In December 2023, Toby Keith returned to the stage for a short run of shows. He performed on December 10, 11, and 14 at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas, and all three nights were sold out. At that time, many fans didn’t know those shows would be his last.
Keith died in February 2024 after a long fight with stomach cancer; he was 62. By then, he had already spent over three decades in country music. He became famous in the 1990s with hits like “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” and “Beer for My Horses.” His career included over 30 singles that reached the top ten, dozens of awards, and millions of records sold.
Toby Keith’s last performance was a patriotic song he composed for America
@jordangriffen3 @Toby Keith – Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue #tobykeith #courtesyoftheredwhiteandblue #inaugurationday #countryconcert #countrymusic #usa🇺🇸 ♬ original sound – Live Music G
Each night in Las Vegas, Keith closed the show with a familiar song: “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American).” During those shows, a video from the audience showed Keith singing the song while holding an American flag guitar. He looked thin and clearly ill, but his voice stayed sharp.
People in the crowd noticed how different he looked, but said he still sounded like the same singer from years ago. Viewers online pointed out that it was strange hearing the same powerful voice from someone whose appearance had changed so much. Many praised how he stayed committed to finishing the show with energy.
What was Toby Keith’s song, ‘Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)’ about?
Keith wrote the song shortly after the September 11 attacks. He later said he wrote it quickly, in one sitting, because he needed a track that would connect with American troops. The song describes a military response and personal pride, and it quickly became both popular and controversial.
Keith knew the song would split opinions, but he continued to perform it at concerts and military events. For years, it remained a key part of his live shows. He said the song meant something to a lot of people, especially those in the armed forces.