‘Margaritaville’ Singer Jimmy Buffett, Dies at 76

When you think laid back beach music, almost always the first person who comes to mind is Jimmy Buffett. Even if you only know ‘Margaritaville,’ chances are you know Jimmy! 

Sadly, the singer-songwriter has passed away at 76-years-old. 

“Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,” a statement posted to Buffett’s official website and social media pages said late Friday. “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. Illness had forced him to reschedule concerts in May and Buffett acknowledged in social media posts that he had been hospitalized, but provided no specifics.

Buffett was born on Christmas Day 1946 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and raised in the port town of Mobile, Alabama. He moved to Key West, Florida, where he found his voice, his website says.

He put “Margaritaville” on the map in 1977. It was his only Top 10 song and became his signature.

Buffett built an enormous cult of fans, affectionately known as “Parrotheads,” after the legendary Deadhead fans of the Grateful Dead.

Buffett later used the “Margaritaville” name to power his decades of lucrative concert tours, the branding of restaurants, casinos, retirement communities, best-selling books and even a musical.

His worth was estimated at $1 billion, according to Forbes.

Before his death, Buffett was preparing to release a new record, with songs previewed weekly on Radio Margaritaville, according to his website.

Buffett leaves behind his wife, Jane Slagsvol, and three children.