Toby Keith dies after stomach cancer battle: Stephen Colbert recalls 'improbable' friendship

The country music community woke up to the news Tuesday that Toby Keith had died after a battle with stomach cancer. He was 62.

Many in the close-knit community as well as other famous faces were quick to share their shocked reactions. Most turned to the comments section on Keith’s verified Instagram page, which announced his death in the early hours of the morning.

Stephen Colbert, on Tuesday night’s “The Late Show,” paid tribute to Keith, calling him “one of the greats” and recalling their “improbable” friendship.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

“I was shocked and saddened when I saw the news this morning,” Colbert said. “I knew Toby was ill, he’d been fighting stomach cancer for some time, but I still had hope that we would see each other again and that we would hear him on this stage. I was lucky enough to become friends with Toby over the years, as improbable as that seems.”

Colbert shared that his relationship with Keith taught him to not pre-judge a guest. “And to have my intention, but keep my eyes open to the reality of who they are,” he said, “And for that lesson, and for a lot of other things, I’m always going to be grateful.”

He added: “I think he enjoyed how unlikely a pair we seemed. I sure did. You know like when people are excited when a duck and a horse are friends? For the record, I was the duck.”

Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, more country stars mourn Toby Keith

Dolly Parton, left, presents an award to Toby Keith for Video of the Year during the CMT Flame Worthy Awards show in Nashville on April 21, 2004.

Fellow country music star Dolly Parton shared her condolences on Instagram, calling him “one of the greats.”

“It’s always hard when we lose our brothers and sisters in country music,” Parton wrote. “Toby Keith was one of the greats in every way. He will be missed but his music and legacy will live on.”

Carrie Underwood shared a series of photos of herself and Keith in an Instagram post.

“Saddle up the horses, Jesus, ‘cause a true blue COWBOY just made his ride up to heaven!!!” Underwood captioned the post. “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.”

“An iconic artist and a great man,” Luke Bryan wrote on Instagram. “Your songs turn every room into a good time.”

“We covered ‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy’ at every show last year,” Jelly Roll wrote on his Instagram Story. “Toby inspired millions and I was one of them. RIP.”

“Even though I knew about your battle these last few months I still never imagined this day. Anyone who knew you knows what I mean,” Blake Shelton wrote on X.

“You were the toughest man I ever met. Thank you brother for being a friend, a hero and an inspiration,” Shelton added. “There will never be another Toby Keith.”

Jason Aldean, Kid Rock, Zach Bryan pay tribute to Toby Keith

“Today is a sad day for Country music and its fans,” Jason Aldean wrote Tuesday morning on X, formerly Twitter. “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.”

Kid Rock expressed feeling “regret” that he didn’t blow off a recent work commitment to go see Keith. “I didn’t know (his cancer) was in this stage, unfortunately,” he said on “Fox & Friends” Tuesday.

“What a great patriot. Can’t say enough great things about him. He was just a great, great man. And he was a lot of fun,” the “All Summer Long” singer added. “My heart goes out to his family, all his friends here in Nashville, all around the country, all around the world, but especially I’m thinking of his wife and his children right now.”

Don McLean expressed admiration for Keith’s commitment to music amid his cancer diagnosis. “He released new music, and he was on stage at the end,” McLean said in a statement. “There is nothing coming along to replace people like him.”

In a lengthy tribute, country singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood wrote on X that Keith “did things his way” and called the country star an “amazing artist, songwriter, patriot and man of faith.”

“too many rides in my old man’s car listening to Toby Keith. really hard thing to hear rest in peace friend,” Zach Bryan wrote on X, “we love you.”

“Toby Keith was a true trail blazer,” country music band Old Dominion wrote on X. “Authentic and heartfelt but always with a wink ’til the end. He was larger than life in so many ways and his music will live on forever! Raising our red solos tonight—you will be missed by so many. Peace.”

Tim McGraw reminisces about ‘good times’ with Toby Keith in touching tribute

Tim McGraw, who released his debut album on the same day as Toby Keith in April 1993, mourned Keith’s death in an Instagram post.

“Toby and I spent quite a bit of time together early in our careers,” McGraw wrote. “We had a lot of good times and conversations about what we wanted out of our careers and our lives. He was a maverick. He did things his way, on his terms, a true artist. I always have and always will have tremendous respect for his artistry, dedication and fearlessness to do his thing. We all will miss you, brother.”

Country duo Dan + Shay posted a cover of Keith’s song “She Never Cried in Front of Me” as part of its tribute to the late singer.

“Used to cover to this song back in the early days,” the group wrote on Instagram. “RIP to one of the greatest country music songwriters of all time. You’ll be missed, @tobykeith. ❤️”

Bobby Bones, Kristin Chenoweth, more share Toby Keith memories

Bobby Bones, who opened for Keith on tour, wrote on X, “So sad to hear about Toby Keith dying. wow. He was just with us in studio and seemed super positive.”

“Ive had the honor of opening for him on his tour. playing with him at festivals. and having him, in studio many times. Gathering notes and thoughts to talk about it coming up this morning,” Bones added.

Actress, singer and fellow Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth shared her thoughts on Keith on Instagram. “My fellow Okie. You’re so loved, Toby. We will all miss you so terribly,” she captioned a photo of herself with Keith and Trace Adkins at the American Country Awards. “Dad and I sure did love seeing you on the field at the OU games. Rest easy – you fought a hell of a battle.”

Musician Brantley Gilbert, on X, called Keith a “class act, a friend and one of the most talented guys you’ll ever meet.”

“Toby Keith has gone home. This is very sad news. We loved and respected him on every level and whispered many a prayer for him as he fought this illness,” The Oak Ridge Boys quartet said in a joint statement. “God must have needed a big-hearted Oklahoma singing boy for the great choir. Well, he got one. RIP Toby Keith.”

Toby Keith speaks after receiving the BMI Icon Award during the BMI’s 70th Annual Country Awards at the BMI Music Row Headquarters in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.

Trio Chapel Hart called Keith “the embodiment of GOD, Family, & Country… and had a way of making you stand up a little taller when singing about (or honoring) our service men and women.””I knew Toby from back in our Oklahoma nightclub days. He was the leader of the Easy Money band, and I remember looking up to him as a band leader even back then,” Heath Wright of Ricochet said. “I’m told that he came out to the last show we performed in Grove, Oklahoma, but had to leave before we came off stage. I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye or tell him how much I’ve looked up to him over the years. I hope he knew. Rest in peace, my Oklahoma brother!”

Tim Atwood recalled the late singer went to Iraq while his son Torre was serving his first tour. “Toby was told of a small group of men in ‘No Man’s Land’ but was strongly advised not to go there. It was too dangerous. Toby insisted. He didn’t want to endanger the lives of other musicians and entertainers, so he went alone,” Atwood recalled. “But for a few hours, Toby and his guitar brought a piece of America to a handful of Americans who needed a reminder that they were not forgotten. I will always love Toby Keith for the morale boost he gave my son when he needed it most.”

Toby Keith died from stomach cancer at age 62.

Dustin Lynch thanked Keith for inspiring him “and the next generation of cowboys,” he wrote on X, “we’ll ride on with you and make sure our flag flies high.”

John Rich of Big & Rich took to X, writing, “Waking up to the terrible news that our friend, and legend @tobykeith has passed away from cancer. He was a true Patriot, a first class singer/songwriter, and a bigger than life kind of guy. He will be greatly missed.”

“God Bless you and Family. Hard to imagine an America without Toby Keith in it,” singer Randy Houser commented.

Channing Wilson wrote, “Hate to hear this. You fought hard brother. Prayers for his family. RIPTK.”

“Wow this announcement has totally taken my breath away. I’ve been praying for Toby and it is truly wonderful to know he is finally home praise Jesus,” Stephen Baldwin commented.

Country singer-songwriter Toby Keith, dies at 62

OU community, sports figures honor Toby Keith

Tributes for Keith, an avid University of Oklahoma fan, also came pouring in from the university’s community Tuesday.

OU posted a statement from university President Joseph Harroz Jr. on X, noting Keith gave “back generously to his fellow Oklahomans.”

“His spirit will live on through his timeless music, the memories he created, and the countless lives he touched by sharing his talent, generosity, and his Oklahoma spirit with the world,” read the statement.

Toby Keith and Tricia Lucas arrive for the People’s Choice Country Awards at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn. in September 2023.

“Can’t believe we lost our dear personal friend, Toby Keith. Filled with deep sadness but flooded with wonderful memories too,” Joe Castiglione, the university’s vice president of athletics, wrote on X. “He was as authentic as they come & did more for people than anyone will ever know … Rest high on that mountain Big T.”

Sports figures also paid tribute, including former NFL player and sports analyst Michael Vick, who shared a photo of Keith on X, calling the singer a “legend.”

“Rest easy,” sports talk show host Pat McAfee simply wrote on X.

Donald Trump Jr., politicians share Toby Keith tributes

The political sphere paid tribute to Keith, who often wore his politics on his sleeve.

Donald Trump Jr. shared a photo of himself and Keith, tweeting: “We lost a legend this week.”

Fox News host Jeanine Pirro shared her condolences, writing on X that Keith was “a mountain of a man and an icon in country music with a voice that will live on forever.”

Politician Mayra Flores Vallejo wrote on X that Keith was an “American icon and a legend.”

Toby Keith dies at 62 amid stomach cancer battle

Keith died peacefully on Monday surrounded by his family, according to a statement posted on the country singer’s website. “He fought his fight with grace and courage,” the statement said. He was diagnosed in 2021.

Keith revealed his diagnosis in a June 2022 Instagram post, noting he “spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery.”

“So far, so good,” he wrote at the time. “I need time to breathe, recover and relax. I am looking forward to spending this time with my family. But I will see the fans sooner than later. I can’t wait.”

He was in similarly good spirits at the People’s Choice Country Awards, where he received the 2023 Country Icon award in September. “It’s a little bit of a roller coaster. You get good days and, you know, you’re up and down, up and down,” Keith told E! News. “It’s always zero to 60 and 60 to zero, but I feel good.”

Toby Keith dies after cancer battle: What to know about stomach cancer

Keith returned to performing late last year, including dual Las Vegas “rehab” shows, as he referred to them, to allow him to get reacquainted with performing.

Sometimes a polarizing figure in country music, the 6-foot-4 singer broke out in the country boom years of the 1990s, crafting an identity around his macho, pro-American swagger and writing songs that fans loved to hear.

Over his career, he publicly clashed with other celebrities and journalists and often pushed back against record executives who wanted to smooth his rough edges.

He was known for his overt patriotism on post-Sept. 11 songs like “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” and boisterous barroom tunes like “I Love This Bar” and “Red Solo Cup.” He had a powerful booming voice, a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor and range that carried love songs as well as drinking songs.

Among his 20 No. 1 Billboard hits were “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” “As Good As I Once Was,” “My List” and “Beer for My Horses,” a duet with Willie Nelson.

Contributing: Leora Arnowitz, Jane Onyanga-Omara, Taijuan Moorman and Edward Segarra, USA TODAY; Marcus Dowling, The Nashville Tennessean; The Associated Press

Toby Keith, in one of his final interviews, remained optimistic amid cancer battle

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Toby Keith dies after stomach cancer battle: Stephen Colbert recalls ‘improbable’ friendship