Legendary country singer and guitarist Glen Campbell has died at the age of 81 after a six-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

A statement on Campbell’s official website reads, “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and legendary singer and guitarist, Glen Travis Campbell, at the age of 81, following his long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.”

In the 60’s, Campbell moved from rural Arkansas to Los Angeles and began his career as a studio musician, becoming a member of the legendary Wrecking Crew. He appeared on almost 600 recordings during that time including The Byrds’ “Tambourine Man” and the Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling.”

Eventually he made a name for himself as an artist and, over the course of a 50 year career,  released 58 studio albums and sold 45 millions records. He had a total of 82 singles place on the Billboard Country Chart, the Billboard Hot 100 or the Adult Contemporary Chart including his best-known hits “Rhinestone Cowboy,” “Galveston,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” and “Southern Nights”.

Campbell has been credited with paving the path for other crossover artists such as Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.