A pair of singing Davids may have shared a finals round stage and a video game musical instrument commercial, but it was the real guitar hero that won out – as Gibson-toting David Cook struck a chord the majority of 97.5 million voters and was awarded the “American Idol” Season Seven championship title Wednesday night over baby faced teenager David Archuleta.

Cook, 25, overcome by emotion, momentarily turned away from a Nokia Theatre crowd of more than 7,000, as surprise changed to tears upon the announcement Wednesday night. The self-proclaimed “word nerd” was overwhelmed. Cook admitted, “I can’t find words to describe this” and simply, gracefully said “thank you.”

Just one evening earlier, it appeared that Cook had been out-dueled after songwriting tune “Dream Big” and cover of Collective Soul’s “The World I Know” received a lukewarm reception from show lead panelist Simon Cowell. The prudish Brit found Cook’s efforts “a bit lightweight” and “completely … the wrong song choice for you.”

In turn, Archuleta’s vocal blasts (Elton John’s “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” and John Lennon’s “Imagine”) drew raves.

But it was Cook, of Blue Springs, Mo., who gave a season full of innovative arrangements and searing performances, along with good sportsmanship and insight. During the finals week, Cook was a calming influence for Archuleta, the smiley balladeer from Murray, Utah.

The grown-up rocker’s actions had a similar affect on call-in voters; as Cook outdistanced the 17-year-old counterpart by 12 million votes, according to show host Ryan Seacrest.

Even Cowell was affected by Cook’s demeanor. Right before host Ryan Seacrest announced Cook as the next “American Idol,” oft-surly lead panelist issued an uncharacteristic apology to the sincere rocker from Missouri – for excessive criticism during the final performance show. Cowell described his Tuesday remarks to Cook were “verging on disrespectful.”

Cook defended Cowell’s viewpoint, even at its unpopular, edgy worst Tuesday. The calm, mature “Idol” hopeful said “I respect his opinion” while nodding his head to acknowledge the Brit.

In turn, Cowell objectively review replay footage. “When I went back home and watched it, it wasn’t quite so clear cut as we called it,” he said to the final two.

After two hours of grand finale activities from acts like former “Idol” winners Jordin Sparks and Carrie Underwood, rock icons Graham Nash and Bryan Adams, pop band OneRepublic, comedian Jimmy Kimmel and the show’s top 12 contestants, both Cook and runner-up crooner Archuleta were congratulated and praised.

“For the first time ever, I don’t really care who wins,” Cowell admitted, “I think you’ve both been terrific.” It was a stark contrast to Tuesday comments that heaped huge amounts of praise on Archuleta, saying he had “won the competition by a knockout.”

The only knockout was Cook’s finale performance with guest ZZ Top, where the Season Seven winner was at home centered between the pair of ‘80s rocker legends and power-stroking an “AC”-emblazoned Les Paul Custom six-string in the song’s lead role.

The characters are Cook’s way to acknowledge and offer moral support to brother Andrew Cook, who is suffering from cancer. The younger Cook wasn’t even going to audition – he accompanied his brother to the tryouts in Omaha, Neb., to support him and a producer talked him into giving it a try. After a sixteen-week contest journey, he wound up in the finals and the winner of a recording contract with X19 Entertainment, Ltd.

Archuleta and Cook were awarded matching Ford Escape hybrid SUVs for earning a berth in the finals.

Near the show’s end, a choked up and teary-eyed Cook turned toward his brother, to whom he is very close with and wryly said, “This is all his fault.”

Thanks to an older brother, “Idol’s” seventh season has its first rocker champion – David Cook, a real guitar hero.

The regular season may be over, but the 54-night “American Idols Live Tour 2008” starts up July 1 in Glendale, Ariz. Find out more by visiting their Web site for a date and location near you. Don’t miss it!

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