Introduction
Jeff Cook’s Final Interview: His Brave Words About the Disease That Took Him
Before his passing, country music legend Jeff Cook, founding member of Alabama, gave one final, heartfelt interview that now stands as a powerful reminder of courage in the face of adversity. For the first time, Jeff spoke openly about his battle with Parkinson’s disease, the condition he had quietly endured for years, even while continuing to perform for fans around the world.
“I didn’t want people to feel sorry for me,” Jeff said with a quiet smile. “I just wanted to keep playing. Music gave me purpose when my body started fighting against me.”
Diagnosed in 2012, Jeff kept his condition private for several years. As his symptoms progressed, he eventually stepped back from touring, but he never stopped making music — or inspiring those around him. In the interview, recorded just months before his death, Jeff reflected on his journey with raw honesty and grace.
“There were days I couldn’t hold the guitar right, days I couldn’t move like I used to,” he shared. “But the hardest part was knowing I couldn’t hide it anymore.”
Jeff spoke about the emotional toll the disease had taken — not just on him, but on his bandmates, his family, and the fans who had stood by him for decades. Yet, he never let it break his spirit.
“I didn’t lose to Parkinson’s,” he said. “It slowed me down, but it never took my love for life. Or my love for the music.”
In what would be one of his final public messages, Jeff left a note of hope: “If you’re going through something, don’t give up on the things that make you who you are. We’re all fighting something. Keep going.”
His words have since gone viral, sparking an outpouring of love and reflection across the country music world. Fans, fellow musicians, and even those battling illness themselves have found strength in his honesty and bravery.
Though Jeff Cook is no longer with us, his voice — in both music and message — lives on. And in his final interview, he gave us all a gift: a legacy not just of sound, but of strength.