Toby Keith Rick Diamond/WireImage/Getty Photos
Toby Keith’s longtime rep mentioned the late nation singer was “misunderstood” following his dying at age 62.
“I liked Toby Keith,” Elaine Schock mentioned in a press release on Tuesday, February 6. “He was sensible, enjoyable to be with and we might have some sturdy discussions. Plus, he may write and sing his ass off.”
Schock additionally pushed again on the favored misconceptions about Keith that took maintain through the years. “Toby was type. I feel he was misunderstood as a result of he was painted a sure means, however that was an incorrect portrait,” she continued. “He was a lot extra. He was actually one of the crucial brave males I knew.”
The “Made in America” singer died on Monday, February 5, after a battle with most cancers, his household introduced on Tuesday. Keith revealed in June 2022 that he had been recognized with abdomen most cancers.
“Toby Keith handed peacefully final night time on February fifth, surrounded by his household. He fought his struggle with grace and braveness,” his household’s assertion learn. “Please respect the privateness of his household right now.”
Keith is survived by spouse Tricia Lucus, whom he married in 1984, their three kids and 4 grandchildren.
Over the course of his prolonged profession, Keith launched 19 studio albums and had 20 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Sizzling Nation chart, together with 1993’s “Ought to’ve Been a Cowboy” , 1999’s “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” 2003’s “Beer for My Horses” that includes Willie Nelson and extra.
Keith was one of the crucial well-liked nation artists, receiving 11 Academy of Nation Music Awards, together with Entertainer of the Yr in 2003 and 2004, however he confronted loads of controversy all through his profession. When Schock mentioned he was “misunderstood,” she could have been referring to the backlash he obtained when he launched the music “Courtesy of the Pink, White and Blue (The Offended American)” in 2002.
The music expressed the craze Keith and different People felt after the 9/11 terrorist assaults, with specific lyrics together with, “You’ll be sorry that you simply messed with the U.S. of A / ‘Trigger we’ll put a boot in your ass, it’s the American means.”
“I wrote it in order that I had one thing to play for our preventing women and men,” he informed Time in March 2004. “However as soon as individuals mentioned I ought to launch it, I knew there was going to be bother. I’m comfy being excessive, however saying ‘boot in your ass’ is so excessive. After all, for those who say, ‘foot in your butt,’ you bought no music.”
The music struck a bitter nerve with Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks, now identified merely as The Chicks.
“I hate it,” she informed the Los Angeles Every day Information in 2002. “It makes nation music sound ignorant. It targets a whole tradition — and never simply the dangerous individuals who did dangerous issues. You’ve bought to have some tact. Anyone can write, ‘We’ll put a boot in your ass.’ However lots of people agree with it.”
Detrimental responses additionally prevented Keith from singing the music on tv.
He was scheduled to carry out on a 4th of July ABC particular in 2002, however his look was canceled due to the provocative lyrics of “Courtesy of the Pink, White and Blue.”
“I knew it might be polarizing,” he informed Fox in 2021. “I knew it might be a lightning rod. And I prayed about it. However on the finish of the day, it was a battle cry for our guys to go win and get again residence safely and go do what People actually do.”