Keith Urban’s father dies after entering hospice care

Keith Urban’s father, Robert, passed away on Saturday evening after a long batter with cancer. The news comes only a few days after Urban reported that his father was placed in hospice care.Following his father’s death, Urban released a statement to the press, thanking everyone for their support.

I’ve been deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support that [wife Nicole Kidman] and I, and our family, have received since my Dad’s passing on Saturday night. His long battle with cancer is now over and he is finally at peace. My Dad’s love of country music and America set me on my life’s journey, and shaped so much of who I am today. Thank you to everyone who has kept us all in your thoughts and prayers.

The Australian singer had a strong relationship with his father, and credited him with spurring his own interest in music, after his father bought a Don Williams record. Urban stated that his father had a strong impact on his career and even wrote a track for him called “Song’s for Dad” for his 2002 Golden Road album.