Posted on 09/02/2023 6:41:10 PM PDT by Morgana
Legendary singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, who epitomized beach-bum escapism with his hit 'Margaritaville' and turned the song that celebrated loafing into a billion-dollar business empire, has died. He was 76.
'Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,' a statement posted to Buffett's official website and social media pages said. 'He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.'
Buffett died after being diagnosed with skin cancer four years ago, a source told TMZ. He entered a hospice on Monday and had been visited by Paul McCartney at his home a week ago, with the former Beatle singing to Buffett and his family.
From humble beginnings as an admitted small-time marijuana smuggler in Key West, Buffett built a sprawling business empire based on his Caribbean-flavored soft rock that celebrated the Florida Keys, sunshine and nightlife.
His name became synonymous with a laid-back subtropical party vibe, and his legions of loyal fans, known as ParrotHeads, flocked to his restaurants, resorts and concerts. At his death, Buffet had a net worth of $1 billion, according to Forbes.
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I wonder how many lives he improved through his music and business ventures.
Don McLean had other wonderful songs. He was one of the first to retain the rights to his songs.. AMERICAN PIE made him a rich man for the rest of his life. I saw him in concert about 18 years ago. He was amazing.
I always thought that “In the Shelter” and “Biloxi” were his two best songs.
Margaritaville is an example of a song played to death, overused.
Jesse Winchester wrote “Biloxi,” though Buffet’s cover is quite good.
If you were never amongst 10,000 people on the lawn at Merriweather Post Pavilion (Maryland), singing along to “Why Don’t We Get Drunk and Screw,” you life is incomplete.
Well he did parlay what talent he had into a lucrative business empire. I was not a big fan and his music was pretty much what I call Bubble Gum stuff. He wasn’t what I would call a serious musician, but he did pretty well. He certainly did better than most and there were a lot that were one hit wonders and he did escape that.
But I agree some of his songs were just done to death.
Jimmy re-recorded “In The Shelter” during the COVID lockdown. I still prefer the original, but the new version is just different enough to be interesting.
I forgot my manners:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH-cPckntEY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvJpGaCtfok
He was too drunk and wasted away to get out of the sun
Give him his props. He had some serious business acumen.
My favorite tune was his duet with Martina McBride: “Trip Around the Sun”.
Underneath that laid back Key West attitude there must have been a shrewd businessman. He never really had any Number 1 hits but he toured constantly and always drew crowds. Living in Atlanta in the late 70s he was huge. Almost fifty years later he was still a draw. I was just in Margaritaville in Key West last January. RIP Jimmy B.
Starry Night yes is his other great song.
Really? Such a song is hardly a celebration of conservative values.
His first few albums were semi-country gems. When he transitioned to the sun-soaked, beachy, Florida/Caribbean drunken Yuppie/Parrothead nonsense...meh.
That said, RIP.
I did that more times than I can remember!!!
GREAT time was had by all!!!
RIP Jimmy!
thats nice but how do you enjoy a billion dollars when dead at 76?....one song son of a son of a sailor
RIP Mr. Margaritaville.
Rest in Parrotdise, Jimmy
I hated his politics. I loved his music. He was a good man. Put him in the ground covered with coral or scatter his ashes on a Key West Coral Reef from his amphibian plane he once flew. He would like that.
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