Jeff Cook Was Unable to Remove Guitar without Help during Hall of Fame Induction – He Gave Emotional Speech

• Jeff Cook gave a “great speech” during one of his last concerts.

• “This disease robs you of your coordination, your balance, and causes tremors,” he told about his symptoms after he revealed his illness to the public.

Musical artist Jeff Cook had a brain disorder that affected his mobility. As a performer, the condition hindered his way of playing musical instruments.

Country music star Jeff Cook was inducted into the National Fiddler Hall of Fame in November 2017 at the River Spirit Event Center during the Alabama concert.

Country singer Jeff Cook of the band Alabama speaks during the debut of the “Alabama: Song of the South” exhibition at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on August 22, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee ┃Source: Getty Images

The member of the band Alabama was well-known for his impressive guitar skills and fiddle licks. Following his big night of recognition, fans commended him for his award on social media.

“Congratulations, Jeff, for your award, very nice,” one Facebook user commented. Another praised him for his “speech,” while one person said that Cook was overly “talented” and showcased it “by playing your many instruments.” “Always know that you have brought joy to many people with your music!” the user added.

During his acceptance speech, he joked about his abilities saying that he “always felt” confident that he was an exceptional guitar player: “From one fiddle player to another, I always felt I was a pretty good guitarist.” Cook started playing lead guitar and the keyboard when he was 13.

Following his induction as a Hall of Famer, the music legend stopped touring with his music group due to health issues. The Alabama native had Parkinson’s disease that derailed his career. Although he could not go on tour with the band, he encouraged them to continue without him saying, “the music to stop or the party to end.”

Cook Lost the Fight against the Disease after 10 Years

Sadly, Cook lost his battle with Parkinson’s disease a decade later. He was 73 years old when he died on November 7, 2022. Parkinson’s disease is a nervous system disorder affecting movements and causing tremors.

Cook publicly revealed his condition in 2017. A rep for his band confirmed his passing to the Tennessean, revealing that he died at his home in Destin, Florida.

The vocalist stepped away from the music scene on April 29, 2017, as the disease took its toll on his body. As a result, he divulged that he became overwhelmed doing what he did best:

“This disease robs you of your coordination, your balance and causes tremors. This made it extremely frustrating to try and play guitar, fiddle, or sing. I’ve tried not to burden anyone with the details of my condition because I do not want the music to stop or the party to end.”

Cook added that though he was not retiring, he had to listen to his body. He said it was about time he took some time off in order to heal.

The “Song of the South” singer first noticed something wrong when he failed to cast his fishing lure. After that, he struggled to hit his guitar notes.

Jeff Cook of Alabama performs on stage at The Fox Theatre on April 13, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia ┃Source: Getty Images

Ultimately, he believed that he might have struck a nerve, while his bandmates figured he might have suffered a stroke. However, Cook’s doctor put everything else into perspective when he suspected that he might have had Parkinson’s disease.

The guitarist took a test, and the results confirmed what the medical professional had said. Upon learning the devastating news, the Hollywood star said he felt “empty.”

What Happened to the Country Band Alabama?

Cook first developed a love for music as a teenager. While in high school, he also dabbled in radio, working as a local DJ and later owning radio and TV stations.

Subsequently, the future music icon enrolled at Gadsden State Community College, where he studied electronic technology and loved how working in radio fused with his interest in music and electronics.

After that discovery, he and his two cousins, guitarist Randy Owen and bassist Teddy Gentry, formed a band in the early ’60s before officially co-founding their well-known music group, Alabama, ten years later.

Over the years, Alabama released 36 No.1 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, including “Mountain Music” and “Dixieland Delight,” among others.

The band went on its farewell tour in 2003 and 2004. Owen revealed in 2011 that they all needed time to rest because they were worn out from their last show.

The group later reunited that same year following a tornado strike in their home state, hoping to raise money through a benefit concert. They ended up raising $2 million for the cause after that; they realized that they missed performing together.

Following this realization, the band started touring again in 2013 and released their first album since 2007, “Southern Drawl.”

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