TOBY Keith has died aged 62 following his battle with stomach cancer.
A statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, said: “He fought his fight with grace and courage.”
Keith revealed in 2022 that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer.
The singer had been receiving chemotherapy and other treatments.
Read our live blog below for the latest news and updates…
Symptoms of stomach cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, symptoms of stomach cancer can include:
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss (without trying)
- Abdominal pain
- Feeling full after only eating a small amount of food
- Nausea
- Heartburn
- Swelling or fluid build-up in the abdomen
If stomach cancer spreads to the liver, there can also be yellowing of the skin and eyes, also known as jaundice.
More about stomach cancer
Like all forms of cancer, stomach cancer can be fatal if not detected early.
If the illness has not spread outside the stomach, the five-year survival rate is 70 percent, according to the American Cancer Society.
But if the disease has spread to surrounding tissues or organs, the five-year survival rate drops to 32 percent.
The early stages of stomach cancer are often harder to catch because they rarely cause symptoms, so it is always recommended to get routine cancer screenings, especially if there is a family history of the disease.
Country singer talked about playing while receiving treatment
At the time of his June 2023 performance, Toby Keith told fans via The Oklahoman he was wanting to perform through treatment.
“And I’m thinking about bringing the band in and setting up, playing two or three days somewhere just to see if I can get through two hours,” he said.
“All I gotta do is see if I can get through two or three nights of work and get a little break in this chemo, and we’ll go back to work… I’m ready. That’s living.”
‘You never know with cancer’
Toby Keith performed in June 2023 for the first time after receiving his devastating cancer diagnosis.
“Basically, everything is in a real positive trend,” he told fans via The Oklahoman.
“You never know with cancer, so you have to prepare.
“I’ve got more wind.”
The Toby Keith Foundation
Keith started the Toby Keith Foundation in 2006.
The mission of the charity is to help kids diagnosed with cancer in Oklahoma.
In 2014, he expanded the foundation to include OK Kids Korral, which offers pediatric cancer patients and their families a place to stay while being treated.
Fans grieve country legend
Toby Keith fans have taken to social media to mourn his loss.
Country singer was first diagnosed in 2022
Toby Keith was diagnosed with stomach cancer in June 2022.
Keith, known for his hit track Should’ve Been a Cowboy, opened up about his battle with the illness just last month.
He described cancer as a “rollercoaster.”
“So it’s like, you just sit here and wait on it to go away, and it may never go away,” he told News 9.
Who are Toby Keith’s children?
On March 24, 1984, Toby Keith and Tricia Lucus tied the knot after three years of dating.
Following their nuptials, Toby adopted Tricia’s first daughter Shelley, who was born in 1980.
A year in the wake of their wedding ceremony, the pair welcomed their second child together.
On September 30, 1985, their second daughter Krystal was born.
The couple waited over a decade to welcome their third child together.
Sometime in 1997, Toby and Tricia’s only son Stelen was born.
Toby Keith’s top songs
Toby Keith has over 5.7million monthly listeners on Spotify.
According to the streaming platform, his top songs are:
- Should’ve Been A Cowboy
- As Good As I Once Was
- Beer For My Horses
- Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)
- How Do You Like Me Now?!
Toby Keith’s life before music
Country singer Toby Keith worked in Oklahoma’s oil fields in his youth.
He would then go on to play semi-pro football before entering the world of country music.
Speaking to AP in 2001, Keith said: “I write about life, and I sing about life, and I don’t overanalyze things.”
Toby Keith’s rise to fame
Toby Keith released his debut album in 1993, with songs such as “Red Solo Cup” and “I Wanna Talk About Me” soaring up the charts.
In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, Keith would release “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American” which catapulted to even greater stardom.
The singer received a Country Icon Award at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards in September.
Fans pay tribute to late country singer
Fans have flooded social media with tributes to the late Toby Keith.
One X user said: “I saw him in concert once in his days when he just hit it big. Fun songs and good times. RIP buddy.”
While another added: “RIP Toby Keith. Absolute legend. Cancer sucks.”
Was Toby Keith married?
Keith is survived by his wife Tricia Lucus who he tied the knot in 1984.
She told People in 2001 that they met in a bar.
“I was 19 and he was 20. He was just one of those larger-than-life guys, full of confidence,” she said.
What did Toby say when he was diagnosed with cancer?
He said that he needed 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,” he said when announcing his diagnosis on social media.
Toby’s last Instagram post
Toby’s last Instagram post, whose page has over one million followers, was from his gig in Las Vegas.
He captioned the video: “And that’s a wrap on the weekend, y’all. Back to it.”
Tributes flood in
Tributes have flooded in for Toby Keith following his death.
Country crooner Randy Houser said: “God bless you and your family. Hard to imagine an America without Toby Keith in it.”
PGA star John Daly said: “My heart is truly broken… one of my best friends gone by this disease. RIP Big Dawg.”
Stand-up comic Darren Carter said: “Thank you so much for the many years of music… and love you gave us.”
When was Toby Keith diagnosed with stomach cancer?
Toby Keith was diagnosed with stomach cancer in June 2022.
Keith, known for his hit track Should’ve Been a Cowboy, opened up about his battle with the illness just last month.
He described cancer as a “rollercoaster.”
“So it’s like, you just sit here and wait on it to go away, and it may never go away,” he told News 9.
Toby Keith dies aged 62
Toby Keith has died aged 62 after living out his final months with “grace and courage”.
Taking to X, the family of Toby posted: “Toby Keith passed peacefully last night February 5th.
“He fought his fight with grace and courage.”
