Following the heartbreaking news that Toby Keith has passed away, the country music icon's social media posts have been flooded with tributes.
The singer-songwriter, famous for hits like 'Should've Been a Cowboy', had been battling stomach cancer - publicly disclosing his back diagnosis in June of 2022.
In a statement posted to his official website, it was announced that the music star had died on Monday.
"Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family," the statement read. "He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time."
Even as he underwent cancer treatments, Keith displayed an unwavering dedication to his craft, continuing to perform for his loyal audience. He managed to graced the stage at the People's Choice Country Awards in 2023, delivering a moving rendition of 'Don't Let the Old Man In'.
Keith also performed for fans back in December - and just one day before his death, shared a special moment from that particular concert.
In a video shared with his 1.1 million Instagram Fans, Keith can be seen facing an applauding and cheering crowd, as he raises his guitar above his head. He captioned the post: "And that’s a wrap on the weekend, y’all. Back to it."
The post has become a painful reminder of the fragility of life, as Keith would pass away the very next day.
The post has since been flooded with comments, with one person writing: "The people watching this had no idea how lucky they were to be there…"
A second fan added: "RIP Toby. You gave it your all until the very end."
And a third added: "RIP, what a sad thing to wake up to. Prayers lifted to his family. Toby was a true patriot, you will be missed but your music will continue."
Over on his YouTube Channel, Keith's final video showed him talking about the first song her ever wrote when he was just a teenager, check it out below:
Standing tall at 6 feet 4 inches, Keith emerged during the heyday of country music in the 1990s, writing songs that resonated deeply with his devoted fans. His career was marked not only by his musical prowess but also by his outspoken nature, which sometimes led to clashes with fellow celebrities, journalists, and record executives who sought to polish his edgy style.
Keith was renowned for his unabashed patriotism, particularly evident in post-9/11 anthems like 'Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue'. Yet, his versatility allowed him to seamlessly transition between boisterous barroom hits such as 'I Love This Bar' and 'Red Solo Cup' and heartfelt love ballads that showcased his powerful voice and cheeky sense of humor.
Toby Keith's illustrious career spanned three decades, during which he released 24 studio and compilation albums, along with two Christmas records, amassing a staggering $40 million in global sales. His contributions to country music earned him an impressive 61 tracks on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, with 20 of them ascending to the coveted number one spot, and 22 others securing positions in the top ten.
His discography includes chart-toppers like 'How Do You Like Me Now?!', 'As Good As I Once Was', 'My List', and the memorable duet with Willie Nelson, 'Beer for My Horses'.
Keith previously revealed that he drew inspiration from working-class songwriters like Merle Haggard.
Reflecting on his battle with cancer during an interview with KWTV, Keith remarked: "Cancer is a roller coaster. You just sit here and wait on it to go away. It might never go away."
His remarkable journey and enduring contributions to country music will be cherished by fans worldwide, as Keith leaves behind a legacy of memorable songs and unwavering patriotism.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and loved ones at this time.
