We’re heartbroken to confirm the tragic news about Toby Keith, just months after his last performance.Country singer Toby Keith passed away Monday at the age of 62 following a battle with cancer, his family announced on Tuesday, February 6.“Toby Keith passed away peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family,” the statement issued by his family read.“He fought his fight with grace and courage,” it continued. “Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.”The Should’ve Been a Cowboy singer was disclosed the news of having cancer in June 2022. Back then, he posted on his social media and left his fans devastated and praying for his well-being.“Last fall I was diagnosed with stomach cancer. I’ve spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery,” he said in a June 2022 post on X (formerly Twitter). So far, so good. 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. -T.”
Keith was probably one of the most famous names in country music.Along with establishing a very successful career, he could also brag with an impressive family life.
Throughout his life, and especially throughout his battle with cancer, his wife of forty years, Tricia Lucus, was by his side.
The two met at a bar while he and his band were performing and they spent the night dancing together. At the time, Lucus was a 19 years old working as an oil company secretary and had a child she was raising on her own.
Speaking of Keith, she said that what attracted her to him was that “he was one of those larger-than-life guys, full of confidence.”
The couple tied the knot on March 24, 1984, after three years of dating. Keith adopted Lucus’ daughter and the two had children on their own.
Even before his diagnosis, Keith was an advocate about cancer research and in 2016 he established the Toby Keith Foundation to help provide children with cancer with housing for free.
At the People’s Choice Country Awards last September, where he received the Country Icon Award, the country singer icon shared insights into his treatment journey, describing it as a “roller coaster” experience.
His loss is immense. The world of music lost a legend, but his legacy would continue to live on. His resilient spirit would continue to inspire many more generations. May he rest in peace.
He was a real American. Famous country singer found dead this morning at his home in Texas.
Kinky Friedman, known for his satirical and often provocative style, has passed away at 79. A post on his social media announced, “Kinky Friedman stepped on a rainbow at his beloved Echo Hill surrounded by family & friends.
Kinkster endured tremendous pain & unthinkable loss in recent years but he never lost his fighting spirit and quick wit.
Kinky will live on as his books are read and his songs are sung.”
Richard Samet “Kinky” Friedman earned a cult following for his unique take on country and Western music.
He released numerous albums, starting with “Sold American” in 1973, a record that laid the foundation for his career.
Known as the “governor of the heart of Texas,” he even toured with Bob Dylan during the “Rolling Thunder Revue” and made history as the “first full-blooded Jew” to perform at the Grand Ole Opry.
Apart from his musical endeavors, Friedman was a prolific writer. He wrote detective novels and contributed as a columnist for Texas Monthly.
He also ventured into politics, running for Governor of Texas in 2006 with the campaign slogan “My Governor is a Jewish Cowboy,” securing 12.6 percent of the votes among six candidates.
Born in Chicago and raised in Texas, Friedman studied psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.
His passion for music led him to form King Arthur & the Carrots and later Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys. He described the latter as a “country band with a social conscience, a demented love child of Lenny Bruce and Bob Wills.”
Reflecting on his life, Friedman once wrote, “Somewhere in heaven, I’m sure there’s a quiet corner with a big easy chair, a bright floor lamp, a big stack of biographical books, and a few old dogs wagging their tails to the faint smell of cigar smoke.”
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