"But still, for the most part, Buffett shows are for lushes, not druggies"
No doubt. The numerous people who couldn't 'hold' their alcohol made me swear off ever returning to this annual collection of drunks. And "Gypsies in the Palace" Tour blew massive chunks, honestly.
I've probably outgrown some of this too, sad to say.
Although, you know, going to concerts in a minivan DOES have it's advantages... ;-)
I saw Buffett once about 15 years ago. I wasn't very impressed with his live show. He sings off key. He hams it up so much that it sorta kills the songs for my taste. But that's what his audience wants. I think he sounds pretty good on record, or did back in the day, and wrote some good songs. I liked albums like "White Sport Coat with a Pink Crustaceon" and "Son of a son of a sailor." Good songwriting with good production. The best example of the country/calypso blend that he trademarked. But all the hamboning and boozing I can live without. He becomes more of a cheerleader than a singer/songwriter. But like I say, that's the gig. So I didn't ever go back.
My daughter was in Vegas a while ago and said she knew Jimmy Buffett was in town because she saw a bunch of drunk middle-aged men in Hawaiian shirts walking around town with cocktails in their hand.