Toby Keith’s Pittsburgh-area performances recalled
Share this post:
As the country music world mourns the death of country singer Toby Keith, Pittsburghers can look back on his many performances in and near town.
Keith appeared in the Pittsburgh region a total of 13 times, the most recent being a Sept. 27, 2019, concert at Highmark Stadium outside of Station Square in Pittsburgh’s South Shore.
His first stint in Western Pennsylvania came back on May 25, 1997, at the Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown. Back then, it was being called the Coca-Cola Star Lake Amphitheater.
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.
Among Keith’s other Pittsburgh-area performances over the years, all took place at the Star Lake location:
- Aug. 13, 2016: (known then as) First Niagara Pavilion
- Sept. 26, 2015: First Niagara Pavilion
- Aug. 9, 2014: First Niagara Pavilion
- June 15, 2013: First Niagara Pavilion
- July 27, 2012: First Niagara Pavilion
- Sept. 3, 2011: First Niagara Pavilion
- Aug. 22, 2010: First Niagara Pavilion
- Sept. 24, 2004: (known then as) Post-Gazette Pavilion
- Sept. 26, 2003: Post-Gazette Pavilion
- Sept. 21, 2002: Post-Gazette Pavilion (as part of Farm Aid 2002)
- Aug. 5, 2001: Post-Gazette Pavilion
Twice, Keith’s restaurant chain TK I Love This Bar & Grill was scheduled to open a Pittsburgh location.
First, in 2009, plans were announced to open the Western-style restaurant offering Southern-style food and live music and dancing in SouthSide Works. That fell through. Then, in 2012, it was announced Keith’s restaurant would be among the first to anchor the North Shore commercial area between PNC Park and Acrisure Stadium (then Heinz Field). However, that also fell through after the chain began experiencing financial troubles. Tequila Cowboy ended up taking that space.
The singer-songwriter died Monday at age 62 following a battle with stomach cancer. He died peacefully surrounded by his family, according to a statement posted on his website.