Less than 24 hours ago, the public was met with the heartbreaking news of the passing of country music legend Toby Keith.
The beloved musician, aged 62, breathed his last on February 5th, leaving his fans devastated.
Tributes and condolences poured in on social media platforms as fans mourned the loss of the iconic ‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy‘ singer.
Toby Keith’s passing
As previously reported, news of Keith’s death was announced through a statement on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
“Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time,” the statement read.
— Toby Keith (@tobykeith) February 6, 2024
Upon learning of the news, fans took to social media to express their grief and pay homage to the late country star. “We love you, Toby. I’m so devastated. Your music will live on forever, legend,” someone said, while another added: “My heart is broken…Thank you for sharing yourself with the world.”
Addressing Keith’s family, another fan extended prayers, writing: “Rest in peace, Toby. Sending prayers to his family. This is such sad news, but you were a blessing and fought it out until the end like the legend you are.”
In a poignant interview with E! News shortly before his passing, Keith opened up about his battle with cancer, describing it as a “roller coaster” of good and bad days. “It’s a little bit of a roller coaster. You get good days, and you know, you’re up and down […] It’s always zero to 60 and 60 to zero,” he admitted.
Though, despite the challenges, he remained positive and spoke about being resilient in the face of adversity.
Concern over Toby Keith’s appearance
With Keith’s passing, the music world mourns the loss of a true icon. While his legacy lives on through his timeless music, his family has requested privacy as they grieve this profound loss.
Keith’s battle with stomach cancer had been a source of concern for fans since he announced his diagnosis in June 2022. Despite undergoing treatment, including chemotherapy and surgery, he had always remained hopeful and was determined to overcome the illness.
In December 2022, Keith gave his first interview following his diagnosis, speaking to CMT Hot 20 Countdown about his determination in returning to the stage. “It is pretty debilitating to have to go through all that, but as long as everything stays hunky-dory, then we will look at something good in the future,” he said at the time.
You heard it here first! @tobykeith has plans to get back on the road after battling cancer 👊 More details on his road to recovery this weekend only on #cmtHot20! pic.twitter.com/3p3Rs5a1XM
— CMT Hot 20 Countdown (@cmtHot20) November 19, 2022
However, his health continued to deteriorate, prompting concern among fans who noticed his appearance. Comments flooded Toby’s social media posts, with fans across the globe expressing both worry and support for the country star.
“Please tell me Toby is ok? This picture is most disturbing,” one comment read.
“You have lost so much weight. Prayers for you dear Toby,” someone wrote.
Another expressed: “So thin. I hope you are getting better.”
A further user commented: “Wow he’s lost a lot of weight. But still looks great. Keep fighting my friend.”
Many fans offered prayers and encouragement, hoping for his recovery amidst his challenging battle with cancer.
As Toby Keith bids farewell to the world, his music and legacy remain a lasting tribute to his talent, resilience, and unwavering spirit. Rest in peace, Toby Keith.
