American country singer Toby Keith, known for his patriotic songs, has died

Cowboy hat on his head, red beard trimmed into a goatee, guitar under his arm, American flag in the background, Toby Keith is a country icon, particularly adored in the American Midwest.

American country singer Toby Keith, known for his controversial patriotic songs and his odes to drinking, died Monday February 5 at the age of 62, according to a press release published Tuesday on his X account (ex-Twitter).

“Toby Keith passed away peacefully last night, February 5, surrounded by his family. He fought with grace and courage”we can read in the press release published on his X account. The singer from Oklahoma, in the south of the United States, was diagnosed in 2022 with stomach cancer.

During his thirty-year career, punctuated by around fifteen albums and several hits, Toby Keith frequently performed in front of American troops abroad. In 2017, he headlined the inauguration ceremony of Republican Donald Trump, an unpopular president in the world of showbiz and entertainment. But he also performed at events organized by the Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama.

His nationalism has sparked controversy, with his detractors accusing him of chauvinism. In Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American) – Courtesy of Red, White and Blue (The Angry American) – title released the day after the attacks of September 11, 2001, he did not go there with the back of the spoon: “We’re going to beat the shit out of you, that’s the American way.”

Toby Keith also has a large repertoire dedicated to the supposedly cathartic effects of alcohol, like I Love This Bar, Get Drunk and Be Somebody, Drinks After Work or Drunk Americans. Beer for My Horsesone of his biggest hits, is dedicated to the fight against crime and corruption.