(New York) Singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, known for the hit “Margaritaville” that turned this celebration of idleness into a billion-dollar empire, is no more. He was 76 years old.
Published at 11:21 am.
Mark Kennedy Associated Press
“Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,” said a statement released Friday evening on Buffett’s official website and social media pages. “He lived his life like a song until his last breath and will be missed immensely by so many. »
Buffett is survived by his wife Jane, his daughters Savannah and Sarah, and his son Cameron.
The press release did not specify where Buffett died or the cause of death. An illness forced him to postpone his concerts in May. The main victim had admitted in publications on social networks that he had been hospitalized, without providing any information about his health problems.
Tributes poured in Saturday from all walks of life, from Hollywood star Miles Teller, who posted photos of himself with Buffett, to former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama, who wrote about his life and the world will miss him. »
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys wrote: “Love and mercy, Jimmy Buffett. »
“Jimmy Buffet was an American music icon who inspired generations with the desire to step back and enjoy life,” US President Joe Biden said in a statement: “He was in life what he showed on stage: full of joy and goodwill his talent for bringing people together.
“This is very sad news, a charming man has gone far too soon,” reacted British singer Elton John on Instagram, “Jimmy Buffett was a unique and valuable artist.”
James William Buffett was born on Christmas Day 1946 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and grew up in the port city of Mobile, Alabama. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and began busking on the streets of New Orleans, playing at Bourbon Street clubs six nights a week.
He recorded more than 50 studio and live albums, often accompanied by his Coral Reefer Band, and was constantly touring. He received two Grammy nominations and three country music award nominations.
From song to empire
Margaritaville, released February 14, 1977, is a leisurely portrait of a lounger on his porch watching tourists sunbathing as a pot of shrimp begins to cook.
The song from the album “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” spent 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, peaking at number 8. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2016 for its cultural and historical significance.
The song quickly inspired restaurants and resorts, turning Buffett’s supposed desire for the simplicity of island life into a multimillion-dollar brand. With a net worth of one billion, he reached number 18 on Forbes’ list of the richest celebrities of all time.
PHOTO SCOTT MCINTYRE, THE NEW YORK TIMES ARCHIVE
The song quickly inspired restaurants and resorts, turning Buffett’s supposed desire for the simplicity of island life into a multimillion-dollar brand.
The development of the Buffett brand began in 1985 with the opening of a series of Margaritaville-style shops and restaurants in Key West, followed by the opening of the first Margaritaville Café nearby in 1987. Over the next two decades, several more locations were opened in Florida, New Orleans and California opened.
The brand has since expanded into dozens of categories including resorts, men’s and women’s apparel and footwear, a radio station, a beer brand, iced tea, tequila and rum, home decor, foods such as salad dressing, Margaritaville Crunchy Pimento Cheese & Shrimp Bites and Margaritaville Cantina Style Medium Chunky Salsa, Margaritaville at Sea cruise line and restaurants such as Margaritaville Restaurant, JWB Prime Steak and Seafood, 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill and LandShark Bar & Grill.
Buffett is also the author of numerous books, including Where Is Joe Merchant? and A Pirate Looks Fifty. He also appeared in films and television series, in which he often referred to his great success.