Owen, Gentry mourn passing of Cook

Cook, a founding member and guitarist of the Alabama, died peacefully on Monday at his beach home in Destin, Fla. at 73. The guitarist was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2012. He leaves his wife Lisa.

"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. 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," said Owen.

"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," said Gentry.