Jeff Cook, Co-Founder of Country Supergroup Alabama, Dead at 73 After 10-Year Parkinson's Battle

Mar. 15, 2025

Jeff Cook.Photo: Kristen Van Zant

Jeff Cook, co-founder of country music supergroupAlabama, has died. He was 73 years old.

While his exact cause of death is unknown, Cook long battled Parkinson’s disease and was diagnosed with the condition in 2012. Five years later, he released a statement announcing his diagnosis and revealing he’d be stepping back from touring with Alabama due to its effects.

Cook and two of his cousins, guitarist Randy Owen and bassist Teddy Gentry, formed a band in the late ’60s before officially co-founding Alabama a decade later. They released three albums in the ’70s —Wild Country, Deuces WildandAlabama Band No. 3— that largely flew under the radar before signing to RCA Records to craft their major label debut, 1980’sMy Home’s in Alabama.

Over the course of their career, the band notched 36 No. 1 singles on theBillboardHot Country Songs chart including 1982’s “Mountain Music,” 1983’s “Dixieland Delight,” 1988’s “Song of the South,” 1990’s “Jukebox in My Mind” and 1992’s “I’m in a Hurry (And Don’t Know Why),” among others.

Alabama embarked on a farewell tour in 2003 and 2004, with Owen tellingThe Tennesseeanin 2011, “I just think everybody needed some time. After the last show … I was, just, gosh, just so wore out.”

The band began touring again in 2013 and releasedSouthern Drawl, their first album of new music since 2007 and most recent project, two years later. In 2017, Cook announced he’d be performing less due to his battle with Parkinson’s disease.

“This disease robs you of your coordination, your balance, and causes tremors,” Cook wrote in a statement at the time. “For me, this has made it extremely frustrating to try and play guitar, fiddle, or sing. I’ve tried not to burden anyone with the details of my condition because I do not want the music to stop or the party to end, and that won’t change no matter what. Let me say, I’m not calling it quits, but sometimes our bodies dictate what we have to do, and mine is telling me it’s time to take a break and heal.”

Alabama.Rick Diamond

As Cook took a step back, Alabama continued touring. Earlier this year, he reunited with the band for a 50th-anniversary tour. Currently, Alabama has a string of North American shows scheduled through August 2023.

“He lived to play our music we created together. He could play any instrument he chose, but his harmonies I’ll miss the most. I’m thankful we got to create music together for over 50 years! Wish we could play ‘My Home’s in Alabama’ one more time,” Randy Owen said in a statement. “I’m hurt in a way I can’t describe! To Lisa, thanks for loving him and being there for him to the end. Play on, Jeff. Love you!”

Added Teddy Gentry, “Closer than brothers, we lived together more than with our immediate families. Don’t think I’ve known anyone who loved playing more. Jeff, along with me and Randy, experienced the highs of undreamed success, as well as some very tough early years. None of us were perfect, but together we had something so special it will never die. No other guitar player I’ve known had the range of styles Jeff had. No one can take your place. Ever. Rest in peace till we get to jam again.”

“Jeff Cook, and all of the guys in Alabama, were so generous with wisdom AND fun when I got to tour with them as a young artist,“Kenny Chesney, who also covered the band’s “Lady Down On Love” in 2013, wrote onInstagram. “But maybe even more, they showed a kid in a t-shirt that country music could be rock, could be real, could be someone who looked like me. Growing up in East Tennessee, that gave me the heart to chase this dream.”

Jason Aldeantook toTwitterand paid tribute to Cook. “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,” he wrote. “I got a chance to perform with him multiple times over the years and I will never forget it.”

In a follow-up tweet, Aldean continued, “RIP Mr. Jeff, you are a legend to many of us and your influence will be felt forever in country music.”

Braid Paisleywrote, “One of the highlights of my life is getting to record and jam with you guys. 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.”

The wife and son of the late Charlie Daniels also wrote a heartfelt post about Cook onTwitter. “Heaven gained another guitar/fiddle player today. Mom and I were saddened to hear about the passing of@TheAlabamaBand’s Jeff Cook after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease. Prayers for his family and many fans,” he tweeted.

source: people.com