It’s a sad day in Margaritaville as the music industry mourns the loss of one of the greatest to ever step foot on stage. Jimmy Buffett, who was diagnosed with skin cancer four years ago, passed away on Friday (September 1) – he was 76 years old at the time of his death. Our hearts go out to his family.
He was surrounded by family, friends, pets, and, of course, music in his final moments – sources say he began receiving hospice care a few weeks ago and even had Sir Paul McCartney perform at his home last week. “He lived his life in the sun, literally and figuratively,” one source told TMZ on Saturday.
He kept his skin cancer diagnosis under wraps for nearly four years, but people close to the situation revealed that it eventually turned into lymphoma. “He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many,” read a statement published on the singer’s official website.
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Jimmy Buffett has been struggling with his health in recent years – resulting in him being forced to cancel a number of his performances over the past year. He last performed in May 2022 at the Jazz Fest in New Orleans and was scheduled to perform in South Carolina in May 2023, but was hospitalized last minute.
As news of his passing hits the airwaves, many of his friends, colleagues, fans, and more took to social media to pay tribute to a legacy that may never be duplicated. For example, Kenny Chesney posted a video of himself performing the first verse of Buffett’s hit song ‘A Pirate Looks at Forty’ (released in 1974).
Toby Keith described Jimmy Buffett as a ‘tremendous influence on so many of us,’ while Alan Jackson quoted lyrics to their song ‘Boats to Build,’ which they recorded together in 2004. “Shores distant shores / There’s where I’m headed for / I got the stars to guide my way / Sail into the light of day…” the lyric read.
“Jimmy Buffett was a unique and treasured entertainer. His fans adored him and he never let them down. This is the saddest of news. A lovely man gone way too soon. Condolences to (his wife) Jane and the family from (my husband) David (Furnish) and me,” Elton John wrote – taking to his Instagram Story.
Jimmy Buffett Was More Than a Musician – He Was a Legend
Jimmy Buffett was born December 25, 1946 and started his music career in his early-20s – he released his first album, ‘Down to Earth,’ in 1970 and it was only up from there. Over the past 50+ years, he has released 29 studio albums, 9 compilation albums, 14 live albums, 8 specialty albums, and 67 singles.
He was a touring machine throughout his career – headlining more than 40 tours and doing so at least once almost every year since 1976. He loved to perform for his fans and loved to create new music to entertain us with, but that’s not the only thing he excelled at – he was also a notable businessman.
Many people underestimate the fact that Jimmy Buffett grew a billion-dollar empire largely inspired by his hit song ‘Margaritaville’ and his overall love of the tropics. For example, he owned two very popular and successful restaurant chains – the Margaritaville Cafe and the Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurants.
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Not only that, but he owned a Margaritaville-themed Tequila brand, footwear brand, food brand, record label, and so much more. He certainly was more than a musician and it’s what we’re going to miss most about him. He once said, “If there’s a heaven for me, I’m sure it has a beach attached.” We sure hope so!
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