Toby Keith performed sold-out shows 2 months before death

Despite his cancer battle, Toby Keith kept performing until just two months ago. 

The country superstar, who died Monday at age 62, gave three sold-out concerts in Las Vegas in December. Announced as his “triumphant return to the stage,” the trio of shows would ultimately be his last.

Demand for the crooner’s comeback, more than a year after he announced he had stomach cancer in June 2022 (he was diagnosed in 2021), was sky-high.

Tickets were gone in minutes, and it became one of the fastest-selling events in the history of the Dolby Live at Park MGM, Keith’s website says.

The singer performed his single “Don’t Let the Old Man In” from Clint Eastwood’s 2018 film “The Mule” alongside older hits such as “Beer for My Horses” and “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” 

Two weeks after the concerts on Dec. 10, 11 and 14, Keith wrote on Instagram that they were “a damn good way to end the year.”

While the Vegas stint marked Keith’s comeback for ticket-buying audiences, in September he also performed during the People’s Choice Country Awards.

He spoke candidly about his health at the time. 

“It’s a little bit of a roller coaster,” he told “E! News.” “You get good days and, you know, you’re up and down, up and down. It’s always zero to 60 and 60 to zero but I feel good today.”

Keith also accepted the Country Icon award that night.

“I bet you never thought y’all’d see me in skinny jeans,” he joked of his cancer-related weight loss. “I want to thank the Almighty for allowing me to be here tonight, he’s been riding shotgun with me for a little while now.” 

On Tuesday, Keith’s family said in a statement posted to his social media accounts, “Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on Feb. 5 surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage.” 

One day before his death, footage of Keith onstage was shared on his Instagram page. “And that’s a wrap on the weekend, y’all. Back to it,” the caption read.

Keith is survived by his wife, Tricia Lucus, and their three children, Shelley, Krystal and Stelen. He also leaves behind four grandchildren.