Toby Keith was one of the most successful country musicians of his generation. Now he succumbed to cancer at the age of 62.
In the USA, Toby Keith was considered one of the biggest names in country music. After his big breakthrough in 1993 with the hit “Should Have Been A Cowboy”, he released a total of 24 studio and compilation albums, with which he achieved worldwide sales of 40 million dollars. His other mega hits included “As Good As I Once Was” and “Beer for My Horses”, a duet with Willie Nelson from 2005. Keith was considered a great patriot who also sang about political issues, as in the song “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American),” which he wrote in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Shocking cancer diagnosis in 2021
The country star announced in June 2022 that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer. He explained to his shocked fans: “I’ve spent the last six months undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries.” Now he needs “time to breathe, recover and relax.”
Last September, the musician accepted his Country Music Icon Award at the People’s Choice Country Awards. He also discussed his cancer and joked about his noticeable weight loss: “I bet you thought you’d never see me in skinny See jeans.” He also thanked the good Lord who had “been with him for quite some time.”
“He fought his battle with grace and bravery”
It is now clear that Toby Keith has finally lost his battle against cancer. On his official website and under a photo of the country star there is the sad news: “He passed away peacefully last night, February 5th, surrounded by his family. He fought his battle with grace and bravery.”
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
