Jimmy Buffett.Photo: Noam Galai/Getty
The music world lost a light on Sept. 1, 2023,when Jimmy Buffett diedat the age of 76.Throughout his lengthy, successful career, the singer was known for his laid-back, eternal vacation vibes, which drew thousands of loyal fans to concerts, a Broadway show and even a chain of restaurants and hotels.“I wish I could say that some secret plan for world domination was devised years ago, but I don’t have a clue as to why, when or how all this happened. I’m not going to dissect it,” Buffett told PEOPLE in 1994. “It’d ruin all the fun of being in the middle of it.“Here, a look back on his life in photos.
The music world lost a light on Sept. 1, 2023,when Jimmy Buffett diedat the age of 76.
Throughout his lengthy, successful career, the singer was known for his laid-back, eternal vacation vibes, which drew thousands of loyal fans to concerts, a Broadway show and even a chain of restaurants and hotels.
“I wish I could say that some secret plan for world domination was devised years ago, but I don’t have a clue as to why, when or how all this happened. I’m not going to dissect it,” Buffett told PEOPLE in 1994. “It’d ruin all the fun of being in the middle of it.”
Here, a look back on his life in photos.
01of 10Jimmy Buffett’s Early YearsMCA Records/GettyJimmy Buffett was born on Dec. 25, 1946 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and raised partially in Alabama.After graduating from college with a history degree, Buffett worked briefly as a writer forBillboardmagazine, and also spent several years working on a fishing boat before releasing his first album,Down to Earth,in 1970.
01of 10
Jimmy Buffett’s Early Years
MCA Records/Getty
Jimmy Buffett was born on Dec. 25, 1946 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and raised partially in Alabama.
After graduating from college with a history degree, Buffett worked briefly as a writer forBillboardmagazine, and also spent several years working on a fishing boat before releasing his first album,Down to Earth,in 1970.
02of 10Wasting Away in ‘Margaritaville’Tom Hill/WireImageIt was Buffett’s 1977 single “Margaritaville,” off the albumChanges in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, that really put him on the map.Buffett continued to release a steady stream of albums over the next few decades, but became known mainly as a massive concert draw, with his annual shows with his Coral Reefer Band raking in millions for the star.
02of 10
Wasting Away in ‘Margaritaville’
Tom Hill/WireImage
It was Buffett’s 1977 single “Margaritaville,” off the albumChanges in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, that really put him on the map.
Buffett continued to release a steady stream of albums over the next few decades, but became known mainly as a massive concert draw, with his annual shows with his Coral Reefer Band raking in millions for the star.
03of 10
His Ongoing Career
Tim Mosenfelder/Getty
Despite his devoted fan base and the popularity of his songs, he never had a soloNo. 1 on the Billboard charts(“Margaritaville” peaked at No. 8).
04of 10
Jimmy and Jane
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty
Buffett was previously married to Margie Washichek from 1969 to 1971.
05of 10Buffett on BroadwayNoam Galai/GettyIn 2017, the singer’s tunes got their own jukebox Broadway musical,Escape to Margaritaville,which made its way to Broadway for a brief run in 2018.Buffett had previously spoken about developing a love of musical theater as a child thanks to his mom Mary, who spent her time off from the shipyard with the Mobile Theatre Guild in Alabama.“She would always be in productions, and she would take me to the shows when they’d come through town,” he toldEntertainment Weeklyin 2018.
05of 10
Buffett on Broadway
Noam Galai/Getty
In 2017, the singer’s tunes got their own jukebox Broadway musical,Escape to Margaritaville,which made its way to Broadway for a brief run in 2018.
Buffett had previously spoken about developing a love of musical theater as a child thanks to his mom Mary, who spent her time off from the shipyard with the Mobile Theatre Guild in Alabama.
“She would always be in productions, and she would take me to the shows when they’d come through town,” he toldEntertainment Weeklyin 2018.
06of 10Restaurants and BeyondCourtesy Jimmy BuffettThe success of “Margaritaville” helped change the trajectory of Buffett’s career, as it went on to spawn a business of the same name featuring everything from resorts and restaurants to apparel and drinks. A chain of “Cheeseburger in Paradise” restaurants followed, based on another of his hit tunes.
06of 10
Restaurants and Beyond
Courtesy Jimmy Buffett
The success of “Margaritaville” helped change the trajectory of Buffett’s career, as it went on to spawn a business of the same name featuring everything from resorts and restaurants to apparel and drinks. A chain of “Cheeseburger in Paradise” restaurants followed, based on another of his hit tunes.
07of 10
In ‘Jurassic World’ and Beyond
Universal
08of 10Playing for ParrotheadsTim Mosenfelder/WireImageThrough it all, Buffett kept touring almost annually, bringing out his Parrotheads (a.k.a. fans) to concerts around the world.“What’s most important is to please the Parrotheads, because there’s more to the music than just the music,” he toldEWin 1995. “It’s become a lifestyle. I wish I could take credit, but it’s fan-generated.”
08of 10
Playing for Parrotheads
Tim Mosenfelder/WireImage
Through it all, Buffett kept touring almost annually, bringing out his Parrotheads (a.k.a. fans) to concerts around the world.
“What’s most important is to please the Parrotheads, because there’s more to the music than just the music,” he toldEWin 1995. “It’s become a lifestyle. I wish I could take credit, but it’s fan-generated.”
09of 10Man Behind the MusicBruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/FilmMagicIn addition to his music, Buffett was a best-selling author and philanthropist who founded the nonprofitSave the Manatee Clubin 1981 with then-Florida Gov. Bob Graham.Forbesreported in 2023 that the star was a billionaire, and that his assets included an estimated $570 million from touring and recording, a music catalog worth $50 million and $140 million in planes, homes and shares in Berkshire Hathaway.Buffett also lived quite the adventurous life,surviving at least three near-death experiencesduring his adult life on boats and in planes.
09of 10
Man Behind the Music
Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
In addition to his music, Buffett was a best-selling author and philanthropist who founded the nonprofitSave the Manatee Clubin 1981 with then-Florida Gov. Bob Graham.
Forbesreported in 2023 that the star was a billionaire, and that his assets included an estimated $570 million from touring and recording, a music catalog worth $50 million and $140 million in planes, homes and shares in Berkshire Hathaway.
Buffett also lived quite the adventurous life,surviving at least three near-death experiencesduring his adult life on boats and in planes.
10of 10
His Later Years
Buffett was forced to reschedule a concert in May of 2023 after he washospitalized in Boston"to address some issues that needed immediate attention,” he told fans in a statement shared to Twitter. “Growing old is not for sissies, I promise you.”
He died from Merkel cell skin cancer on September 1, 2023, at 76 years old.
source: people.com
