Introduction:
Fans of legendary country supergroup Alabama were met with unexpected and concerning news this week as the band was forced to cancel two highly anticipated performances due to health issues affecting lead singer Randy Owen. The cancellations come at a particularly emotional time, as Alabama is currently in the middle of its extensive 50th Anniversary Tour, a milestone celebrating five decades of music, memories, and loyal fans.
Alabama had been scheduled to perform in Ontario, Canada, on Friday, followed by an appearance at the Big Sky Music Festival on Saturday. However, by Thursday morning, Owen realized he would not be physically able to take the stage. According to festival organizers and the band’s management, the 69-year-old singer is suffering from severe vertigo and migraine headaches, conditions that can significantly impact balance, vision, and overall functioning.
In a statement shared with Taste of Country, Alabama’s manager Tony Conway reassured fans that Owen is currently under a doctor’s care and receiving treatment. While the cancellations were disappointing, Conway emphasized that the decision was made out of concern for Owen’s health. The band also expressed hope that they will be able to return to both cities in the future and offered sincere apologies to fans who were looking forward to the shows.
What makes the situation more surprising is that just weeks earlier, during a mid-June performance at the Country Jam festival, there were no visible signs that Owen was struggling. Although Alabama is no longer as physically energetic as they were during their peak in the 1980s, Owen’s enthusiasm, voice, and connection with fans remained strong. Longtime members Teddy Gentry and the audience itself helped sustain the spirit that has defined Alabama for generations.
However, health challenges have not been new to the band in recent years. Jeff Cook, Alabama’s longtime guitarist and fiddler, was notably absent from that June performance. Cook has been battling Parkinson’s disease and now only travels and performs when his health permits. His condition has been another reminder that time, while it may pass, cannot diminish the band’s legacy.
Randy Owen himself has faced serious health battles before. In 2010, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, a fight he later revealed nearly claimed his life. In a 2019 interview with The Tennessean, Owen admitted he believed that year might be his last—but he overcame the illness and continued recording, touring, and giving back. Through Alabama’s Country Cares initiative, Owen has helped raise millions of dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, supporting children and families in need.
Despite the current setback, Alabama’s story is far from over. The band is expected to be inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame later this year, adding to their already impressive list of honors, including their place in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
As fans send well wishes and messages of support, one thing remains clear: Randy Owen’s strength, resilience, and dedication to music continue to inspire. While health comes first, the hope is that Alabama will soon return to the stage—where their legacy truly lives.