Toby Keith is seen performing April 7, 2014 at ACM Presents an All-Star Salute to the Troops in Las Vegas. Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP disguise caption
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Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Toby Keith is seen performing April 7, 2014 at ACM Presents an All-Star Salute to the Troops in Las Vegas.
Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Toby Keith, the nation music celebrity behind among the largest hit songs to return out of Nashville, has died at age 62.
Keith died on Monday, his publicist confirmed to NPR, and his passing was additionally introduced on his official web site and on X, previously Twitter.
“Toby Keith handed peacefully final night time on February 5, surrounded by his household,” reads the assertion on Keith web site. “He fought his battle with grace and braveness. Please respect the privateness of his household at the moment.”
Keith introduced on social media in 2022 that he had been present process chemotherapy and radiation remedies for abdomen most cancers since fall 2021.
“To date, so good,” he mentioned on the time. “I would like time to breathe, get better and calm down.”
A significant nation star for 3 many years, Keith loved hits equivalent to “Crimson Solo Cup,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!” and “Beer For My Horses,” a duet with Willie Nelson.
The native Oklahoman grew up in Oklahoma Metropolis, working within the oil fields after highschool whereas taking part in music along with his personal band. Finally, music grew to become Keith’s principal focus, and he caught his large break when famed producer Harold Shedd heard his demo tape.
Keith’s breakout hit, “Ought to’ve Been a Cowboy,” debuted in 1993 and would go on to develop into essentially the most performed nation track of the last decade, with greater than 3 million performs on the radio.
He went on to provide many extra hits, together with the 2002 track “Courtesy of the Crimson, White and Blue (The Indignant American),” impressed by the 9/11 assaults in addition to the demise of his veteran father. Whereas polarizing, the unapologetically patriotic track introduced Keith’s visibility to a brand new degree.
Amongst Keith’s many accolades, the Academy of Nation Music named him Male Vocalist of the Yr in 2001. He was awarded Artist of the Decade on the American Nation Awards in 2011, and was inducted into the Songwriters Corridor of Fame in 2015. In 2021, Keith additionally grew to become a recipient of the Nationwide Medal of Arts.
In all, Keith had 32 primary singles and bought over 40 million albums.
His demise has introduced an outpouring of tributes from fellow nation music stars.
“Saddle up the horses, Jesus, ‘trigger a real blue COWBOY simply made his trip as much as heaven!!!” Carrie Underwood wrote on Instagram. “Introduce him to all of the Okies and signal that boy up for the choir!”
“Immediately is a tragic day for Nation music and its followers. Toby was an enormous presence in our enterprise and somebody all of us appeared as much as and revered,” mentioned Jason Aldean in an Instagram submit. “You and your music will probably be eternally remembered large man.”
“Too many rides in my previous man’s automotive listening to Toby Keith,” mentioned Zach Bryan in a submit on X. “Actually onerous factor to listen to. Relaxation in peace good friend we love you.”
