Jimmy Buffett, ‘Margaritaville’ singer, dies aged 76
Good-time musician died ‘surrounded by family, friends, music and dogs’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jimmy Buffett, the country pop singer-songwriter best known for his 1977 hit “Margaritaville”, has died at the age of 76.
A statement posted to his website and social media channels on Saturday (2 September) said: “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.”
The statement did not say where Buffett died or give a cause of death.
Mississippi-born Buffet first started playing guitar on the streets of New Orleans, before moving to Nashville where he got a job at Billboard magazine and tried to make it as a singer.
In 1977, he made it when his song “Margaritaville”, a homage to beach life, catapulted him to fame. It spawned various business endeavours for him over the years, including a resort, retirement communities, a restaurant chain and a beer brand, all businesses that helped make him a billionaire.
“Margaritaville” is a chilled-out portrait of a slacker on his front porch, watching oil-covered tourists sunbathing and boiling a pot of shrimp.
The song, from the album Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, spent 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at No 8.
It also inspired his 1989 bestseller Tales from Margaritaville and other novels.
“What seems like a simple ditty about getting blotto and mending a broken heart turns out to be a profound meditation on the often painful inertia of beach dwelling,” Spin magazine wrote in 2021. “The tourists come and go, one group indistinguishable from the other. Waves crest and break whether somebody is there to witness it or not. Everything that means anything has already happened and you’re not even sure when.”
Buffet was a regular on late-night TV over the decades, and also had a stint as an actor, appearing in 2015’s Jurassic World and TV shows such as Blue Bloods and Hawaii Five-O.
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
The ever-touring musician was loved by fans for his laid back attitude and good-time energy. His hardcore fans are known as Parrot Heads, because they would wear parrot-themed headwear at his shows.
Buffet’s other hits over his 50-year career included “Come Monday” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise”.
He was treated in hospital earlier this year for an unspecified illness, prompting him to cancel concerts.
Buffett is survived by his wife, Jane Slagsvol, and three children: Savannah, Sarah, and Cameron.