True to the red, white and blue, the passing of country music legend Toby Keith’s death was mourned by millions of people.
After complications with stomach cancer, Toby Keith passed away at age 62 on Feb. 5, 2024.
Keith was born on July 8, 1961 in Clinton, Oklahoma. Keith started playing music at an early age after being inspired by the musicians who worked in his grandmother’s club. After working for a while in the oil business and playing defense in the USFL football league for the Oklahoma City Drillers, he chose to pursue a music career.
In 1993, Keith released his self-titled debut album, which by 1994 was certified platinum.
Follow-up records “Boomtown,” released in 1994, and “Blue Moon,” released in 1996, were also successful thanks to such popular hits as “Who’s That Man” and “Me Too.”
Keith continued this trend in 1999 with his next album “How Do You Like Me Now?!”, which won Album of the Year at the Academy of Country Music.
In 2001, the terrorist attacks on 9/11 were very detrimental to America, but Keith was also devastated, and to add more to his plate, Keith’s father was killed in a traffic accident following 9/11. These events prompted Keith to write his biggest song yet, “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” which was popular, particularly amongst military personnel. This song helped popularize Keith’s latest project “Unleashed,” which also had the hit song “I Wanna Talk About Me” and also included a hit duet with Willie Nelson called “Beer for My Horses.”
The album was released in May 2002, and “Unleashed” had several tracks go platinum. “Unleashed” also became Keith’s first number one album on the Billboard 200.
Keith’s family posted the message of his passing on Instagram. The post read “Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5 surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.”
Keith will go down in history as a well-renowned country music legend who touched the hearts of many country music fans.
Factual Information on Toby Keith according to Biography.com
