Guitarist Jeff Cook, co-founder of nation band Alabama, dies at 73

By Associated Press

NEW YORK: Guitarist Jeff Cook, who co-founded the nation group Alabama and steered them up the charts with such hits as “Song of the South” and “Dixieland Delight,” has died. He was 73.

Cook had Parkinson’s illness and disclosed his prognosis in 2017. He died Tuesday at his dwelling in Destin, Florida, stated Don Murry Grubbs, a consultant for the band.

Tributes poured in from nation stars, together with Travis Tritt who known as Cook “a great guy and one heckuva bass fisherman,” and Jason Aldean, who tweeted: “ I got a chance to perform with him multiple times over the years and I will never forget it.” Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, added: “Everything he did was rooted in his deep love of music, a love he shared with tens of millions.”

As a guitarist, fiddle participant and vocalist, Cook — alongside cousins Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry — landed eight No. 1 songs on the nation charts between the spring 1980 and the summer season 1982, based on the Country Music Hall of Fame. That run included the pop crossover hits “Love In The First Degree” and “Feels So Right,” in addition to “Tennessee River” and “Mountain Music.”

“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 stated in an announcement. “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, gave me the heart to chase this dream.”

Randy Owen, from left, Jeff Cook and Teddy Gentry, of Alabama, pose on the purple carpet on the CMT “Artists of the Year” on Dec. 3, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. (File Photo | AP)

The band had a three-year run as CMA Entertainer of the Year from 1982-1985 and earned 5 ACM Award Entertainer of the Year trophies from 1981-1985. He stopped touring with Alabama in 2018.

Cook launched a handful of solo tasks and toured together with his Allstar Goodtime Band. He additionally launched collaborations with Charlie Daniels and “Star Trek” star William Shatner. He entered the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005 as a member of Alabama.

A track he co-wrote in 2015, “No Bad Days,” took on new that means after his prognosis. “After I got the Parkinson’s diagnosis, people would quote the song to me and say, ‘No bad days,’” Cook instructed The Tennessean in 2019. “They write me letters, notes and emails and so they signal ‘No Bad Days.’ I do know the assist is there.”

Survivors embrace his spouse, Lisa.

NEW YORK: Guitarist Jeff Cook, who co-founded the nation group Alabama and steered them up the charts with such hits as “Song of the South” and “Dixieland Delight,” has died. He was 73.

Cook had Parkinson’s illness and disclosed his prognosis in 2017. He died Tuesday at his dwelling in Destin, Florida, stated Don Murry Grubbs, a consultant for the band.

Tributes poured in from nation stars, together with Travis Tritt who known as Cook “a great guy and one heckuva bass fisherman,” and Jason Aldean, who tweeted: “ I got a chance to perform with him multiple times over the years and I will never forget it.” Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, added: “Everything he did was rooted in his deep love of music, a love he shared with tens of millions.”

As a guitarist, fiddle participant and vocalist, Cook — alongside cousins Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry — landed eight No. 1 songs on the nation charts between the spring 1980 and the summer season 1982, based on the Country Music Hall of Fame. That run included the pop crossover hits “Love In The First Degree” and “Feels So Right,” in addition to “Tennessee River” and “Mountain Music.”

“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 stated in an announcement. “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, gave me the heart to chase this dream.”

Randy Owen, from left, Jeff Cook and Teddy Gentry, of Alabama, pose on the purple carpet on the CMT “Artists of the Year” on Dec. 3, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. (File Photo | AP)

The band had a three-year run as CMA Entertainer of the Year from 1982-1985 and earned 5 ACM Award Entertainer of the Year trophies from 1981-1985. He stopped touring with Alabama in 2018.

Cook launched a handful of solo tasks and toured together with his Allstar Goodtime Band. He additionally launched collaborations with Charlie Daniels and “Star Trek” star William Shatner. He entered the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005 as a member of Alabama.

A track he co-wrote in 2015, “No Bad Days,” took on new that means after his prognosis. “After I got the Parkinson’s diagnosis, people would quote the song to me and say, ‘No bad days,’” Cook instructed The Tennessean in 2019. “They write me letters, notes and emails and so they signal ‘No Bad Days.’ I do know the assist is there.”

Survivors embrace his spouse, Lisa.