Today, August 8, marks eight years since the world lost Glen Campbell, the Rhinestone Cowboy whose voice defined a generation. And for the first time, Barry Gibb, 78, has opened up about the sorrow he still carries — not just over Glen’s death, but over a final goodbye that never happened.
“I missed my chance,” Barry said quietly. “And I’ve never stopped thinking about it.”
In a rare and reflective statement released privately through his family earlier this morning in Miami, Barry Gibb broke his long-held silence surrounding the loss of his longtime friend and fellow musical titan. Though their public paths rarely crossed, Glen and Barry shared a deep mutual respect — two men from different corners of the industry who understood what it meant to lose brothers, to carry legacy, and to sing through personal storms.
Glen Campbell passed away on August 8, 2017, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. In the years following, Barry Gibb remained notably silent on the subject — until now.
“I wrote him a letter once, near the end,” Barry shared. “But by the time it got there… it was too late.”
Barry revealed that he had hoped to visit Glen during his final months but was advised by close friends that Glen no longer recognized visitors and was often confused and distressed. Out of respect for Glen’s peace — and fearing he’d cause more pain than comfort — Barry chose not to go. It is a decision he says still haunts him.
“I thought there would be time,” he said. “But time doesn’t wait for legends. And it doesn’t wait for friends.”
Adding to the poignancy of the moment, Willie Nelson, 92, also released a short statement this morning in honor of his old friend:
“Glen was one of the finest voices we ever had. Kind. Gentle. Funny. A little wild — but in the best way. I miss him every day.”
The two tributes — from Barry and Willie — come as fans across the country gather to remember Glen Campbell’s legacy. Candlelight vigils, online tributes, and radio specials are airing today in Nashville, Phoenix, and Branson — places where Glen’s music carved permanent space into the heart of American culture.
But for Barry Gibb, the anniversary isn’t just about Glen’s fame. It’s about regret, silence, and the importance of saying goodbye while you still can.
“He made the world sing. And I never got to tell him how much that meant to me,” Barry said, his voice reportedly cracking. “So if you’ve got someone to call, call them. If there’s someone you love, tell them. Because you never know when the song will stop.”
As the sun sets on another year without Glen Campbell, his music plays on — and now, so does the long-overdue tribute from a fellow legend who waited too long to say what his heart never stopped holding.