Country singer Toby Keith, known for hits like “Red Solo Cup” and “Should Have Been a Cowboy,” has died. He was 62 years old.
The singer-songwriter “passed peacefully” on Monday night, his family said in a statement released on x (formerly Twitter). Keith was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2022.
“Toby Keith passed away peacefully last night, February 5, surrounded by his family,” the statement said. “He fought his battle with grace and courage.”
“Please respect his family’s privacy at this time,” the message concluded.
Toby Keith says stomach cancer battle ‘a bit of a roller coaster’: ‘You’re up and down’
Toby Keith performs on stage during the 2021 iHeartCountry Festival.
Erika Goldring/WireImage
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Keith opened up about his cancer diagnosis while attending the People’s Choice Country Awards in September 2023.
The late singer told Hey! News at a time when his battle with cancer is “a bit of a roller coaster. You have good days and you know, you go up and down, up and down.”
“It’s always zero to 60 and 60 to zero, but today I feel good,” he said on the red carpet where he was joined by his wife of nearly 40 years, Tricia Lucus.
Toby Keith returns to the stage in Las Vegas for his first official performances after being diagnosed with stomach cancer
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Toby Keith and Tricia Lucus attend the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards.
Terry Wyatt/Getty
In December, Keith played his first official shows after revealing his cancer diagnosis at Park MGM in Las Vegas.
“Hey everybody! This is Toby Keith. It’s been a while. You know what I’ve been doing — I was on the old roller coaster, but the Almighty is riding shotgun. He’s letting me ride for some reason, but we’re making a big announcement,” Keith, 62, said. in a video shared on YouTube announcing the gigs, “I’m running a small business and thought I’d start in big Las Vegas.”
“They’ll be my first two concerts. They’re kind of rehab concerts — get the band back in sync, get me going again,” he added. “For the first time in my entire life, I have been pased for more than two years. I have never taken a break for a year in my life.”
“Because of COVID and cancer, the old devil is haunting me a bit,” Keith continued. “I’m holding him by the horns right now, so instead of just sitting around and waiting, we’re going to get the band back together.”
Over the years, Keith has played for US presidents, including George W. Bush. Barack Obama and Donald Trump. In 2021, Trump also awarded him the National Medal of Arts.
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Source: HIS Education