Toby Keith, one of the most successful and influential country music artists of the past three decades, has died at the age of 62 after a long battle with stomach cancer.
His family announced his passing on social media on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, saying that he “fought his fight with grace and courage” and was surrounded by his loved ones.
Keith, who was born in Clinton, Oklahoma, on July 8, 1961, rose to fame in the early 1990s with his debut single “Should’ve Been a Cowboy”, which topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and became the most-played country song of the decade. He went on to release more than 20 albums and score more than 40 top 10 hits, including “How Do You Like Me Now?!”, “I Love This Bar”, “Beer for My Horses”, and “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)”.
Keith was known for his distinctive voice, his patriotic and often controversial lyrics, and his charismatic and confident stage presence. He was also a prolific songwriter, who wrote or co-wrote most of his songs and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015. He collaborated with many other artists, such as Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Clint Eastwood, and Jimmy Buffett, and influenced a generation of country stars, such as Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, and Brantley Gilbert.
Keith revealed his stomach cancer diagnosis in June 2022, after being diagnosed in the fall of 2021. He underwent various treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, and continued to perform until December 2023, when he played his last shows in Las Vegas. He also released his final album, Peso in My Pocket, in October 2023, which featured songs inspired by his illness and his faith.
The country music community and fans around the world have expressed their grief and condolences over Keith’s death, remembering him as a legend, an icon, and a friend. Reba McEntire, who shared the stage with Keith at the People’s Choice Country Awards in September 2023, said in an interview that she hoped he “rests in peace”. She added, “He was a great singer, a great songwriter, a great entertainer, and a great person.”
Keith is survived by his wife of 37 years, Tricia, and their three children, Krystal, Shelley, and Stelen, as well as his grandchildren and extended family.
A private funeral service will be held for the family, and a public memorial will be announced at a later date.
Keith’s family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Toby Keith Foundation, which supports children with cancer and their families.
