Introduction:
Jeff Cook, co-founding member of the legendary country band Alabama, lived a remarkable life rooted in music, innovation, and perseverance. Born in Fort Payne, Alabama, on August 27, 1949, he began playing lead guitar, keyboards and fiddle at the young age of 13. From his early working days as a teenage radio DJ to becoming one of country music’s most influential multi-instrumentalists, his story is one of inspiration and heart.
Triumphs in music
In the late 1960s and 1970s, Cook, along with his cousins Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen, formed Wildcountry—later renamed Alabama in 1977—to bring a fresh blend of country, rock and pop into the mainstream. With Cook’s dazzling guitar and fiddle work, the band achieved an unprecedented run of successes: 27 No. 1 hits and multi-platinum albums during their peak era.
Cook was noted not only for his incredible versatility—playing guitar, keyboards, fiddle, mandolin and more—but also for helping to shape the sound of southern country music.
Life beyond the stage
While music was always his first love, Cook’s interests extended into electronics, radio and community development. He built Cook Sound Studios in Fort Payne and held a broadcast license in his teens. He was also named Alabama’s State Fishing Ambassador—an emblem of his deep connection to his home state and the outdoors. 
Health battle and legacy
In 2012 Cook was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, publicly revealing it in 2017. This condition gradually forced him to step back from touring and performing with Alabama, though his spirit remained unbroken. He passed away on November 7, 2022, at the age of 73 in Destin, Florida, surrounded by loved ones.
His death marked the end of an era—but his musical legacy lives on. As members of his band have said, the music doesn’t stop simply because a player steps away.
A personal and lasting message
Cook once said: “I’m not calling it quits—but sometimes our bodies dictate what we have to do.”
This statement reflects his attitude: resilient, humble and always grateful for the music and the fans. His musical gifts, down-to-earth nature and dedication to community make him a figure worth remembering—not just for what he did on stage, but for how he lived.