Alabama has postponed the remaining dates on its 50th anniversary tour, including an Oct. 4 concert in Birmingham at the Legacy Arena at the BJCC.
The country band, which is based in Fort Payne, said lead singer Randy Owen, 69, has been suffering from health problems and needs time to heal.
A statement was posted on the band’s website this week:
"Country Music Hall of Fame group Alabama is postponing the remainder of its 50th Anniversary Tour due to lead singer Randy Owen’s ongoing complications with cluster migraines and vertigo. The group had hoped to continue its record-breaking 50-city tour, however, doctors have advised more time is needed for Owen to fully recover.
"Alabama bass player and vocalist Teddy Gentry released the following statement:
"The 50th Anniversary Tour has been very special to us. The support of the fans and their energy at all of our shows has led to some of the most fun we’ve ever had onstage. As disappointed as myself, Randy, and Jeff are to have to postpone this tour for all of our incredible fans, we know that Randy’s recovery is what is most important for everyone at this time. We would like to thank our fans, promoters, and venues and we look forward to seeing you all soon.
“Rescheduled dates for the tour will be announced in the coming weeks.”
Alabama also made announcements on social media, saying, “Our fans are everything to us so we wanted to be the ones to tell you and hope you understand.”
More than 20 shows were postponed, out of a total of about 50 on the band’s tour, according to Pollstar.
Nearly 30 dates were announced in December 2018, and the tour started on Jan. 10. Alabama added more shows later that month, including two stops in its home state, in Birmingham and Orange Beach. (The band canceled the latter date, set for May 9 at at The Wharf Amphitheater.)
Owen’s health problems caused the band to cancel six shows in July and August.
Founding member Jeff Cook, who has Parkinson’s disease, had planned to perform on the anniversary tour as much as he’s physically able, a publicist said. The guitarist and fiddler, 69, revealed his diagnosis in 2017.
Alabama was formed in 1969 in Fort Payne as Wildcountry by Owen, Gentry and Cook. The band changed its name to Alabama in 1977 and became one of the most successful groups in country music, peaking in the 1980s with multiplatinum albums and a slew of radio hits that included “Tennessee River,” “Mountain Music,” “Dixieland Delight,” “The Closer You Get,” “Song of the South,” “Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)” and many more.
The band continued to record and perform regularly until the early 2000s, playing to a devoted fan base. Alabama traveled on a high-profile farewell tour in 2003-2004, but returned to the stage several times over the years. One of the most notable shows was the 2011 Bama Rising benefit concert at the BJCC Arena in Birmingham. Alabama headlined the star-studded event, raising about $2.2 million for tornado relief in its home state.
Alabama reunited for a “Back to the Bowery” tour in 2013 and released a new album, “Southern Drawl,” two years later.