Toby Keith has passed away at the age of 62. Keith had been battling stomach cancer for 18 months. He continued to record and perform throughout his illness and had just released his most recent album, “100% Songwriter,” in November. Keith’s family announced his passing in a press release posted to his website and on social media late Monday that read “Toby Keith passed away peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family, he fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.”

Sometimes a polarizing figure in country music, the 6-foot-4 singer broke out in the country boom years of the 1990s, crafting an identity around his macho, pro-American swagger and writing songs that fans loved to hear. Over his career he publicly clashed with other celebrities and journalists and often pushed back against record executives who wanted to smooth his rough edges.

Among his 20 No. 1 Billboard hits were “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” “As Good As I Once Was,” “My List” and “Beer for My Horses,” a duet with Willie Nelson.