Toby Keith has passed away. The singer was 62 when he died at his home. Keith has been battling stomach cancer since 2021.
Keith’s family announced the heartbreaking news on social media.
“Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family,” a statement reads. “He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of the family at this time.”
— Toby Keith (@tobykeith) February 6, 2024
Born in Oklahoma, Keith worked first in the oil fields, following in the footsteps of his father. He also attempted to be a professional football player, before a friend and fan gave a label executive Keith’s demo, and his country music career began, and quickly took off.
Keith released more than 20 albums and had dozens of hit singles, including “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American),” “American Soldier” and more. His most recent No. 1 single was a live version of “Don’t Let The Old Man In,” a song he first wrote and recorded for the 2018 film, The Mule.
In 2022, Keith revealed he had been quietly battling stomach cancer, before going public with the news.
“Last fall I was diagnosed with stomach cancer,” Keith said at the time. “I’ve spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery. So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax. I am looking forward to spending this time with my family. But I will see the fans sooner than later. I can’t wait.”
Keith, who received both the People’s Choice Country Icon Award and the BMI Icon Award last year, seemed to be getting better. He returned to performing with three sold-out shows in Las Vegas in December, after a lengthy hiatus to focus on his health.
“You know what I’ve been doing,” Keith said when announcing the Vegas shows. “I’ve been on the ol’ roller coaster. But Almighty’s riding shotgun. He’s letting me drive. I’m making a big announcement. I’m doing a little deal — I thought I’d start in the great Las Vegas … I was going to sit around here and do nothing like I have been, or get up and go outside and ‘Don’t Let The Old Man In.”
Keith also hinted he had planned to tour in 2024 as well, while still receiving treatment for his cancer.
“It’s on the board,” Keith told Taste of Country Nights, On Demand in November. “They have got a great plan together, and we’ve built a new set, and we’re getting the trucks and buses fired up. Our plan is to go forward, don’t let this stuff define our future — let’s go.”
Keith worked diligently to overcome his cancer, both with chemotherapy and holistic treatments.
“I feel pretty good. It’s a rollercoaster all the time with this stuff,” he said last fall on the Sellout Crowd podcast. “I have the resources financially and otherwise to get the best treatments I can get. They’re taking great care of me and I’m getting all the latest stuff you can get. In fact, I’m going tomorrow to Florida to see another guy down there, that’s got some other kind of treatments, and I’m trying them all. I’m throwing the kitchen sink at it.”
Last month, Keith said he was surprised at the outpouring of love from his fans after revealing his illness.
“The love that poured out from the whole world when I announced it was overwhelming at first,” Keith told News on 6. “I didn’t know anybody really cared that much.”
Keith is survived by Tricia, his wife of almost 40 years, along with daughters Shelley and Krystal, and son, Stelen.
Everything Nash extends our deepest condolences to Keith’s family and loved ones.
