Country music artist Jeffrey Alan Cook – better known as Jeff Cook – has passed away at his home on Tuesday.
The 73-year-old musician who was best known for playing guitar and fiddle and co-founding the country band Alabama reportedly died at his home in Destin, Florida.
The tragic news was confirmed by his band’s representative, Don Murry Grubbs.
Cook, alongside his cousins Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen, saw eight of the band’s tracks hit the number one place on the country music charts. Some of Alabama’s top-performing hits include Mountain Music, Love In The First Degree, Tennessee River, and Feels So Right.
While the cause of death remains unclear, Cook opened up about his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis back in 2017.
“After I got the Parkinson’s diagnosis, people would quote the song to me and say, ‘No bad days.’ They write me letters, notes and emails and they sign ‘No Bad Days,’” he said at the time.
“I know the support is there. They join me. People I don’t know come up to me and say, ‘How ya feeling?’ You just got to live it every day and take it as it comes. Prayer does work. And I know there was a lot of praying going on.”
Now, after the country star’s sudden passing, countless fans and celebrities paid their tributes to the Hall of Famer.
“So sad to hear of the passing of Jeff Cook. I spent a lot of my life listening to him play guitar, what an iconic sound he had. I got a chance to perform with him multiple times over the years and I will never forget it,” country singer Jason Aldean said.
“RIP Mr. Jeff, you are a legend to many of us and your influence will be felt forever in country music.”
Country star Travis Tritt penned: “Sending out my deepest condolences to the family, friends and bandmates of Jeff Cook from @TheAlabamaBand. Such a great guy and one heckuva bass fisherman. He will be truly missed.”
Paying the late vocalist, guitarist, and fiddle player a tribute was also country singer-songwriter Kenny Chesney who said Jeff and his band served as his inspiration to pursue his career in music.
“Jeff Cook, and all of the guys in Alabama, were so generous with wisdom and fun when I got to tour with them as a young artist. They showed a kid in a T-shirt that country music could be rock, could be real, could be someone who looked like me,” he wrote.
Our thoughts are with Jeff’s family and friends.
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