45. He Made A Friend On The Dark Side
Campbell decided to give living in Phoenix a chance and found one of his neighbors was macabre rocker Alice Cooper. Both musicians had moved to Phoenix to get away from the booze and drug culture that caused them both so many problems. When they took up golf together, they formed a close friendship.
But Cooper soon noticed a problem with his new friend.
46. He Became Forgetful
It was Cooper who noticed that something wasn't quite right with Campbell. He became concerned when Campbell would tell a joke on the first tee and then repeat it again on the fourth. This prompted Campbell to see a doctor.
The news was not good.
47. He Got Ready To Say Goodbye
In 2010, doctors gave Campbell the sad diagnosis: he had Alzheimer's. This news prompted Campbell to get some things done before he was gone. He immediately started a “Goodbye Tour”. He also recorded his final album, which he affectionately called Adios. His final song was the bittersweet “I’m Not Gonna Miss You”.
But there would be a lot of people missing him.
48. She Wrote A Tribute
An 81-year-old Campbell passed on August 8, 2017. Tanya Tucker, who had been his turbulent lover, wrote and performed “Forever Loving You” as a tribute to her ex-boyfriend. When Campbell’s widow heard the song, she hit the roof and accused Tucker of using Campbell’s demise for her own publicity.
Even after he was gone, Campbell’s life continued to be full of trouble.
Tim Seidenstricker (Timseid1 at en.wikipedia), Wikimedia Commons
49. They Fought For His Money
Over his lifetime, Campbell had nine children. When the lawyers read his will, not all of them received an inheritance. The three who got left out were from his marriage to Billie Jean Nunley. These three kids fought to contest the will, but eventually let it go for unknown reasons.
Aside from these turbulent relationships, most have fond memories of Campbell as a gentle soul.
50. He Was One Of the Best
Shock rocker Alice Cooper had nothing but kind words for Campbell. He called him a “golden boy” who could easily hang out with a wide variety of people. He mentioned that Campbell was friends with members of the Brat Pack, the Beatles, and even Donny and Marie Osmond. He also said that Campbell was one of the five top guitar players in the music world.
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Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
