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Alex Cooley Obituary
The Atlanta music scene would not be what it is today without Cooley, beginning with the Atlanta International Pop Festival in 1969 and continuing up until his death earlier today in Florida at age 74.
Read more on the AJC Music Scene blog
Memories and Condolences
for Alex Cooley
198 Entries
David Huslig
February 20, 2023
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Punkin Pistolero
December 20, 2021
Thanks for the wonderful music. I named my son Alex :)
Gail Winfrey Winston
June 2, 2019
Oh I grew up on the live music in Atlanta...WONDERFUL times that have never been better. Ever.
knows where yonder is!
david summerlin
October 23, 2018
produced it
david summerlin
October 23, 2018
david summerlin
October 23, 2018
guest - arti
david summerlin
October 23, 2018
1968 semper fi
david summerlin
October 23, 2018
annd here
david summerlin
October 23, 2018
andd here
david summerlin
October 23, 2018
worked it
david summerlin
October 23, 2018
david summerlin
October 23, 2018
my G+ community
david summerlin
October 23, 2018
stage mgr.
david summerlin
October 23, 2018
david summerlin
October 23, 2018
david summerlin
October 23, 2018
i worked it
david summerlin
October 23, 2018
i worked it
david summerlin
October 23, 2018
david summerlin
October 23, 2018
david summerlin
October 23, 2018
alex cooley watchin over his fest. my 1st!
david summerlin
October 20, 2018
if it wasn't for his phylosafee, on how you do business, no matter what business it is, you establish, honesty,integrety,a handshake,don't use cheap materials and do it ryte the first time? i didn't know if his way was ryte? thank god it was, got me thru 32yrs. as a pro. and retired 2007~NO REGRETS*****
david summerlin
October 15, 2018
i worked a lot of shows, especially when john wayne was there! honesty, integrety and do it right the first time!! i lived by it for 40+yrs. in the biz*****
david summerlin
October 15, 2018
david summerlin
October 15, 2018
worked shows
david summerlin
October 15, 2018
david summerlin
October 15, 2018
david summerlin
October 15, 2018
worked
david summerlin
October 15, 2018
worked the show
david summerlin
October 15, 2018
first met when i worked this show, t-shirt vendor
david summerlin
October 15, 2018
Darrell Smith
September 13, 2018
You was a great boss thank you for a job and the truck you gave me Lee smith
Thomas Fitchett
May 31, 2018
As one of the first groups to arrive in Vega Baja a month before the mar y sol festival ( orange sunshine in hands) , it is with great sadness I just heard of Alexs departure from earth!! I will always be indebted to him for putting that many loving, peaceful and beautiful people together in Vega Baja for music, peace and love. Forever you will be in my heart and soul!
April 23, 2016
He was the finest promoter I ever worked with. A wonderful human. Ric Ronveaux Radio and cable promotions specialist
Alan Grimm
April 14, 2016
I only just learned that this wonderful man promoted so many wonderful live music acts. I'm 64 years old now but when I was 18 yrs. young I attended Atlanta Pop Fest 2. I remember just like it was yesterday Jimi Hendrix playing the Star Spangled Banner to the gigantic fireworks display behind him on 4th of July evening 1970. It was awesome. I still talk about it to this day. As a matter of fact I just shared the experience with a neighbor 3 days ago Thank you Alex from the bottom of my heart.
Patty Biegun
March 2, 2016
It has been decades since I last saw Alex. My husband and I ushered at his rock concerts. He was always so nice to us. He was larger than life and someone you never forget. People come and go in ones life, and it is easy to forget the dull ones, the common ones. Alex was the kind who shines forever in ones memory. He will be missed, but he will live forever in the hearts and minds of those he crossed paths with.
Sweet Georgia
Zachary Davis
February 14, 2016
I know you are looking down on us folks who are trying to continue what you started and managed so well. Love to you man...
Sam N
January 20, 2016
My deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends. May his love for music and good memories provide solace for everyone during this challenging time and may God provide you with the assurance that we will soon experience a time with no more death and see our loved ones again. (John 17:3)
Coach Miller
January 20, 2016
Thanks Alex
Allan Nassau
January 10, 2016
Alex Rest In Peace.
You brought so many great concerts to Atlanta while I was growing up and living there. My first concert ever was one you promoted, Alice Cooper at the old Auditorium in 1971.
From 1974-1976 I practically lived at the Electric Ballroom.
You helped stoke my love of music by the acts you brought to town that I saw and heard. Later I would actually become a Tour Manager working for The Allman Brothers, INXS, Chaka Khan etc.
My condolences to the Cooley family.
Allan Nassau
Las Vegas, NV
Dana Coon
December 22, 2015
Lots of great memories came out of Alex Cooley's Ballroom best concert place ever in Atlanta and the shows I saw there for $3.00
that was the ticket price back in the day.
Alex was the "PROMOTER" of shows in Atlanta and he made sure the fans were going to have a great time..
Alex will be missed in the music world but now he has gone onto a "HIGHER GROUND" to find better music. My deepest condolences to his family along with my thoughts and prayers..
Dana Coon
Lilburn GA
Winola Swinks
December 22, 2015
You were a big influence in my adult life. Big names that you brought to Hotlanta and small names you helped climb to the top! Thank you Alex. You will be missed!
"Live From The Road" Atl, Ga run July 7,8,9 1976
Susan Torbush
December 20, 2015
Susan Torbush
December 20, 2015
Alex Cooley was a great man I was blessed to know. He was a one of my heroes promoting my first concert 7/9/74 "One From The Road" my 12th yr bday present from my Daddy. It sealed the deal, I was moving to Atlanta, Ga. Over 20 yrs later I became aware of his promotion of the Atlanta Pop Fests in Hampton and Byron Ga featuring many music icons eg Jimi, ABB.
Also, Alex's Animal Rescue efforts helped inspire my own feral cat rescue org.
Alex was a visionary and a wonderful person I am proud to have met and connected with on FB years ago. This is a bit late as Alex passed almost 3 weeks ago, I am grieving my best friend's passing this past Oct 1st and have been distracted from current events.
Peace Love and Light to Alex's wife and other family and close friends.
Respectfully, Susan Torbush
Star
December 14, 2015
You will be missed old friend. I will never forget your kindness.
December 14, 2015
You will forever be missed. Now you organize the music greats in heaven!
CA
December 14, 2015
I met Alex when I worked for Affairs to Remember caterers. What I man! I was impressed with his kindness from day 1! I was fortunate enough to have he and Virginia befriend me and will always be grateful.
Not only did he offer me some of the best rock and roll memories I will ever have; he and Virginia helped me professionally. I will never forget Being a part of the VIP catering for Music Midtown, Chastain Park and The Roxy theatre as well as Concert Southern. All due to their generosity. I will never forget their generosity or the good times we had, just talking, eating, or reliving the rock and roll history that he was such a part of.
Thank you Alex and Virginia. Virginia, you took such good care of him, I feel your loss. God bless you Virginia. Thanks for sharing Alex with the world. He was one of a kind !
Cindi Anderson
Formerly of Atlanta
Now at 1314 Hopkins Drive
Pulaski, VA 24301
Ronnie Goings
December 13, 2015
Alex a fellow Grady Grey Knight Friend who Rocked the World with Rock n' Roll with Many Great Talents. You made it Happen for Many, Many Music Lovers. I enjoyed our lunches back in the Sixties at what you called the "Chow Hall" -- Mary Macks Tea Room. My condolences to the Cooley Family. Rest In Peace My Friend.
carolyn
December 9, 2015
The Family,
My sincere condolence for your loss. May the God of loving kindness continue to be with you and your family during your time of sorrow.
Tyeka McGuire
December 8, 2015
Sorry for your loss. May you have strength for today and hope for tomorrow. Matt. 5:4
December 8, 2015
My deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Alex Cooley. May you be comforted by his loving memories and the love of God.
Dr. Patricia Burgess
December 8, 2015
When I married Charles Burgess, I met Alex Cooley, his first cousin. Over the decades, I, like so many others came to love and appreciate this wonderful man. He was so good to my mother-in-law, his mother's sister. His love and care for his mother was a wonderful thing to observe. The gregarious spirit of Alex Cooley was contagious. My children came to worship him because of his music and were thrilled in his presence. He was so good to them. My memories of Alex are special--his warmth, caring concern, his hearty laugh--and will stay with me the rest of my life. He will be missed. With love,
B Stewart
December 8, 2015
So sorry for your loss! I can't tell you how many Alex Cooley concerts I have been to in my life. Music is a wonderful gift and he shared it abundantly!
June Cooley
December 7, 2015
To Alex's family-I am so sorry for your loss.George Cooley, my husband of 59 years, one of Alex's first cousins died Dec.5, 2014 after a long illness. I never met Alex but knew of him and his concerts and know he was well known and well liked. People with his talent can make a big difference to the whole world.
May God Bless you and your family at this
difficult time. I know he will be truely
missed.
June Cooley
411 Truelove Rd.
Blairsville, GA 30512
Jimi Bradford
December 7, 2015
Remembering Always. the Man that made the Music Scene I grew up in.RIP Alex
LAST SHOW ! LYNYRD SKYNYRD
Mark Crossland
December 6, 2015
Thank you Alex for all the Memory's !
Rock and Roll Heaven has you now !
Enjoy the after life !With Jimi , Janis, Ronnie !
Jeff Tidwell
December 5, 2015
Thanks for the many great memories! Prayers to your family and many friends, you will be missed.
John Taylor
December 5, 2015
Thanks for all the music Alex, you changed my life. Now you can hang out with so many of the artists you brought to Atlanta, Hampton, and Byron that have passed on before. Rest In Peace Alex.
Carey Tancer
December 5, 2015
My thoughts and prayers to all the family and friends. You will be greaty missed by us all. Thanks for all the memories.
Carey Tancer
December 5, 2015
My deepest condolences to all the family and friends. You will be greatly missed by us all.
David Bowman
December 5, 2015
R.I.P. Alex Cooley. Thanks for all you gave us. Did't hardly miss a show in the 70's...
Virginia Donahue
December 5, 2015
Dear Mrs. Cooley,
I do not have an address to send this to. But I have had a card sitting on my desk for a few years now, where I wanted to write to Alex to thank him for the dog we got from him. It was roughly 25 years ago that my sister-in-law Maggie told us of the stray he rescued at his mountain home, and the litter of puppies. Both Maggie and her brother/my husband and I each took a puppy from the litter. Maggie's cute little Ivy didn't live as long, but I had my Otis for 14 years. I thank him for rescuing these animals, and for sharing one with me. I think Otis died probably 9 or 10 years ago, and I've meant ever since then to try to find an address to write. Sorry I was not able to thank him before he passed away. I hope he'd be pleased to know that in the years since, I've taken 3 more dogs in off the street, including one just a month ago. Cheers to his example, and may many people follow it. God bless and comfort you at this time.
Most sincerely,
Virginia Donahue
of Largo, FL
Denise Taylor Word
December 5, 2015
Gone too soon, Alex Cooley. You influenced the direction my life took and I am thankful for the care and wisdom you used in your endeavors. Though we only spoke a few times, your efforts were personally meaningful and I appreciated your attention. May you rest in peace. You will be missed.
Taylor Hoynes
December 5, 2015
Virgina, so sorry to hear about Alex. I always enjoyed working with him. Praying for you and family,God Bless
Taylor
nanci williams
December 4, 2015
There will never be another Alex Cooley. He knew how to make it happen with style, flair, and down home professionalism. He knew what was hot and hip before anyone else woke up. I was lucky enough to have worked for and with him in the mid 70s as his caterer and poster/sign/graphic designer. He was a true gentleman and a man of his word. The years that I worked with him and his staff were the best I can remember. Through later years, I could honestly say that he was a good friend. He always had time to visit even after I moved on to other work.
His talent and ability to create such a vast, vital, and rewarding music community in Atlanta and elsewhere will never be duplicated. He KNEW MUSIC!
I will miss him. He gave me a lot of wonderful memories and treasured back stage passes and ticket stubs!
Thank you, Alex!
With regards and thoughts to Virginia and family.
December 4, 2015
RIP Alex, and Thanks for the memories, patience and kindness you offered to a greenhorn promoter like me back in the day.
~Lee B.
Ron Herbert
December 3, 2015
Alex was the first promoter that gave me a break in the Concert Business ... We booked Curtis Mayfield at the Atlanta Civic Center. ... RIP Alex......God Bless you and your Family!!!
December 3, 2015
Remembering back to the 70's brother, playing some small shows here and there, working on new stuff and having a ball. I will miss you very much, but I know your up there promoting still.
Love ya brother,
boomer
Michael Adams
December 3, 2015
Thanks for Hampton and byron time of my life rip alex
Alicia Sanders Morrissey
December 3, 2015
I don't have a single ticket stub that does not have Alex Cooley's name on it or Concert/Southern.
Thanks for the contribution you made and facilitating some of the best times of my life
Tom Corley
December 3, 2015
I was running tickets to outlets in the 70's, in Birmingham, AL. I would beg Alex each time he came to town, for a job. He finally told me to come on over. The first thing I did for him was check for counterfeit tickets for a Rolling Stones Concert at the Fox Theatre. From there I learned to settle Boxoffice from Frank, the company's internal "accountant". Then Alex opened the a club in Buckhead that we refurbished from an old movie theater. This was post Electric Ballroom on Peachtree. Opening week we promoted/produced Waylon, Santana, Atlanta Rhythm Section...etc. I owe having a career in the music business for over 30 years to Alex. Waylon hired me after leaving that club and I have worked in/from Nashville ever since. God rest Alex Cooley. He WAS the Bill Graham of the South. No if, ands, or buts.......I am thankful to have known him.
December 3, 2015
I was blessed to be one of the first employees of the Concerts/South promotion company with Peter Conlon and Alex Cooley. Alex was the quintessential southern gentleman. He was kind and generous and sensitive. Always a kind word...
I am sorry that having lived out of town for the last 17 years, I hadn't seen him and hearing of his passing is incredibly sad to me.
He will be missed.
Willynda Robinson
December 3, 2015
Remember meeting Alex at Sarah and Alfred Cooley's house when I went to visit with my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Richardson. He was a wonderful man. Thinking of friends and family. Willynda Richardson Robinson, Cairo, GA, formerly Conyers and Decatur, GA.
Steve Jones
December 3, 2015
I didn't know Mr. Cooley personally, but I have him to thank for so many great concert memories, including from the first Music Midtown. Thank you for giving so many of us some great experiences and the opportunity to hear music we love in person.
J
December 3, 2015
Thanks for first loving the music and for bringing those who make the music to us.
So much of what you did was before the easy music sharing we have now. You opened so many of us to many different kinds of music - reggae at the Electric Ballroom stands out to me.
What great times. All kinds of people brought together to see the music makers.
And you didn't stop and you didn't get stuck. You kept the music flowing.
What a show you can put together in Heaven.
December 3, 2015
You gave me the music experiences of my youth: Allman Brothers; Thermos Greenwood at Great Southeaast; Steely Dan at Ballroom just to name a few. You are well remembered. Thank you.
RWW
Jimi Marlar
December 3, 2015
Alex Cooley You will be missed !!! Thanks for the memories !!!
Joyce Michno
December 2, 2015
We Listened to the Music!!!!
Steve Moore
December 2, 2015
Mr. Cooley,
God Bless you!! You inspired us all!!
Jeffrey Bolton
December 2, 2015
Thanks for the memories.
Darlene Brogdon
December 2, 2015
RIP
Donna Upton
December 2, 2015
I loved his music when I was growing up. Rest in peace.
Sencireour Lee
December 2, 2015
May you rest in peace.
Nelson Zapata
December 2, 2015
I was lucky enough to meet this local legend a few years ago in the waiting room of a doctor's office in Emory .We talked music for a few minutes, I didn't want to bother him too much.
When I friended him on Facebook a couple months ago, I thanked him for bringing Jimi Hendrix to the Atlanta Pop Festival back in '70. I'm glad I got to do that. "Atlanta had some good times because of you, Mr. Cooley. You'll be missed".
Karen gRIGGS
December 2, 2015
Alex was one of the best promoters I had the pleasure of knowing! I enjoyed working with him and for him at the Ballroom before I moved on to Concerts West. My deepest sympathy to the family. RIP Alex.
Cindy Cathey
December 2, 2015
Alex Cooley was rock and roll in Atlanta in the the late sixties and early seventies...I have many tkt stubbs from Alex Cooley Presents...he was the music of Atl. I will always remember him when I hear the great music of my era. A great loss... My deepest sympathies go out to his family.
Shelia Brinkley
December 2, 2015
Going to the Electric ballroom was always special. My husband and I were at the first Music Midtown. We are thankful and blessed to have Mr Cooley in the South to promote and give music lovers like ourselves places to enjoy music. He will be missed.
Kathy Wike Mullins
December 2, 2015
Thank you so much for the great memories I will forever have.RIP Alex Cooley
December 2, 2015
Alex Cooley hired me to photo 97' MusicMidtown,with Peter Conlon,only later to intro me to Eric Clapton: He will be missed!Peter [email protected] BTW:Our prayers to his family &friends !!!!!!!!!
guy goodman
December 2, 2015
Alex was a dear friend of mine and a fine gentleman. I will miss him greatly. His contributions to the city of Atlanta are quantum.
Godspeed Alex......
Tom King
December 2, 2015
Worked fox Alex as police security for many years. Never met a more gentle gentleman. RIP my old friend. Tom King
Jimmy Dean Brooks
December 2, 2015
Annie Bell
December 2, 2015
Thanks for your incredible legacy! RIP, Alex!
Jimmy Dean Brooks
Jimmy Brooks
December 2, 2015
I Have Many Many Great Memories Of Alex Cooley. He Was A Great Man, He Will Be Missed By Many. JDB !!
Christine Costello
December 2, 2015
RIP Alex Cooley. You opened my eyes and ears to music that I adore to this day.
Sean Ryder
December 2, 2015
Ever since I moved to Atlanta in 1978, I've heard Alex Cooley's name and it's on a good many ticket stubs that I've collected over the years along with the great Peter Conlon. I went to every one of the first 10 Music Midtown shows from '94 on. It was the best ticket in town for the price. $30 for 3 days of music, and the price hardly changed over the years. So much music to choose from over a 3 day period. It was Alex's and Peter's vision that brought the music to the masses and I will forever be grateful to both of them. If there's an afterlife, you know it's going to be full of some great gigs now. Rest in Peace Alex.
Scott Cooley
December 2, 2015
Thanks for the music cuz!
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