While some suspect Alabama band member Jeff Cook dies of cancer he was a victim of Parkinson’s disease. Jeff Cook died due to complications of the disease.
Alabama is an American country band based in Fort Payne, Alabama formed in 1969. The group was founded by a family of cousins and was initially called Wildcountry.
The band saw its breakthrough following the release of its first single Tennessee River through RCA Records. It is the group’s first song to top the Billboard Hot Country single chart.
Titled the “Most Successful Band in Country Music History”, Alabama has over 41 country songs that have topped the Billboard charts and have sold over 75 million records.
The band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2004 but reunited later in 2010, and continued to release 3 more studio albums.
Alabama Band Jeff Cook Cause Of Death
Who Died From The Band Alabama? Jeff Cook from Alabama died on November 8, 2022, at the age of 73.
Cook publicly disclosed on April 11, 2017, that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2014 after he was criticized by the fans for potential substance abuse during one of the tours.
While the disease isn’t fatal on its own, it does increase the risk of death from pneumonia or previously underlying conditions.
Following his degrading health conditions, Jeff stopped touring with the band in 2018 and ultimately died at this vacation home in Destin Florida.
Cook’s death sparked lots of condolence and heartbreak within the community. His cousin Randy said in a statement via Billboard.
I’m thankful we got to create music together for over 50 years! I’m hurt in a way I can’t describe! To Lisa, thanks for loving him and being there for him to the end. Play on, Jeff. Love you!
Alabama Band Original Members
Original Alabama Band Members are Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, and Jeff Cook. The group was a family trio consisting of three cousins formed in 1969.
Randy Owens
Randy Yeuell Owen is the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the country rock band.
Raised in Alabama, the singer dropped out of high school but later graduated from Fort Payne High Scholl in 1969. He also earned an English degree from Jacksonville State University later on.
Apart from group work, he also made his name as a solo artist. Randy released his debut solo studio album One on One in November 2008, which charted at #77 on US Billboard 200.
Teddy Gentry
Teddy Wayne Gentry serves as a bassist and supporting vocalist for the iconic country band Alabama.
Born in Fort Payne, at an early age, Teddy moved to a nearby mountain accompanied by his mom to live with his grandfather, Paw Paw, who had a 60-acre cotton farm.
After graduating from high school, he started to pursue music professionally. However, he had to work many jobs to make a living in the early phase of the band.
Jeff Cook
Jeffrey Alan Cook was a versatile musician. He played as a lead guitarist, fiddle, keyboards, and various other musical instruments for the country band.
Like his cousin, Jeff graduated from Fort Payne High School and attended Jacksonville State University.
Soon after his 14th birthday he received his broadcast engineer license and worked as a DJ while attending high school simultaneously.
During the band’s hiatus, Jeff performed alongside Cook & Gleen and Allstar Goodtime Band, a band that he founded.
How Old Is Alabama The Band?
Alabama was formed in Fort Payne, Alabama in 1969. As of now, the band has been around for 54 years old.
Initially named Wildcountry, the group performed at various bars in the Southeastern states in the early 1970s. Then they began writing their own lyrics and started composing songs.
The band released their then self-titled debut studio album, Wildcountry, in 1976 followed by a second album Deuces Wild a year later.
As for the band members’ ages, all of the three original lineups are past 70 years old. The frontman Randy Owen was born on December 13, 1949. He is currently 73 years old.
Similarly, his cousin Teddy Gentry is the youngest of the trio, who was born on January 22, 1952. The bassist is currently 71 years old.
Jeff Cook was born on August 27, 1949. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s’ disease in 2013 and died at the age of 73 on November 7, 2022.
Alabama Band Greatest Hits Of All Time
Alabama hit country songs include 1. Song of the South 2. I’m in a Hurry (And Don’t Know Why) 3. Mountain Music and more.
Their first album as Alabama titled, My Home’s in Alabama, spawned four singles, two of which topped the Country Billboard charts. They are:
- Tennessee River
- Why Lady Why
Tennessee River started a trend that saw all their singles in the 1980s top the Country Billboard Charts. Among them, the most successful ones, and their certifications, were:
- Feels So Right – Gold
- Mountain Music – Platinum
- Dixieland Delight – Platinum
- Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler) – Gold
- If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band) – Platinum
- Song of the South – 2x Platinum
Unlike the 80s, only 5 of their songs went #1 in the 90s. Among them, one went Platinum.
- Jukebox in My Mind
- Forever’s as Far as I’ll Go
- Down Home
- I’m in a Hurry (And Don’t Know Why) – Platinum
- Reckless
Though the group kept churning out music after, their relevancy gradually dimmed, and they eventually went on their first hiatus in 2004.
Their last song to chart on the Hot 100 was 1999’s God Must Have Spent More Time on You featuring ‘N Sync at #29, and their last song to chart on the Country Charts was 2010’s Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way at #53.
Alabama Band Members Net Worth
Jeff Cook net worth is estimated to be around $40 million. Aside from music, Jeff also was an entrepreneur who owned a music studio.
As a group, Alabama sold over 75 million records to this date. Their discography comprises 26 studio albums, among which 7 have been certified multi-platinum in the United States, while 10 others have achieved Gold or Platinum certification.
As for the other two members, Randy Owen has an estimated net worth of $50 million, the majority of which came from his role as a frontman in the country band and also as a solo artist.
As a founder of Country Cares for Saint Jude Kids, Randy has contributed to raising more than $800 million for cancer research at St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital.
On the other hand, bassist and singer, Teddy Gentry has an estimated net worth of $5 million.
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