Alabama's Jeff Cook passes away

Cook was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2012.

"Few bands are more ubiquitous in country music today than Alabama. Jeff was instrumental to Alabama's high energy stage presence and authentic country sound. My deepest condolences to Jeff's family, friends and the band," said Sarah Trahern, Country Music Association chief executive officer.

Jeffrey Alan Cook was born in Fort Payne, Ala. on Aug. 27, 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.

After graduating from Fort Payne High School, Cook received a degree in electronic technology from Gadsden State Community College in Gadsden, Ala. and was named "Outstanding Alumni" by the American Association of Community Colleges.

Cook played the electric double neck guitar and also played piano, guitar, fiddle, bass guitar, banjo and mandolin.

More than 50 years ago, Cook, along with cousins Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen, left Fort Payne to spend the summer playing music in a Myrtle Beach, S.C. bar called The Bowery. The band was called Wildcountry. It took Cook, Gentry and Owen six long years of tip jars and word-of-mouth to earn the major label deal they'd been dreaming of. By 1977, the band was called Alabama.

The group went on to sell 80 million albums and charted 43 number one hits, becoming the biggest group in the history of the country genre.

Alabama's first single on RCA Records, "Tennessee River," started a streak of 21 number one singles, including "Love in the First Degree," (1981) "Mountain Music," (1982) "Dixieland Delight," (1983) "If You're Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)" (1984) and "Song of the South" (1988).

Alabama became less popular in the 1990's, but continued recording. The group disbanded in 2004 after a farewell tour and two albums of inspirational music. Alabama reunited in 2010 and have continued to record and tour worldwide.

Due to Cook's health battle, he ceased touring with Alabama in 2018. The band continued touring because Cook never wanted "the music to stop or the party to end."

Cook also released 10 solo albums on his own, his most recent being 2018's "Why Not Me" with William Shatner.

He married Lisa Williams, on June 9, 1995. The Cooks resided in "Cook Castle" atop Lookout Mountain in Fort Payne, Ala., Guntersville, Ala. and Destin/Miramar Beach, Fla.

One of Cook's lifelong dreams came true with the construction of Cook Sound Studios and his home, "Cook Castle," based in Fort Payne. He also enjoyed bass fishing and was an official "Fishing Ambassador" to the state of Alabama, as proclaimed by five governors.

The Jeff and Lisa Cook Foundation was formed along with The Jeff and Lisa Cook Children's Home to house orphaned children worldwide, starting in the Philippines.

Cook is survived by his wife of 27 years Lisa Cook, his mother Betty Cook, his brother David Cook, Crystal Cook, his father-in-law Jerrial Williams, his brother-in-law Randy Williams and many nieces and nephews. Cook was pre-deceased by his father James Cook and his mother-in-law, JoAnn Williams.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to The Jeff and Lisa Cook Foundation, P.O. Box 680067, Fort Payne, AL 35968.

Arrangements for Cook's "Celebration of Life" will be announced at a later date.