Singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, who turn his hit song Margaritaville into an empire, has died.
A cause of death was not immediately released. Buffett’s death was confirmed through a statement on his official website:
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.”
His breakthrough came with Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, the million-selling No. 12 pop collection that included that signature song.
According to Variety, his faithful audience made Buffett a consistent record seller, even absent major radio hits. Active in the studio for five decades, he released four platinum and eight gold studio albums; his 1985 hits compilation Songs You Know by Heart was certified for sales of 7 million copies, while the 1992 boxed set Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads rang up 4 million units.
In the ‘80s Buffet began his move into personal branding and ancillary marketing, establishing the first Margaritaville retail store in Key West and the first Margaritaville Café in 1987, eventually turning it into a global brand with hotels, resorts, cruises, residences and restaurants, as a top tropical destination of the body and mind.
Buffett was one of the most successful and wealthiest performers/ businessmen in the world with an estimated net worth of $1 billion.
Buffett is survived by his second wife Jane, their two daughters, Sarah and Savannah, and son, Cameron.
Jimmy Buffet was 76.
Margaritaville
(performance by Buffett with personalized lyrics)
“Are you ready?
Nibblin’ on sponge cake
Watchin’ the sun bake
All of you Parrotheads covered with oil
And feathers, and signs, and pins
Strummin’ my six string on my front porch swing
Smell those shrimp, hey they’re beginnin’ to boil
Bubble, bubble, bubble, bubbleWastin’ away again in Margaritaville
Searchin’ for my long lost shaker of salt
Salt, salt, salt
Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame
And I know this is somebody’s faultI don’t know the reason
Stayed here all season
With nothing to show but that brand new tattoo
Hell yes, it hurts
But it’s a real beauty
Oh, I think she might be a Nantucket cutie
Or maybe she’s from the Vineyard
I haven’t got a clueWastin’ away again in Margaritaville
Searchin’ for my lost shaker of salt
Salt, salt, salt
Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame
I agree with that
And I know it’s all you women’s faultComing soon
Old men in tank tops
Cruisin’ the gift shops
The lost verse
Checkin’ out chiquitas down by the shore
I found ’em, I found ’em
They dream about weight loss, oh
Wish they could be their own boss
Those three day vacations become such a boreI blew out my flip flop
Stepped on a pop top
I broke my leg twice, I had to limp on back home
But there’s booze in the blender
And soon it will render
That frozen concoction that helps me hang on
Hang on, hang on, hang onWastin’ away again in Margaritaville
That’s where this ship is headed
Searchin’ for my lost shaker of salt
Salt, salt, salt
Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame
But I know it’s my own damn fault
That’s what the therapist said, hellSome people claim that there’s a woman to blame
They’re always in
And I know it’s my own damn faultWelcome home, everybody
Salt, salt, salt
Lucky we stayed
Thank you all very much
You sure make a, a boy from Mississippi
Feel right at home in Wisconsin
Thank you allI love my job
Thank you
Thank you again, Parrotheads
Not only for tonight, but 30 years of doing this, uh
I just feel very lucky to be doing it
Here’s a little song to send you on your way
Thank you again, everybody
We love you.”
