Alabama co-founder Jeff Cook has died. The guitarist and vocalist for the Country Music Hall of Fame group died on Monday (Nov. 7) at age 73.
Cook died at his home in Destin, Fla., with family by his side, according to a note from his publicity team. For a decade he’d battled Parkinson’s disease, going public with the diagnosis in 2017. At that time, the group announced he’d pull back from touring with Alabama, but they’d keep a microphone on stage for him for whenever he was able to make a tour stop.
Kenny Chesney wrote, “Alabama showed a kid in a t-shirt that country music could be someone who looked like me. That gave me the heart to chase this dream.” Jason Aldean wrote, “Mr. Jeff, you’re a legend and your influence will be felt forever in country music.”
He is survived by Lisa Cook, his wife of 27 years. In lieu of flowers, his family asks for donations to the Jeff and Lisa Cook Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness for Parkinson’s disease.
