Alabama co-founder and COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME member Jeff Cook has died at the age of 73. He passed away peacefully yesterday (11/7) with his family and close friends by his side at his beach home in Destin, FL. The multi-award winning guitarist was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2012.
Jeffery Alan Cook was born in Fort Payne, AL, on August 27th, 1949. He began playing lead guitar and keyboards in bands at the age of 13. Securing a broadcast license only three days after his 14th birthday, Cook went to work as a disc jockey at a local Fort Payne radio station. The broadcast bug had entered his blood, and later resulted in him owning radio and TV stations. After graduating from Fort Payne High School, Cook received a degree in Electronic Technology from Gadsden State Community College in Gadsden, AL, and was named “Outstanding Alumni” by the American Association of Community Colleges. Cook loved that radio combined two of his favorite things, music and electronics.
The band posted a statement saying he “was a champion in all he attempted, and he courageously faced his battle with a positive attitude.”
Jeff and his cousins, Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry, formed the band over 50 years ago in Fort Payne, Alabama. They’re one of the biggest groups in country music history, selling 80 million albums and charting 33 Number One hits.
Jeff was member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Musicians Hall of Fame, the Fiddlers Hall of Fame, and was a Gibson Guitarist of the Year honoree.
He’s survived by his wife of 27 years, Lisa. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Jeff and Lisa Cook Foundation, which helps educate and assist people with Parkinson’s.
Cook is credited for introducing the electric double neck guitar to Country music. He was also an accomplished musician with the ability to play piano, guitar, fiddle, bass guitar, banjo, mandolin and anything else thrown in front of him.
Here are some tributes from country music stars:
1. Kenny Chesney: “Jeff Cook and the guys in Alabama were so generous with wisdom and fun when I toured with them as a young artist. They showed a kid in a T-shirt that country music could be someone who looked like me.”
2. Jason Aldean: “So sad to hear of the passing of Jeff Cook. I spent a lot of my life listening to him play guitar, what an iconic sound he had.”
3. The Oak Ridge Boys: “This is a heartbreaking loss for all that knew Jeff. Alabama is in our prayers. Rest in peace, Jeff.”
4. Travis Tritt: “Sending out my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and band mates of Jeff Cook. He will be truly missed.”
5. Brad Paisley: “You fought this terrible disease with grace, Jeff. My heart goes out to your wife and the boys and the band. We will miss you.”
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