June 22, 2011 2:58PM

In an exclusive interview with People magazine that hits news stands on Friday, legendary singer Glen Campbell reveals he is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

The 75-year-old singer/songwriter/guitarist, known for such iconic hits as “Wichita Lineman” and “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” tells the magazine he has been suffering with short-term memory loss for years.

Campbell’s wife, Kim, is quoted in the interview as saying, “Glen is still an awesome guitar player and singer. But if he flubs a lyric or gets confused on stage, I wouldn’t want people to think, ‘What’s the matter with him? Is he drunk?’ ”

The singer’s final studio album, “Ghost on the Canvas” will be released Aug. 30 and features songs penned by Campbell, Jakob Dylan and Paul Westerberg, among others.

“I still love performing for my fans. I’d like to thank them for sticking with me through thick and thin,” Campbell tells the magazine, which has excerpts from the interview currently online at People.com.

Campbell also is set to embark on a special farewell tour later this year that will kick off in the United Kingdom. The itinerary was not released as of press time.

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