Country Music Giant Toby Keith Passes Away At Only Age 62

Rolling Stone-Toby Keith, who injected Nineties and 2000s country music with an unapologetic dose of patriotism and an unrelenting swagger in songs like “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American),” “How Do You Like Me Now?!” and “Who’s Your Daddy?”, has died at 62 following a diagnosis of stomach cancer. 

Keith’s family confirmed the death on social media, writing that the musician “passed peacefully” on Feb. 5 and was “surrounded by his family.” “He fought his fight with grace and courage,” they wrote. The statement did not mention a cause of death. 

Keith revealed his illness to fans in 2022 but was actually diagnosed a year earlier. In the months that followed the diagnosis he underwent treatment including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, and dialed back his performing schedule. In summer of 2023, he made his return to the stage with a pair of pop-up bar shows in his hometown of Norman, Oklahoma. That fall, Keith gave his first television performance since his diagnosis, singing “Don’t Let the Old Man In,” the tale of mortality he wrote for Clint Eastwood’s 2018 film The Mule, at the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards in Nashville.

Talk about terrible news to wake up to.

Toby Keith, the larger-than-life country music powerhouse, left us overnight, as confirmed by his family, and it’s got fans and casual listeners alike tipping their hats in respect. 

Born Toby Keith Covel on July 8, 1961, in the heart of Oklahoma, Toby’s story is one of those classic American tales of grit, determination, and a bit of good old-fashioned luck.

Toby didn’t start with a guitar in his hand and a song in his heart. He was out there in the oil fields, getting his hands dirty and learning about hard work straight out of high school. He’d often say that job made him a man, but that the music was his true calling. During the same time forming the Easy Money Band with some buddies. He was living that double life—oil field worker by day, aspiring musician by night, and even squeezed in some semipro football somehow for good measure.

When the oil industry hit a rough patch, Toby didn’t miss a beat. He turned to music full time. His demo tapes landed in the right hands, and before we knew it, Toby Keith was a name on everyone’s lips, thanks to “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” That song wasn’t just a hit; it was a phenomenon, blasting from every jukebox and pickup truck from coast to coast.

But Toby wasn’t a one-hit wonder, not by a long shot. He kept churning out hits that told stories people could relate to. Songs like “Who’s That Man” and “How Do You Like Me Now?!” weren’t just catchy tunes; they were narratives that spoke to the heart of the American experience. And let’s not forget those heartfelt ballads and duets, especially the unforgettable “Beer for My Horses” with Willie Nelson.

What set Toby apart in the Nashville scene was his dedication to his craft. While many artists were happy to sing whatever hit songs were handed to them, Toby was in the trenches, writing and co-writing his own material. He wasn’t just looking to make hits; he was looking to make music that mattered, music that would stand the test of time.

Toby’s albums were like a masterclass in storytelling through music. Take “Clancy’s Tavern,” for example, a nod to his grandmother that was as personal as it was universal. 

And then there were the anthems like “American Soldier” and “Made in America,” which resonated deeply with fans, especially those with ties to the military.

Kevin Winter/ACMA2014. Getty Images.

Of course, Toby was no stranger to controversy. His post-9/11 anthem “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” stirred up quite the storm. Some called it patriotic; others called it jingoistic. It even sparked a public spat with the Dixie Chicks. But love it or hate it, you can’t deny it was pure Toby Keith—unfiltered, unapologetic, and unforgettable.

Despite the occasional headline-making feud or eyebrow-raising lyric, Toby’s focus was always on the music and the people who loved it. He might have made waves with his political views (btw, he was a registered Independent, telling Dan Rather in 2018 that he had been raised a democrat his whole life, but because of he made “the war cry”, aka “Courtesy of The Red White and Blue”, he was ran out of the party”) and his less-than-conventional approach to the Nashville scene, but at the end of the day, it was his songs that spoke the loudest.

Toby’s impact went beyond the charts and award shows. He was a staple on USO tours, bringing a piece of home to American service members overseas. His dedication to those in uniform was more than just a lyrical theme; it was a commitment he lived out year after year.

All day today and for months to come, his contemporaries and younger artists who looked up to him will speak about his style. 

He had a way of blending traditional country with a rock edge that made his music accessible to a broad audience. His concerts were legendary, a mix of high-energy performances, heartfelt moments, and that signature Toby Keith humor. He could have you raising a fist in patriotic fervor one minute and wiping away a tear the next.

Off the stage, Toby was just as impactful. He stayed true to his Oklahoma roots, choosing to live and raise his family there rather than getting caught up in the Nashville scene. He was involved in various charitable efforts, always ready to lend a hand or a song to a good cause.

I was introduced to Keith’s music back around 2015 at a concert of his at the Tweeter Center or whatever it’s called now in Mansfield, MA. I was back home for a summer visit to the cape and all my friends had got tickets and were going so I got a ticket and went. I had zero expectations, just planned on having a good time listening to music outside in the summer night, and ended up having one of the most memorable nights of my life. 

It was one of those evenings where you're actually lucky enough to know it at the time. When the music kind of drowns out for no reason ,and your vision blurs, and everything around you becomes fuzzy, except for the realization that this memory- right here, right now, will be with you for the rest of your life, vividly. 

From that night on, I became a Toby Keith fan. 

Not the diehard type he had legions of coast to coast. But enough to know the words to his hit songs, and to feel genuine sympathy for the man when he got entangled in a disastrous mix up with an ex-con mobster who changed his name and swindled him into partnering on his namesake chain of bars. 

Or again, forgiving him when he plucked my Alma-maters savior Porter Moser right out from Loyola Chicago to take a job at his beloved Oklahoma, by personally recruiting him, and promising to play annual private concerts for Moser and his friends if he'd take the Sooners job.

In a career that spanned decades, Toby Keith became more than just a country music star. He became a symbol of a certain kind of American spirit—resilient, independent, and always true to oneself. He faced criticism and controversy without ever losing sight of who he was and the music he wanted to make.

As we remember Toby Keith, we’re not just remembering the hits (although there are plenty to choose from). We’re remembering the man behind the music, the storyteller who could capture the complexities of American life in a four-minute song. We’re remembering the patriot who supported the troops, the rebel who played by his own rules, and the artist who left an indelible mark on country music.

Toby Keith’s legacy is a collection of songs that feel as real and as raw as life itself. From the rowdy to the reflective, his music spoke to the heart of what it means to be American. And while the music world may feel a bit quieter without him, his songs will continue to play on, reminding us of the man, the music, and the unforgettable legacy he leaves behind. Fuck cancer.

Rest In Peace.