More Than A Cowboy: Toby Keith’s Enduring Legacy
The country music world was left in mourning in 2024 when one of its most successful — and most controversial — singer-songwriters passed away at the age of just 62. Toby Keith shot to fame in the mid-1990s with a string of cowboy anthems, but he became more renowned in the ‘00s for his outspoken views and fervent patriotism in the wake of 9/11. Whether you were a fan or not, his 20 Hot Country number ones, 40 million sales, and seven Grammy nominations are the stuff of legend.
Cancer diagnosis
Keith first revealed to the world that he had stomach cancer in the summer of 2022 having first been diagnosed in the fall of the previous year. He told his fans on X, then Twitter, “I’ve spent the last six months receiving chemo, radiation, and surgery.”
“So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover, and relax. I am looking forward to spending this time with my family. But I will see the fans sooner than later. I can’t wait.”
Roller coaster
The “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” singer vowed to fight the disease and continued to play live as he did so. He spoke of his progress to E! News at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards, where he performed The Mule soundtrack number “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”
Keith said, “It’s a little bit of a roller coaster. You get good days and, you know, you’re up and down, up and down. It’s always zero to 60 and 60 to zero, but I feel good today.”
Viva Las Vegas
And then just a few months later, Keith headlined three dates in Las Vegas which instantly sold out. Announcing the dates, the star told fans, “Through COVID and cancer, the old Devil’s been at me a little bit.
I’ve got him by the horns right now. So instead of just sitting around and waiting, we’re gonna get the band together.” Sadly, this would be the last time Keith appeared on stage.
Grace and courage
Just two months after his Vegas residency, Keith died while surrounded by his loved ones. A statement released by the family said, “He fought his fight with grace and courage.”
The country icon was survived by his three kids Stelen, Krystal, and Shelley, and wife of more than four decades, Tricia. The “How Do You Like Me Now?” singer also had four grandkids, as he proudly showed in a photo published on his Instagram page during his final Christmas.