Country music legend Toby Keith dies at 62 after battling stomach cancer
1:27 PM EST, February 6, 2024, updated: 4:08 AM EST, March 7, 2024
As an icon and leading representative of country music, Toby Keith had a performing career spanning nearly 30 years with 19 studio albums. He passed away overnight on February 5, news of which was relayed through his social media accounts.
"Toby Keith passed away peacefully last night, February 5, surrounded by family and loved ones. He fought with grace and courage. We kindly ask you to respect his family's privacy at this difficult time," was the message shared on his Instagram profile.
Keith's illness was diagnosed towards the end of 2021, and he began treatment promptly.
"In the past six months, I've been undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. So far, everything's going well. I need time to take a breath, recover, and relax," he revealed in June 2022.
During the following months, Keith spoke about his illness as "debilitating" in discussions with journalists. While he admitted to feeling relatively good, he conceded that the outlook was not promising.
"The reports generally show a positive trend, but with cancer, uncertainty always lingers, thus you must remain prepared," he said in June 2023.
Toby Keith: A country music icon
Born on July 8, 1961, in Clinton, Oklahoma, Keith spent his childhood in the suburbs of Oklahoma City. Toby Keith was a singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer.
His discography includes 19 studio albums, two holiday albums, and five compilation albums, selling over 40 million total copies. 61 of his songs featured on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, with 21 reaching the number one spot.
Among Keith's biggest hits were "Should've Been a Cowboy", "Beer for My Horses", and "As Good as I Once Was". In January 2021, President Donald Trump awarded him the Medal of Arts.
