| NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country Music Hall of Fame member and co-founder of Alabama, Jeff Cook passed away yesterday. He was 73. With Alabama, Cook rose to prominence in the late ’70s and ’80s with a string of hits that include “Tennessee River,” “Dixieland Delight,” “Song Of The South,” “Mountain Music,” “Feels So Right” and more. The group amassed more than 41 No. 1 singles and 12 top 10 albums and is credited with selling more than 75 million records worldwide. With more than 200 awards from a variety of organizations, Alabama earned a slate of trophies that include three consecutive CMA Awards for Entertainer of the Year (1982-1984) and five ACM Awards for Entertainer of the Year (1982-1986). In 1989, Alabama was named Artist of the Decade by the ACM. In addition to his performance work, Cook founded Cook Sound Studios, Inc. in Fort Payne and established WQRX-AM in Valley Head, AL before selling the station. He was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2019, and Alabama is a 2005 inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Arrangements for Cook’s celebration of life will be announced at a later date. 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) or at the foundation website, thejeffandlisacookfoundation.org.Fellow artists and friends mourn the loss of their friend and share memories of Jeff Cook: “Jeff Cook was a long-time friend and brother as has been Randy and Teddy over all these times passing! This is a heartbreaking loss for all that knew Jeff. ALABAMA is in our prayers. Rest in Peace Jeff. Until the day…” – Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban / The Oak Ridge Boys “I have great memories of touring with Alabama for 2 years, a most important time in my career. Jeff’s talent and his life of being a great entertainer will never be forgotten.” – Janie Fricke “We ran a lot of roads together back in the ’80s. I was proud to tour with Alabama for four years! Night after night I watched them create magic like I had never seen before. Jeff was a unique part of the group Alabama and a really good guitar player and fiddle player. We thought we were forever young. This one hits hard. Go rest high on that mountain, Jeff Cook.” – Lee Greenwood “I’m so sorry and sad to hear the news of Jeff Cook’s passing. He was not only a delight to see and hear on stage, but was always a delight to just hang with. He definitely has left his mark in country music that will never be erased. R.I.P. my friend” – T.G. Sheppard “So sorry to hear that Jeff has passed. He and Lisa always got Sheila and me to stay with them at “The Castle” and they were the most gracious hosts. He always had me laughing. Jeff contributed so very much to the music world. Alabama was the greatest country band in history and showed us all how to get it done. Condolences to Lisa, Randy, Teddy, and his legion of fans. Rest in peace, my brother.” – T. Graham Brown “I was good friends with Jeff Cook and will miss him a lot. Praying for his family and friends. Rest easy, buddy.” – Johnny Lee “In 1980 I heard my first Alabama song on the radio. I immediately fell in love with the harmonies, blazing guitar solos, and honest lyrics about being a country boy and growing up in the South. I was saddened to hear of the passing of Jeff Cook today. He told us that no matter what we do or how we play it needs to ‘come from the heart.’ Rest in Peace, Sir!” – Heath Wright of Ricochet “Frizzell and West & Alabama worked a lot of shows together in the early ’80s. It was great working with these talented guys. So sorry to hear of Jeff Cook’s passing.” – David Frizzell “Jeff was an honest-to-God good Ol’ boy!!! We will all miss him.” – Lacy J. Dalton “The last time I played with Jeff Cook was on the 2020 Country Music Cruise. Alabama was one of the headliners that year, and even though Jeff performed several shows throughout the week with Randy and Teddy, he spent most of his nights with me and my dueling piano partner Chrissy Sparks. He sat around our pianos and helped us sing. He and I even played a few numbers together at the pianos. Twenty-seven #1 hits of his own, and Jeff was happy singing the classics. He simply loved the music! My condolences to his family and friends.” – Tim Atwood “The group Alabama was one of my all-time favorites growing up! Was fortunate to meet Jeff Cook and the boys on a couple of different occasions. One of the best guitar pickers ever also! RIP to another legend! It’s a sad day.” – Shane Owens “Prayers to the family of Jeff Cook. One of the founding members of Alabama – the highest-selling country band of all time. Their music traces back to my childhood and so many good times growing up! He was a staple of that country group and he helped put Ft. Payne on the map. I know he’s going to be missed tremendously. Prayers also to Randy and Teddy as they continue their legacy in Jeff’s honor.” – JD Shelburne “I am saddened to hear of the passing of Jeff Cook. I grew up listening to the wonderful songs “Alabama” released and I still play them to this day. His playing will live on in this world and he will be dearly missed.” – Makenzie Phipps “Jeff has played such a big part in music history for years and has a legacy that will live on for centuries, I’m sure! My thoughts & prayers are with his family & friends during this hard time.” – Paige King Johnson “Saddened to hear about the passing of Jeff Cook. I have countless fond memories of my family and me dancing around and listening to his music. Sending my love and prayers to his family during this time. The legend of Jeff lives on in all of our hearts.” – Whitney Miller “We’re absolutely heartbroken to hear of the death of our old friend Jeff Cook, after bravely dealing with a debilitating illness over the last few years. He was a great musician and singer, but most importantly, a wonderful, charitable person. Our thoughts go out to Lisa and to Randy, Teddy and all of his Alabama ‘family.’ Rest in peace.”–Exile “Such sad news today with the passing of Jeff Cook. Many years ago, Jack Greene and I were asked to judge a talent contest, not something I’m comfortable with as I don’t feel qualified to ever judge another talent. However, we chose the group that became Alabama. We shared a lot of laughs about that and I joked I would never judge another contest as I was gonna quit a winner. Jeff was such an integral part of the group, both on and off stage. He was a talented musician and singer, but he also had the personality to connect with friends and fans alike. My heart is heavy tonight.”–Jeannie Seely “Some of my best times in country music were while sharing the stage with Jeff Cook. I had a wonderful opportunity to open for Jeff and the band many years ago. Whenever I would run into him he would always mention me being on the show with them back in Atlanta in the mid-80s. He was very kind to remember what was probably a very small thing to him and the band. Alabama, but it was such a huge thing for this country boy. Godspeed, Jeff.”–John Berry “I grew up on the music of Alabama. It was my first introduction to country music. Alabama just has IT, and it was a highlight of my career to interview Jeff. What a lasting impact he has made on music and our country. Words can’t express how influential Alabama has been to so many lives – including mine. He was always friendly and kind.”–Megan Alexander “Alabama, a four-piece band (I love four-piece bands), turned country music around with their mix of rock and country. It was like the Beatles. It had to be those four to make that unique sound. Jeff, to me, was the George Harrison of Alabama. He always had great guitar licks that gave each song its own identity. Those four guys made music and magic. Thank you, Jeff.”–Kent Blazy “Jeff Cook was one of the most talented, well-rounded multi-instrument musicians in country music. Alabama was the first concert I ever attended as a kid and I knew that’s what I wanted to do one day. He gave Alabama such a unique sound and his contributions were unparalleled. My thoughts and prayers go out to Jeff’s family as well as the entire Alabama family. It’s a very sad day in country music and he will be sorely missed.”–Heidi Newfield “Jeff Cook of Alabama will truly be missed. He was a true inspiration in our musical journey. He is playing guitar and singing in Heaven’s Angel Band.”–Flat River Band “My family and I are so sorry to hear about Jeff’s passing. Alabama was a staple in our house while I was growing up. They were even my momma’s first concert when she was a teenager! Jeff’s talents will live on through his music, but he will be truly missed.”–Dallas Remington “Some of my fondest memories from growing up on the ball field-and the soundtrack of my life before I moved to Nashville-was set to music that wouldn’t exist if not for Jeff Cook. Every time we won a big game, we would turn the dial up to eleven and blast one of their songs through the locker room speakers. When music molds with core memory, that’s when you know something really special is going on. Country music lost a great one today. It is with a heavy heart that the Nashville community will continue on with the CMAs this week, but I can think of no better send-off to honor Jeff than keeping that dial turned up to eleven all week long.”–Bryan Ruby “Jeff Cook was one of the most talented, well-rounded multi-instrument musicians in country music. Alabama was the first concert I ever attended as a kid and I knew that’s what I wanted to do one day. He gave Alabama such a unique sound and his contributions were unparalleled. My thoughts and prayers go out to Jeff’s family as well as the entire Alabama family. It’s a very sad day in country music and he will be sorely missed.”–Jason Brownie “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jeff Cook. Cook’s music played a huge part in shaping the artist that I am today. The first song I ever sang in public at three years old was ‘Angels Among Us’ by Alabama and it forever changed my life by helping me to realize that being a Country Artist was what I wanted to do with my life. Thankful for his inspiration, his songs and his passion for music. He will forever live on through it all. Prayers to all of his friends and family.”–Dani-elle Kleha |
Country Music Community Mourns The Loss of Alabama’s Co-Founder Jeff Cook
