Blake Shelton pays touching tribute to late country star Toby Keith

Blake Shelton remembered industry fellow and friend Toby Keith following the latter’s demise at the age of 62.

The country music singer took to social media to mourn the death of Keith, who reportedly "passed peacefully" on Monday night.

In a recent post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Austin chart-topper began, "Even though I knew about your battle these last few months I still never imagined this day."

"Anyone who knew you knows what I mean. You were the toughest man I ever met," The Voice judge penned.

Concluding the post he wrote on Tuesday, "Thank you brother for being a friend, a hero, and an inspiration. There will never be another Toby Keith."

Earlier, during the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards held on September 2023, the two country music luminaries shared a moment on stage when the 47-year-old performer presented the country music icon award to Keith.

In a conversation with PEOPLE at that time, the Red Solo Cup hitmaker said that he had known Shelton "forever."

"I took him out when I first got headliner status early on and I was his first big tour he got," the late musician shared.

The Should've Been a Cowboy crooner shed light on their very similar personalities, saying, "He lived in Oklahoma, so we’re kindred spirits, a lot alike,” adding, “We have fun together."

Moreover, it’s not just Gwen Stefani’s husband who expressed grief on Keith’s death, several more country music stars mourned the loss, including Dolly Parton, Dan + Shay, Jelly Roll, Luke Combs, Zach Bryan, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Chuck Wicks, Old Dominion, and Reba McEntire.