Country music legend Toby Keith has died at the age of 62, according to a statement on his social media platforms.
“Toby Keith passed away peacefully last night, February 5th, surrounded by his family. He fought his battle with grace and courage. Please respect his family’s privacy at this time,” the message read.
The singer is survived by his wife Tricia Lucas and their three children, daughters Shelley Covel Rowland, singer Krystal Keith and son Stelen. He also had four grandchildren.
Earlier this month, the singer opened up about his battle with stomach cancer in an interview with 9News. The “Should've Been a Cowboy” singer was first diagnosed in 2021.
“I went through all the chemotherapy, radiation and surgery and got to the point where I was comfortable with what happened.” “I took full care of it and was definitely in one good location,” said Keith.
The news was posted on Toby Keith's social media pages on February 6th
Keith pictured with his wife Tricia at the 2018 Academy of Country Music Awards
Keith performs on stage for the BMI Icon Award at the 2022 BMI Country Awards in Nashville
During the 9News interview, Keith, a longtime resident of Norman, Oklahoma, called his wife “the best nurse.”
“Oh, she was a soldier. She is the best nurse. The first time we went to Houston, to the hospital, she immediately jumped in and just took control and said, “We did it. Let's go.” So she says, “We'll get it done and not worry about it,” he added.
In a June 2023 interview with The Oklahoman, he said he had already undergone chemotherapy, radiation and surgery over the past six months.
He added that he would continue chemotherapy and that his tumor had shrunk by a third and that his blood tests looked good.
Keith didn't speak publicly about his battle with cancer until 2022.
The multi-platinum selling singer said on Twitter that he has undergone surgery as well as chemotherapy and radiation over the past six months.
“So far, so good,” said Keith, an Oklahoma native who turns 61 on July 8. “I need time to breathe, recover and relax.”
“I'm looking forward to spending this time with my family. But I'll see the fans sooner than later. I can barely wait for it.'
In 2006, Keith founded a foundation to help children with cancer.
In addition to his music and charitable work, Keith was also known for his often outspoken political beliefs.
After 9/11, Keith recorded the song Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue, which received both widespread praise and intense backlash.
“It wasn't written for everyone.” And if you write something from your heart – I had a father who was a veteran and taught me how precious our freedom is – I was so angry when we were here on American soil “It leaked out of me,” Keith said of the track in a 2003 interview.
“You know, some people cried when they heard it. Some people got goosebumps. Some people were emotionally touched. “Some cheered and raised their fists,” he added.
Among the critics were other country stars, the Dixie Chicks. Singer Natalie Maines described it as “ignorant, and it makes country music sound ignorant.”
Keith responded by having as his background a photoshopped image of Maines with Saddam Hussein at his concerts. At the end of 2003, Keith said he was done with the feud.
The song became one of Keith's biggest hits, topping the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and peaking at #25 on the Billboard Hot 11 chart.
Keith spoke in 2008 of his admiration for Barack Obama, but ultimately said he would vote for the Republicans.
In January 2021, Keith was awarded the National Medal of Arts by Trump alongside fellow country star Ricky Skaggs
Keith performs during a welcoming ceremony for US President-elect Donald Trump and his family at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC on January 19, 2017
In 2017, Keith performed at the Make America Great Again! on. Welcome ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial before Donald Trump's inauguration.
In January 2021, Keith was awarded the National Medal of Arts by Trump alongside fellow country star Ricky Skaggs.
In program notes for the ceremony shared by former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, Keith was presented with the award for “exceptional contributions to American music.”
“From humble beginnings in the oil fields of Oklahoma, Toby Keith has grown into one of the preeminent songwriters of his generation,” the program says. “His musical contributions have given the country powerful, emotional songs that captivate and inspire the nation.”
Although he never supported Trump, Keith previously called the president – and his then-opponent Hilary Clinton – “media whores” in a September 2016 interview.
“This is by far the best country you could ever live in, and we picked these two candidates to be media whores and go out and deal with the world, right?” he said during an interview at Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas. He then described the election as a “dumpster fire.”
When Keith was asked in early August which candidate he would vote for in 2016, he said, “I don't think this election makes a difference.”
“I can't believe there are 300 million Americans in this country and these two are our last two. “It's absolutely crazy.”
Keith previously revealed that he grew up a Democrat in Oklahoma and was registered with the party until 2008, when he became an independent.
“I’ve been a Democrat my whole life. “They kind of disowned me when I started supporting the troops, and then I registered as an independent,” he told the Chicago Tribune.
“I was never a registered Republican. It just keeps people off balance. They don't know what to think.'