girl back home, scared he might not get to ever see her again. It makes me cry now. As a child when it came out, I never paid attention to the lyrics and understood little about the war. To any of our brave Veterans reading thism thank you for your service, and welcome home, you have my love and grattitude always.

My grandmother was a Kansas farmer and worked hard her whole life. She had animals to feed twice a day every day and never took a day off. She loved music and we would watch Hee Haw with Roy Clark, who she told me was a great musician so I paid attention. To play country you have to have good technique, because the guitar rings like a bell and you can hear all the notes. When I was still a teen we would watch the Glen Campbell "goodtime hour" and I had to keep quiet so she would not miss a bit of it. She told me Glen was the best guitar player she had ever heard, and he could sing too. And she thought he was the best looking man on TV. Times were simpler then. I am glad we shared Hee Haw and Glen's show, me being 15 and her 60. There was no generation gap with appreciating this kind of talent. And she was right, Roy and Glen were the best! Great video - both the analysis and the respect given.

Glen Campbell was an absolute beast on the guitar. Rest in peace.

The fact that you have Glenn Campbell as an inspiration says a lot about you! Thanks for sharing this and your insightful, respectful analysis. I’ve always remembered that several big name jazz and rock guitarists said Glenn Campbell was the best guitarist they had ever heard.

Glen was a master at fill in and lead. He ran up and down the neck, guiding you along the song. Never choppy. Always smooth and flowing. A master of his craft.

Back in the early 80’s I was privileged to be in a band that opened for Glen in Lake Tahoe at the High Sierra. It’s now the Hard rock. After one of the shows he came to our dressing room and we jammed and played guitars until early the next morning. He is one of my guitar hero’s who I think was one of the greatest guitar players ever! A truly wonderful man who took the time to show me a couple of hot licks on the guitar. He loved guitar, and took the time and patience to pass on some of his knowledge I use to this day! I will never forget that night!! Thank you Glen for a wonderful memory. May you Rest In Peace…

He wasn't really my style and I thought of him as kind of a country singer type. But after listening to the words to Galveston and realizing it was about the Vietnam war and a young soldier longing for his sweetheart back home, it made me cry.

I have a new respect for Glenn Campbell! He’s more than just a “rhinestone cowboy.” He was an amazing artist!

When I was a kid (12-13) I was into playing rock and roll like most kids were back in the mid 70s. Glen Campbell came to town and my mom and dad were going to go see his concert. Well my mom got sick and couldn't go so my dad took me instead. I didnt want to go but had no choice. So we sat in our seats and after a few minutes of watching this man play I was blown away!! So clean, melodic and fast. I loved it immediately. Went and bought a couple albums and tried to learn some of the licks he was doing and had a ton of fun with it. From then on I realized that listening to all kinds of music and instruments can teach you something ir inspire something inside of you. Coming across this video reminded me of those good ol days, thanks so much!!!!

I enjoyed your take on Glen, Steve and Jimmy. I had the honor of being Glen's guitarist for 15years. Well done brother picker. (check out his Live video with the South Dakota Symphony. Arguably his best ever.)

I’m in my 60’s. I was a rocker and never paid any attention to Glen Campbell. I had a chance to meet him several years before he passed away. So that prompted me to listen to some of his music. I regret that I went so many years without appreciating his genius and unmatched talent. Galveston in my opinion is arguably one of the best song ever written. I love watching Glen Campbell and Roy Clark play together. How the two greats watch and admire each other while they’re playing. Love even watching you smile as you watch him.

"There's a reason Eddie Van Halen wanted lessons from this guy". Wow. I had absolutely no idea Glen Campbell was such a good guitarist. I have a whole new appreciation of his talent thanks to you Fil. Really appreciate your analysis. Love your channel.

You know, I'm 64 and was alive when Glen Cambell was at the peak of his career with his television show. I also play guitar, however, I was completely ignorant of what an accomplished guitarist he was. I want to thank you for highlighting his talent and sharing it with the world. It was emotional to see someone from your generation and I'm quite sure as it was for me to take the time to listen to and appriciate a form of music that is outside of the type of music that you mainly focus on. A big thumbs up to you buddy!

Just picked up my guitar after 12 years without realizing what was missing in my life. My old bandmates died way too young and it became painful to even listen to music for a long while. These videos inspired me incredibly, so many thanks Fil for WAKING ME UP!!!!

I was lucky to be able to be a part of a support act band for Glen Campbell. His playing stole the show! Was lucky to score a photo with him just before they whisked him away. He was just Amazing! Thanks for highlighting Glen once again!

You're a star Phil, So well done trying to emulate this stellar performance by Glen. I wouldn't have even tried. For you to be able to hear it and digest it and then replay it is amazing in itself. WELL done! I love learning about how technically good these old stars were. No computers, no autotune, nothing. Just sheer talent and hard work in what they do/did!

I'm just a regular lover of music who knows nothing about the techniques of any aspect of music, but your videos fascinate me by showing the depths of skill and sometimes genius these musicians/singers possess. I've always loved hearing professionals in any given field get excited about the skills of those they respect. Thanks for deepening my appreciation for those I've enjoyed for many years.