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John Anderson<\/a> was just trying to regain his footing after several years of health struggles that nearly took his career away when he got a game-changing offer from Blake Shelton<\/a> in 2018.<\/p>\n Anderson’s health troubles began in 2017, when he canceled a festival appearance in Alabama citing “serious medical issues<\/a>.”<\/p>\n An update a week later said he was “on the road to full recovery<\/a>,”\u00a0but that turned out to be premature.<\/p>\n Anderson spent most of 2017 and 2018 dealing with a grave illness that doctors initially feared was brain cancer, though a tumor turned out to be benign. At one point, he lost his hearing entirely and nearly lost his life.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/em> R.I.P. John Anderson: Country Stars React to Hall of Fame Singer’s Death<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n He was also hurting financially, since he had been unable to record or tour at a time when medical bills were piling up.<\/p>\n As he was turning the corner and beginning to work on the songs that would comprise his final album, 2020’s Years<\/em>, Anderson got an unexpected offer from Shelton, who was a longtime fan.<\/p>\n “My agent got a call from Blake’s management, and they said, ‘Would John go out on tour with Blake?'” he recalled in a 2020 interview with Taste of Country<\/a>.<\/p>\n “And that was like prayers being answered, because I had had to let my band go for about a year, and I didn’t have a band,” Anderson related.<\/p>\n “I said, ‘I don’t have a band,’ and they said, ‘His band’s gonna back you up. You’re only gonna have to sing three or four songs.'”<\/p>\n Anderson joined Shelton on the road for his\u00a02019 Heroes & Friends Tour, and it was such a great experience that they both hoped to repeat it.<\/p>\n “I must say about Blake Shelton, I have never been treated any better by anybody, and his organization,” Anderson added. “I made some great friends out there.”<\/p>\n Anderson and Shelton even recorded a duet on “Tuesday I’ll Be Gone<\/a>,”\u00a0a song that appeared on Years<\/em>. They were going to hit the road together again in 2020 before the pandemic put an end to those plans.<\/p>\n Years<\/em> turned out to be the final studio album of Anderson’s life, but he and Shelton remained friends.<\/p>\n In fact, they saw each other for the last time on Sunday (Oct. 18) at the 2026 Country Music Hall of Fame’s Medallion Ceremony<\/a>.<\/p>\n Though he didn’t know it at the time, Shelton got to say some final words<\/a> to his friend that he now treasures.<\/p>\n “I got to see him last Sunday and I don’t even know why, but I told him I loved him,” the singer said in a social media tribute after Anderson’s unexpected death. “That is what fills my heart in this moment.”<\/p>\n The Country Music Hall of Famer died on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026.<\/p>\n According to a statement from his publicist, he died peacefully in his sleep. He was 71 years old.<\/p>\n His cause of death has not been revealed publicly yet.<\/p>\n John Anderson falls somewhere in between ’80s and ’90s country staple and titan of the singer-songwriter world. No matter which era you prefer, it’s hard to deny he belongs in the Country Music Hall of Fame. His 15 best songs prove it!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak<\/p>\n<\/div>\n So far in 2026, country fans have mourned the deaths of country legends and other large-looming figures of pop culture. Keep reading to remember the singers, musicians, actors and other notable figures we’ve lost this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHow Did Blake Shelton Step Up to Help John Anderson?<\/h3>\n
What Did Blake Shelton Say About John Anderson’s Death?<\/h3>\n
When Did John Anderson Die?<\/h3>\n
What Was John Anderson’s Cause of Death?<\/h3>\n
John Anderson’s 15 Best Songs, Ranked<\/h2>\n
Remembering the Country Stars Who Died in 2026<\/h2>\n