R.I.P. Jimmy Buffett
The leader of the Parrot Heads who was an early pioneer in promoting a laid-back beach culture as a musician- singer, songwriter, author, sailor, pilot, folk hero, and entrepreneur Jimmy Buffett has passed away at the age of 76.
His death was confirmed via a statement on his social media and website, revealing no other details. "Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs. He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”
People came in droves to concerts by Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band, turning them into a full and interactive experience by dressing in island wear, bringing props and singing along to the anthems that reinforced the lifestyle and culture he helped promote.
Buffett was not overly successful on the charts, with 1977’s “Margaritaville” being his only Top 10 single, but he smartly manifested himself as the figurehead of Key West calypso parties, endless sun, and a care-free vacation lifestyle, that anyone could envy.
James William Buffett was born on Christmas Day 1946 in Pascagoula, MS, to Mary and James Buffett Jr., eventually moving to places in Alabama and attending grade school at St. Ignatius School, where he started in music by playing trombone.
His grandfather would take him sailing in the summers, later inspiring the subject of his lyrics and after graduating a Catholic High School in Mobile, AL, he began college at Auburn before earning a degree in history at the University of Southern Mississippi.
He picked up the guitar while in college and following, in 1970, he moved to Nashville, hoping to make it as a country singer while also working as a journalist. His debut album, “Down to Earth,” released on Andy Williams’s label sold 324 copies.
“Come Monday,” became his first Top 40 hit as he continued to hone the Caribbean Country Rock style he would later dub “Gulf and Western”, finally coming to fruition on 1977’s “Changes in Attitudes, Changes in Latitudes,” which contained the sing that would carry him for decades, “Margaritaville.”
Buffett opened the first of many “Margaritaville” stores in 1985, with restaurants and a plethora of merchandising to follow. The empire would grow to also include a hotel chain, branded tequila, T-shirt and footwear lines, frozen food, blenders, and more; all of which made him one of the richest musicians with a worth over a billion dollars, according to Forbes.
Buffett also was an author, one of only six writers, (including Hemingway and Steinbeck?!) to top both The NY Times fiction and nonfiction lists and had three books hit the top of the bestseller list, starting with “Tales from Margaritaville” (1989).
He became a supporter of conservationist causes, moving away from the FL Keys in the late ’70s because of increasing commercialization, and would have homes in St. Barts, Palm Beach, FL, and Sag Harbor, NY.
Buffett is survived by his wife, Jane; two daughters, son, two grandsons, and two sisters. Giving the commencement speech in 2015 at the University of Miami after receiving an honorary doctorate in music, he quoted a line in his own song, "The Pascagoula Run"- "It's time to see the world, time to kiss a girl, and time to cross the wild meridian."
| John C ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com |
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