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Singer Toby Keith dies at 62
The music world mourns the loss of a true legend as Toby Keith, one of the icons of country music, has passed away. His official website and social media accounts confirmed the news on Tuesday morning. After 18 months of battling silently, he revealed that he had been fighting stomach cancer. He was 62 years old.
In a brief statement, it was mentioned that the beloved country singer passed away on Monday night surrounded by his family. According to what was said, “He fought his battle with grace and courage.”
Toby Keith announced in June 2022 that he was living with cancer and had spoken about his “roller coaster” experience with treatment back in September last year.
You’re up and down, you know, and you have wonderful days as well. It’s always 60 from zero and 60 back to zero, but I feel good today,” Keith told E! News prior to receiving the Country Icon Award at the People’s Choice Country Awards.
Throughout his illness, Keith continued recording and performing, even showcasing live performances in Las Vegas for three nights in December. According to his official website, appearing slim but in a good voice, Keith sang many of his 32 number-one hits and 42 top-10 hits.
“Three sold-out shows in Vegas was a great way to end the year,” he posted on Instagram.
In June 2022, Keith mentioned receiving chemotherapy, radiation treatments, and surgery. He had informed the Oklahoman newspaper last year that the tumor had shrunk by a third.
Born and raised in Clinton, Oklahoma, and coming of age in Moore, Oklahoma, Keith emerged as a country artist in the early 1990s and became synonymous with the style. Estimates vary, but he reportedly sold between 25 million and 30 million records in the United States alone, with his songs garnering over 10 billion digital streams.
His most recent album, “100% Songwriter,” was released in November.
His first single with a self-penned title, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” was written in a motel bathroom in Dodge City, Kansas. Taken from his eponymous debut album, it came out in 1993 and topped the country charts in both the United States and Canada, becoming one of the most played songs on the radio in the 1990s and beyond.
His other hit songs include “Beer for My Horses,” a duet with Willie Nelson, “I Love This Bar,” and “Red Solo Cup.”
Toby Keith leaves behind a legacy that will continue to resonate in the hearts of country music fans worldwide. His contributions to the genre are immeasurable, and his memory will forever live on through his timeless music.