Toby Keith, one of the United States’ biggest country music superstars behind some of the biggest hits has died from cancer. He was only 62.
Keith died on Monday according to his publicist.
“Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5, surrounded by his family,” reads the statement on Keith website. “He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.”
Keith announced on his social media in 2022 that he had been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments for stomach cancer since fall 2021.
“So far, so good,” he said at the time. “I need time to breathe, recover and relax.”
Keith has been doing country music for over three decades with hits such as “Red Solo Cup,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!” and “Beer For My Horses,” a duet with Willie Nelson.
Keith’s breakout hit, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” debuted in 1993 and would go on to become the most-played country song of the decade, with more than 3 million plays on the radio.
Toby won many awards. He won the Academy of Country Music named him Male Vocalist of the Year in 2001. He was awarded Artist of the Decade at the American Country Awards in 2011, and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2021, Keith also became a recipient of the National Medal of Arts.
In all, Keith had 32 number-one singles and sold over 40 million albums. Fellow country music stars have sent their tributes.
“Saddle up the horses, Jesus, ’cause a true blue COWBOY just made his ride up to heaven!!!” Carrie Underwood wrote on Instagram. “Introduce him to all the Okies and sign that boy up for the choir!”
“Today is a sad day for Country music and its fans. Toby was a huge presence in our business and someone we all looked up to and respected,” said Jason Aldean in an Instagram post. “You and your music will be forever remembered, big man.”
“Too many rides in my old man’s car listening to Toby Keith,” said Zach Bryan in a post on X. “Really hard thing to hear. Rest in peace friend we love you.”
