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By Natasha Anderson
17:16 February 7, 2024, updated 18:16 February 7, 2024
Toby Keith made his final Instagram post just a day before he died of stomach cancer, suggesting to fans that he wanted to return to acting.
The singer, 62, on Sunday shared a video of himself addressing an excited crowd during what is believed to have been one of his three sold-out shows at the Park MGM hotel in Las Vegas last December.
“And that’s it for the weekend,” he captioned the clip. ‘Let’s get back to it.’
Keith’s family announced the next day that he had died “peacefully” on Monday night, surrounded by his family, after battling cancer with “grace and courage.”
He is survived by his wife, Tricia Lucas, and their three children, daughters Shelley Covel Rowland, fellow singer Krystal Keith, and son, Stelen. He also had four grandchildren. During his illustrious career, Keith sold more than 40 million records.
Keith played his last shows, a three-date stint in Las Vegas, in December 2023. Afterwards, he even joked that he was planning a US tour that he was “turning on the trucks and buses.”
Now, after his death, fans commented on his final Instagram post, saying that those who attended his shows last year “had no idea how lucky they were to be there.”
“It’s sad that it was his last show and no one knew,” one fan wrote.
‘Rest in peace cowboy. You kept riding even when the ride was difficult,” said another.
One heartbroken fan added: “Doing it like that, all the way – THAT’S the definition of LEGEND.” Toby, THANK YOU for everything you have given us over the decades. You gave ALL of us 100% of the time.’
Keith’s mother, Carolyn, accompanied him to the Dolby Live stage at Park MGM Las Vegas on December 12, which was one of the singer’s last shows.
In a video published on TMZKeith was seen saying: “I want to introduce you to someone, this is my mom, she’s the one who taught me how to sing.”
In the clip, Keith and his mother are seen hugging on stage, and Keith jokingly tells his mother to tell the concertgoers to “go to hell,” much to the amusement of the crowd.
The Shoulda Been A Cowboy singer was first diagnosed in 2021. Earlier this month, the singer opened up about his stomach. cancer battle in an interview with 9News.
‘I was going through all the chemo, radiation, surgery, and I got to the point where I was comfortable with what happened. I had my brain wrapped around it and I was in a good place either way,” Keith said.
In the interview, he mentioned that his Christian faith was helping him in his battle against cancer. ‘Cancer is a roller coaster. Just sit here and wait for it to go away; it may never go away.’
Keith, a longtime resident of Norman, Oklahoma, also called his wife “the best nurse.”
‘Oh, she’s been a trooper. She is the best nurse. The first time we went to Houston, to the hospital, she stepped in, took control and said, “We’ve got it. Let’s go.” Then she said, “We’re going to figure this out and not worry about it,” she added.
Fans, celebrities and other country music icons, including Carrie Underwood., lucas combs and Jason Aldean – have paid moving tributes to the county singing legend following his death.
Carrie shared heartwarming snaps with the star and paid tribute to the “real blue cowboy.”
She wrote: “Saddle up the horses Jesus because a real blue COWBOY just went to heaven!!!” Underwood, who was born in Muskogee, said in a
Introduce him to all the Okies and sign that boy up for the choir! We will miss you, Toby, but my heart has no doubt that you are in the presence of our King right now!!! See you someday, friend.
Jason Aldean wrote: “Just woke up to the news of Toby Keith’s passing. Today is a sad day for Country music and its fans. Toby was a huge presence in our business and someone we all admired and respected.
“You and your music will always be remembered as a great man.”
Luke Combs wrote: ‘Damn, RIP Toby. I can not believe it.’
Jelly Roll, 39, took to Instagram to talk about Keith’s influence on her career.
“Toby inspired millions and I was one of them,” she wrote on her Instagram Story. “We should have been a cowboy at every show last year.”
Randy Houser, best known for his single Anything Goes, shared footage of him singing a cover of Keith’s 2003 song I Love This Bar, which he called one of his “favorites.”
‘@TobyKeith…An American icon. In my opinion they don’t make them like him every day,” Houser captioned his Instagram post. ‘It’s late at night or early in the morning but I wanted to sing one in his honor no matter what time it is. That Rest in peace. Job well done.’
He also commented under the tribute, made by Keith’s family. He wrote that it was “hard to imagine an America without Toby Keith.”
William Michael Morgan said the least left her “speechless” on Instagram.
‘A true American. A true country artist. I know that now he is awakening with our Lord. Prayers for his family,’ he concluded.
Austin Burke paid tribute on social media, describing how this loss really “hurts.”
‘Toby and Garth brought country music to my Arizona radio growing up and I fell in love with it. We not only lost a country music legend but also an American hero. “His love for America and his love for our great military is how I know he would like to be remembered,” he wrote.
“I am completely heartbroken to wake up to the news of Toby Keith’s passing,” he said. ‘I thought he was recovering. …It’s hard to see a life cut short, but there’s something incredibly surprising about seeing someone like Toby kidnapped so young. My deepest condolences to his family.’
Singer-songwriter James Otto said he felt “blessed” to have met Keith and declared that he will “never forget” his days working on his American Ride tour.
‘Simple and I loved to laugh. Damn, I enjoyed my twin with him. Blessings to his family and friends,” Matthew McConaughey tweeted.
Keith has left a lasting impact on the country music industry, with fans applauding his “great talent” and his songs that have brought “so much joy to so many people.”
Kristin Chenoweth also took to social media to react to his death.
‘I loved him as a musician. A great Oklahoman,” he tweeted. ‘A great American. What a loss!’
Stephen Baldwin wrote that the announcement left him “breathless.”
‘I’ve been praying for Toby and it’s really wonderful to know he’s finally home. Praise Jesus,” Hailey Bieber’s father wrote. “Rest in peace and love, Toby Keith.”
Mourners have also hailed him as a “true legend” and a “true American patriot” who loved veterans and showed “incredible support” for American troops.