‘True blue cowboy’: Stars react to Toby Keith’s death
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(WJW) – Fans and friends are reacting to the death of country legend Toby Keith.
The hitmaker died Monday at the age of 62, according to his website.
Country singer Toby Keith dies at 62
“Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5, surrounded by family. He fought his fight with grace and courage,” it reads.
Keith announced his stomach cancer diagnosis in 2022 and said at that time he had been receiving treatment since fall of 2021.
Fans Tuesday quoted some of Keith’s song lyrics in remembrance of the star.
“Try to love on your wife
And stay close to your friends
Toast each sundown with wine
Don’t let the old man in”
Those lyrics are from Toby Keith’s single “Don’t Let the Old Man In” in 2019.
Toby Keith rehearses for the “2002 Academy of Country Music Awards” at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, Ca. on Monday, May 20, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect. Toby Keith rehearses for “The 29th Annual American Music Awards” at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Ca. Monday, January 7, 2002. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images. Toby Keith during Country Recording Artist Toby Keith Performs at One51 in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic) Toby Keith during The 36th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards – Show at Universal Amphitheater in Universal City, California, United States. (Photo by M. Caulfield/WireImage) Toby Keith at the Holiday Star Theater in Merrillville, Indiana, January 25, 1994. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) Toby Keith at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards held at The Grand Ole Opry House on September 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Tammie Arroyo/Variety via Getty Images)
While Keith was from Oklahoma, it was Nashville that made him a star.
Toby Keith speaks out about cancer battle: ‘I lean on my faith’
Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge is a legendary bar there on Broadway.
“Hard to hear the news about Toby Keith. He will be missed, but not forgotten. It will be difficult to raise a red Solo cup without thinking of him,” the bar wrote on social media. “His songs can be heard daily at bars around the world and of course, on Broadway.
“There is rumor that he wrote, ‘I Love This Bar’ about Tootsie’s. Whether that’s true or not, Tootsie’s loves Toby Keith. Rest easy, TK.”
Fellow Oklahoman Carrie Underwood wrote, “Saddle up the horses, Jesus, ‘cause a true blue COWBOY just made his ride up to heaven!!!”
“Introduce him to all the Okies and sign that boy up for the choir! We’re gonna miss you, Toby, but my heart has no doubt that you are standing in the presence of our King right now!!! See you again someday, friend.”
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“Today is a sad day for Country music and its fans. Toby was a huge presence in our business and someone we all looked up to and respected. You and your music will be forever remembered big man,” Jason Aldean wrote.
“Toby Keith, you were a mountain of a man and an icon in country music,” Fox News host Jeanine Pirro posted with pictures of her with the star.
“Ugh,” Don Trump Jr. said on social media. “We lost a legend this week. R.I.P. Toby Keith.”
Keith’s debut single “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” hit No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Top Country Songs chart in 1993.
Since then, he sold 40 million albums worldwide.
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