The co-founder, guitarist, and vocalist of Alabama Jeff Cook passed away at the age of 73 years old on Monday, November 7th. Cook passed away at his home in Destin, Florida, with family by his side. For over a decade he had battled with Parkinson’s disease, publicly releasing the information about it in 2017. At the time he pulled back from touring with Alabama, but allowed him to join whenever he could make an appearance.
Cook was from Fort Payne, Ala., and at a young age was playing in bands and working at a radio station in the area. In 1969, Alabama formed as Young Country before changing their name multiple times between period of relative inactivity. In the 1970’s after relocating to South Carolina, they changed their name to the Alabama Band and then eventually just Alabama prior to signing with RCA Records, their longtime record label. While accumulating dozens of radio hits, they were most known for their live show.
Alabama continued to tour after Cook left, noting that he would want them to continue without him. His wife Lisa was amongst those beside him as he passed this week, instead of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the Jeff and Lisa Cook foundation.
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