Fans raise a red Solo cup to honor Toby Keith, who immortalized the humble cup in song

Red Solo cups – a staple of barbecues and beer pong – are usually synonymous with good times.

But on Tuesday, as word of country singer Toby Keith’s death spread, many were raising their red Solos in sad tribute to the singer, who immortalized the humble plastic cups in his 2011 hit “Red Solo Cup.” Keith, who had stomach cancer, died Monday at age 62.

“He was a great American and an exceptional storyteller who will be deeply missed in country music,” said Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican, in a post Tuesday on X. “Raise your ‘Red Solo Cup’ to Toby for a life well-lived.”

Hundreds of fans said they planned to fill their red Solo cups with beer, whiskey and even wine and hoist them in Keith’s memory Tuesday. Social media was flooded with photos of Keith, red Solo cup in hand. Bars, like Madison Social in Tallahassee, Florida, and Independent Brewing Co. in Bel Air, Maryland, announced drink specials served in red Solo cups.