♫ R.I.P. Jimmy Buffett — A Brief Tribute ♫

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, Environmental Issues, History, music, Tributes

I was saddened to hear of the death of Jimmy Buffet yesterday.  Though Buffett was not among my top ten favourite artists, he had a few songs I liked and I respected his work, the energy he brought to his performances.  Since I don’t know very much about Jimmy Buffett, I’m sharing with you Dan and Elliot’s tribute to him, with a few extra tunes added at the end …

Margaritaville

A Reason To Smile

Dan Rather and Elliot Kirschner

There was something quintessentially American about the singer/songwriter/entrepreneur Jimmy Buffett, who passed away yesterday at the age of 76. He was a showman, selling a laid-back vision of life: beaches, cocktails, sunbaked days, and parties after dark. The allure of letting loose and having fun has been a part of our national identity. But so have hard work and seizing opportunities to monetize an idea, which Buffett did with such skill that Forbes estimated his net worth this year at $1 billion. 

Buffett’s life followed an arc that exemplified the American Dream. Originally a reporter working for Billboard, he struggled as a young musician to find his voice and make his mark. That changed when he moved to Key West, Florida. He would later say that there “I found a lifestyle, and I knew that whatever I did would have to work around my lifestyle.” And it was this lifestyle — a blend of love for the open sea and the camaraderie of a seaside bar, all infused with music — that drew legions of loyal fans over decades of success. 

It’s worth noting that Buffett was not a hitmaker in the traditional sense. Only the song that made him famous, the 1977 “Margaritaville,” reached the pop Top 10. Rather, Buffett exemplified another American philosophy: that you can find your way to fame and even fortune by marching to the beat of your own drum, or if you are so lucky, your own band, the Coral Reefers. 

His songs were often fun, full of wordplay (like “Last Mango In Paris”), and meant for singalongs, which his concerts invariably became. He turned the island vibe of his music into successful lines of restaurants, resorts, tequila, and clothing. Buffett was a bestselling author in fiction and nonfiction. He even had a hit Broadway show. 

Though he left the hard partying to his youth, Buffett was able to call upon the joyful feeling of an endless summer that inspires the young, and the young at heart. But he also captured the complexities of life, love, and growing older. In a cynical world where the half-life of celebrity can be encompassed in nanosecond news cycles, Buffett endured. He knew who he was and what his fans wanted. They called themselves Parrotheads (a takeoff on the Deadhead fans of The Grateful Dead), and in his music and all that surrounded it, they found community, a vision of life well led, and a reason to smile.

Here’s an early performance of “Margaritaville”:

We also came across an appearance with David Letterman from 40 years ago, which includes an interview and a couple songs in a different style:

Finally, if you want to get a sense of what it was like to be among the Parrotheads, here’s Buffett with “Margaritaville” again at a benefit concert he did after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf in 2010. He was a committed environmentalist.

And here are just a couple more of his songs …

R.I.P., Jimmy … I hope you found your large shaker of salt!

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23 thoughts on “♫ R.I.P. Jimmy Buffett — A Brief Tribute ♫”

  1. I wasn’t a fan of his songs or style of music, but he seems to have been a warm-hearted and generous person, which is certainly something we need more of in this world. I can tell he will be missed by many.

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  3. Jill, he was a true legend. On top of his abundance of great songs, his cult like following he lovingly called “Parrot Heads,” and his successful merchandising of his brand, he did well. I have many favorites, but if I had to pick one song it would be “He went to Paris.” May he RIP. Keith

    Liked by 2 people

    • I was never sure if the “Parrot Heads” had dubbed themselves as such, or if he had. Yes, he seems to have been a wise man who knew how to use his talent, but also a generous one who was a philanthropist and environmentalist. I don’t recall the song you mention … I’ll check it out!

      Like

      • “He went to Paris, looking for answers to questions that bothered him so.

        He was impressive, young and aggressive, saving the world on his own.

        But, warm summer breezes and French wines and cheeses, put his ambition at bay,

        So, he enjoyed the clean country living and four or five years slipped away….”

        Great lullaby song. Keith

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Pingback: ♫ R.I.P. Jimmy Buffett — A Brief Tribute ♫ | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

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