Article: Rocker claims 'American Idol' title.(Main)

David Cook won "American Idol" Wednesday, his smooth showmanship defeating a favored young challenger who swept the judges' praise the previous night.

"This is amazing. Thank you," Cook said, after bending to the stage floor with emotion when the results were announced.

Defeated was David Archuleta , 17, a fresh-faced balladeer groomed most of his life for the stage by his jazz musician father. Archuleta was widely praised by the judges for slam-dank performances in the final round.

Cook, 25, who grew up outside of Kansas City, Mo., and most recently worked as a bartender while playing in clubs in Tulsa, Okla., was a rocker in the style of one ...

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