Toby Keith has died after a battle with stomach cancer.
The country music star passed away Monday night while surrounded by his family, according to a statement posted to his Facebook page.
“He fought his fight with grace and courage,” the message read, alluding to his health issues.
In June 2022, Keith announced he had been diagnosed with cancer the previous fall and was receiving chemo and radiation therapy, as well as having surgery.
At the time, he said he was doing well, but he needed time to “breathe, recover and relax.”
As you know, Keith was one of the biggest names in country music. Throughout his three-decade career, he released 24 studio and compilation albums and 2 Christmas records, generating $40 million in worldwide sales.
Keith also produced 61 tracks that appeared on the Billboard Hot Country Songs, with 20 of them hitting number one and 22 others landing in the top ten.
Some of his most recognizable tunes were “Should Have Been A Cowboy,” “As Good As I Once Was,” and “Beer for My Horses,” a 2005 duet with Willie Nelson.
Last September, Keith took home the Country Music Icon Award at the People’s Choice Country Awards 2023. After accepting the statue, he gave a speech that brought some levity to his cancer diagnosis and stunning weight loss, saying, “Bet you thought you’d never see me in skinny jeans.”
Toby was 62.
RIP