Jeff Cook

Jeffrey Alan Cook (August 27, 1949 – November 7, 2022) was an American country musician. He was best known for being a founding member of the band Alabama, in which he contributed to occasional lead vocals, guitar, fiddle, piano and other musical instruments.

For other people named Jeff Cook, see Jeff Cook (disambiguation).
Jeff Cook
Cook performing with Alabama in 2014
Cook performing with Alabama in 2014
Background information
Birth nameJeffrey Alan Cook
Born(1949-08-27)August 27, 1949
Fort Payne, Alabama, U.S.
DiedNovember 7, 2022(2022-11-07) (aged 73)
Destin, Florida, U.S.
GenresCountry, country rock
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, fiddle, piano
Years active1972–2022
Formerly ofAlabama

Life and career

Jeffrey Alan Cook was born in Fort Payne, Alabama, and was of English and Native American descent. He was a graduate of Fort Payne High School and Jacksonville State University. He obtained a broadcast engineer license three days after his fourteenth birthday, and worked at a local radio station as a disc jockey while still in high school.[1]

Cook co-founded the band Wildcountry, along with his cousins Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry, in 1972 (the name was changed to Alabama in 1977). He contributed lead as well as backing vocals, lead guitar, keyboard, and fiddle to the group's productions.[2] Since the band ceased active production and performance in 2004, Cook has formed the groups Cook & Glenn and the Allstar Goodtime Band, with which he performed.[3]

In addition to his performance work, Cook founded Cook Sound Studios, Inc., in his native Fort Payne, and also established radio station WQRX-AM, which he later sold, in adjacent Valley Head, Alabama.[1] Cook is also noted for his culinary endeavors, having operated a restaurant and marketed his own sauce.[4]

Cook endorsed the 2008 presidential candidacy of former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, and made appearances with the candidate in Alabama.[5]

Cook was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2019.

Personal life and death

Cook toured in 2022 with Alabama for their 50th Anniversary tour.[6] On April 11, 2017, Cook disclosed that he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease four years earlier. He stopped touring regularly with Alabama in 2018.[7] Cook died from complications of the disease in Destin, Florida, on November 7, 2022, at the age of 73.[8][9]

Solo discography
  • 2005: On Fire
  • 2008: Just Pickin'
  • 2009: Ashes Won't Burn
  • 2009: Jeff Cook Presents Christmas Joy
  • 2009: "Tribute to a Soldier" (single with Charlie Daniels and Ken Randolph)
  • 2010: Shaken... Not Stirred
  • 2011: 2 Rock 4 Country
  • 2011: Bits & Pieces / Odds & Ends
  • 2012: Shaken Not Stirred
  • 2018: Why Not Me with William Shatner

References
  1. Jeff Cook and the AGB: Jeff Cook biography
  2. Allmusic Biography: Alabama
  3. "Songwriters Honored with Special Concert," The Huntsville Times, September 13, 2007, p. 7G
  4. "Cook's 'Zesty' Hobby a Feature of Saturday Event," The Huntsville Times, July 25, 2007, p, 1C
  5. "Huckabee Tells Huntsville Crowd He'll Stay in Race," The Birmingham News blogs, February 2, 2008
  6. Raucoules, Gregory (February 15, 2022). "Alabama 50th Anniversary Tour coming to Knoxville". WATE 6 On Your Side. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  7. "Exclusive: Alabama member reveals Parkinson's diagnosis". USA TODAY. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
  8. "Jeff Cook, Alabama Co-Founder and Guitarist, Dead at 73". Rolling Stone. November 8, 2022.
  9. Matthew Leimkuehler (November 8, 2022). "Jeff Cook, co-founding member of country band Alabama, dies at 73". The Tennessean. Retrieved November 8, 2022.

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