Glenn Campbell 1975
Photo: WireImage, Chris Walter. All rights reserved.
Glen Campbell first heard “Rhinestone Cowboy”, in the version by Larry Weiss (who also wrote the song), on tour in Australia in 1974. Back in the US, he met his A&R manager and said he had found the perfect song that he would like to record next.
Before Campbell could elaborate on which track it was, the A&R manager announced that he had found the perfect song as well. When he played the piece of gold to Campbell, he had to grin widely: It was actually “Rhinestone Cowboy”. So everyone agreed.
“Rhinestones” is the name of the fake gemstones that are often applied to country fashion – they glitter so beautifully on stage! Country singer David Allan Coe loved wearing shirts studded with rhinestones, earning him the nickname “Rhinestone Cowboy” – he even released an album in 1974 called The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy.
Larry Weiss had offered him his song, but Coe didn’t feel comfortable singing an ode to himself, so he declined. Campbell, on the other hand, called “Rhinestone Cowboy” one of the best songs he ever sang. It was a #1 hit for him and earned him three Grammy nominations.
In the last years of his career he changed the line “I’ve been walkin’ these streets so long / Singin’ the same old song” to “I’ve been walkin’ these streets so long / Singin’ some good old song” – as a tribute to the songs that made him a star. Campbell also performed “Rhinestone Cowboy” at the 2012 Grammy Awards, where he received a lifetime achievement award. Well deserved.
Find more facts about Glen Campbell HERE