For Parrotheads worldwide, Jimmy Buffett’s death was the end of an era of the world’s best escapism sounds. Jimmy Buffett died on Friday, September 1, 2023, at age 76. With Jimmy Buffett’s posthumously induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Musical Excellence category in October 2024, fans can only remember the “Margaritaville” singer for his good-humored, laid-back, tropical musical talents.
Jimmy Buffett’s death was confirmed on the singer’s official website. It read, “Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1 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.” In honoring the iconic musician, here’s a closer look at his life, career, empire, and death.
Jimmy Buffett’s Early Life & Career
The American singer-songwriter was born James William Buffett in Pascagoula, Mississippi, on Christmas Day of 1946. Although born in Pascagoula, Buffett was raised alongside his two younger sisters in Mobile and Fairhope, Alabama. He was born to James Delaney Buffett, Jr. and Mary Lorraine (née Peets). Jimmy Buffett was exposed to and had an early interest in sailing in his early years. Besides working for the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Buffett’s father was also a sailor. Jimmy Buffett’s grandfather was a steamship captain from Newfoundland, Canada.
Long before he found an interest in music, Jimmy Buffett was raised Catholic, served as an altar boy, and was educated by Jesuits. Buffett’s earliest exposure to music was in the 1950s when he played the trombone in the school band. However, it wasn’t until age 14, in 1961, that he first desired a career as a musician. Although he enrolled at Alabama’s Auburn University, he struggled and failed to combine his love for music, girls, and classes. After departing Auburn University in 1966, he later got a degree in history in 1969, after continuing at Pearl River Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi.
A year after graduating, Jimmy Buffett moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in hopes of furthering his country music career. When things didn’t go according to plan, he left Nashville, including his job as an editorial assistant for Billboard, and moved to Key West after initially accompanying fellow country singer Jerry Jeff Walker. It was an easy decision for Buffet, having only sold 324 copies of his first album, Down to Earth.
Jimmy Buffett’s Career Successes
Jimmy Buffett’s musical career began to pick up after the release of his third studio album, A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean. By this time, Buffett had signed a recording contract with ABC/Dunhill Records, releasing the album in June 1973. Buffett used his money from the album sales to buy a boat. His first Billboard Hot 100 single, “Come Monday,” was written by his second wife, Jane Slagsvol, a girlfriend at the time. “Come Monday” was from Jimmy Buffett’s fourth studio album, Living & Dying in 3/4 Time, released in February 1974.
Jimmy Buffett formed his touring and recording band, Coral Reefer Band, in 1975. His seventh album, Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, released in January 1977, had Buffett’s hit song, “Margaritaville.” In 2004, three decades after his single entered the Billboard Hot 100, Jimmy Buffett was still making waves. His twenty-fifth studio album, License to Chill, topped the U.S. pop albums chart for the first time in his career. In his lifetime, Jimmy Buffett released over 30 studio albums. Of these 30 albums, 8 were certified gold by the RIAA. 9 of Jimmy Buffett’s studio albums were RIAA-certified platinum or multi-platinum.
Jimmy Buffett was more than just a musician. He was also a successful businessman. Buffet won a lawsuit in 1983 challenging the trademarking of his “Margaritaville” by the defunct Mexican food restaurant chain Chi-Chi’s. Jimmy Buffett started several ventures, capitalizing on the popularity and success of his musical career. He was also a bestselling author. Jimmy Buffett was worth an estimated $1 billion at the time of his death.
Jimmy Buffett’s Death
At the time his death was announced, Jimmy Buffett’s cause of death was not mentioned. However, it was reported Jimmy Buffett died from complications from Merkel-cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive skin cancer. Buffet had reportedly battled the cancer for four years before his death. However, the illness was not made public, as Jimmy Buffett continued touring while under treatment. Jimmy Buffett died in his Sag Harbor, New York, home on September 1, 2023, at age 76. Yeti released a 34-minute tribute documentary film about Jimmy Buffett in July 2024. Besides Jimmy Buffett, Hollywood also lost former The Price Is Right game show host Bob Barker at age 99 in 2023.
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