Toby Keith tributes: Country music world grieves singer after he died ‘surrounded by family’
Country singer hailed as ‘true American patriot’ by controversial news pundit Tomi Lahren, as fans praise hit songs including ‘Red Solo Cup’ and ‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy’
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Tributes poured in for country music star Toby Keith, who has died aged 62.
Keith died of stomach cancer on Monday (5 February) surrounded by his family, who said in a statement: “He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.”
The musician, who sold more than 40 million records throughout his career, was best known for the songs “Red Solo Cup”, “I Wanna Talk About Me” and the controversial “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue”.
He performed for US presidents including George W Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump, and was as much known for his public sparring with fellow celebrities as he was for his distinctly patriotic songs.
His final shows took place over the weekend, with Keith sharing video footage to his official Instagram page.
“And that’s a wrap on the weekend, y’all,” he wrote. “Back to it.”
Toby Keith’s family announce singer’s death
“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,” a statement posted to Keith’s website and social media said.
Country music world mourns loss of musician Toby Keith
Singer was known for tracks including ‘Red Solo Cup’ and ‘Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue’
The story behind ‘Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue'
Keith was knowing for wearing his politics on his sleeve, particularly after 9/11. Previously describing himself as a conservative Democrat, he later claimed to be an independent, playing at events for US presidents George W Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
Written after the death of his father, HK Kovel, in a car crash, and in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” is distinctly pro-American and issues a threat to anyone who tries to mess with it.
Melodically similar to “American Pie” by Don McLean”, the song included the lyrics: “Justice will be served and the battle will rage/ This big dog will fight when you rattle his cage/ And you’ll be sorry that you messed with/ The US of A/ ‘Cause we’ll put a boot in your ass/ It’s the American way.”
Was Toby Keith married?
Keith is survived by Tricia Lucus, his wife of 40 years, their three children and four grandchildren.
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.
The couple dated for three years before deciding to get married.
They shared three children together, daughters Shelly Covel Rowland (born in 1980 and adopted by Keith when he married Lucas), and Krystal LaDawn Covel Sandubrae (also a country singer), and son Stelen Keith Covel. Keith also had four grandchildren.
He shared a photo of him and the family together at Christmas last year:
What Toby Keith said about his cancer diagnosis
Keith was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2021, and shared the news with the public a year later.
In June 2022, he tweeted: “Last fall I was diagnosed with stomach cancer. I’ve spent the last six months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery. So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax.”
He added that he was looking forward to “spending time with my family. But I will see the fans sooner than later. I can’t wait.”
He had recently played live at the 2023 People’s Choice Awards, in September, when he received the Country Icon Award.
He spoke about his diagnosis during the ceremony, telling Extra TV: “I’ve walked some dark hallways, [but] the Almighty’s riding shotgun. I feel pretty good. You have good days and bad days.”
Toby Keith’s final Instagram post showed him playing a raucous live show
Keith had just played a live show and posted about it on his Instagram page:
Controversial news pundit Tomi Lahren pays tribute to Toby Keith
Appearing on Fox News, Tomi Lahren paid tribute to Keith from Nashville, where she said it “hit a little different”.
“Such a big part of this town, such a big part of country music - he was actually the first concert I ever attended,” she said.
She praised his “patriotic” anthems that offered a “cathartic release” and said he was “a wonderful talent to have lost”.
Toby Keith’s very public feud with The Chicks
Toby Keith’s song “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” peaked at No 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart upon its release in 2002, and continues to enjoy huge success today.
However, it was also the subject of negative reactions from his country music peers, including the legendary singer-songwriter Steve Earle, who accused the song of “pandering to people’s worst instincts at a time they are hurt and scared.”
The Chicks singer Natalie Maines branded it “ignorant”.
In response, Keith (already incensed by Maines’ infamous remark about how the band were ashamed of then-President George W Bush over the imminent invasion of Iraq) performed in front of a doctored photo of her with Saddam Hussein.
Maines then wore a homemade T-shirt reading “FUTK” on stage at the 2003 ACM Awards. While the band insisted at the time that it stood for, “Friends United Together in Kindness”, most believed that it was an acronym for: “F*** You Toby Keith.”
Maines later admitted this was the case in the band’s 2006 documentary, Shut Up & Sing.
Keith reportedly said he was later “embarrassed” by his part in the spat.
Toby Keith’s early beginnings as a musician
After working in the oil fields then a stint playing semi-pro American football, Keith launched his career as a singer in the late Seventies and Eighties, playing with his band around the red dirt roadhouse circuit in Oklahoma and Texas.
He ended up in Nashville, where he caught the interest of Mercury Records executive Harold Shedd, then best known for producing the hit group Alabama. Keith released his debut self-titled album, Toby Keith, with the label in 1993.
With his macho, pro-American swagger, booming voice and simple but catchy songs, Keith achieved success with hits including his breakthrough song, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy”, which became the most-played country song of the Nineties.
During this time, Keith became known for public clashes with celebrities and an unwillingness to have his rough edges smoothed over by record executives.
He also pushed back against what he perceived as an attempt to get him to cross over into pop music, as his label enjoyed similar success with country-pop queen Shania Twain.
“They were trying to get me to compromise, and I was living a miserable existence,” Keith told the AP. “Everybody was trying to mold me into something I was not.”
‘Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue’ controversy
The song peaked at No 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart upon its release, shortly after 9/11 and was heralded by many fans as a defiant anthem against terror.
Keith was later invited by broadcaster ABC to perform at its Fourth of July concert in 2002, but he claimed he was dropped from the show after host Peter Jennings expressed his distaste for it.
However, ABC said in a statement that it was the network’s decision, because it had not wanted to start its celebratory event with an angry song.
It was also the subject of negative reactions from his country music peers, including the legendary singer-songwriter Steve Earle, who accused the song of “pandering to people’s worst instincts at a time they are hurt and scared.” The Chicks singer Natalie Maines branded it “ignorant”.
In response, Keith (already incensed by Maines’ infamous remark about how the band were ashamed of then-President George W Bush over the imminent invasion of Iraq) performed in front of a doctored photo of her with Saddam Hussein.
Maines then wore a homemade T-shirt reading “FUTK” on stage at the 2003 ACM Awards. While the band insisted at the time that it stood for, “Friends United Together in Kindness”, most believed that it was an acronym for: “F*** You Toby Keith.” Maines later admitted this was the case in the band’s 2006 documentary, Shut Up & Sing.
Country star Zach Ryan pays tribute
Keith’s fellow Oklahoman, country music star Zach Ryan, 27, is among the stars to pay tribute after Keith’s death from cancer.
“Too many rides in my old man’s car listening to Toby Keith. Really hard thing to hear,” he tweeted.
“Rest in peace friend we love you.”
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