Jimmy Buffett Dead at 76

Jimmy Buffett, best known for his song Margaritaville, which he parlayed into a highly successful business enterprise has died. He was 76 years old. News of Buffett’s passing was announced on Buffett’s social media channels. At press time, no cause of death was given.

“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.”

Buffett was known for his “island lifestyle” persona and his music incorporated elements of folk, Caribbean, country, and rock. Released in 1977, Margaritaville, with lyrics reflecting a laid-back lifestyle in the tropics, the song came to define Buffett’s music and career. The song also became branding for a number of commercial ventures and licensing, most notably Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurant chain. These ventures helped Buffett gain a net-worth of nearly one billion dollars.

In 2015, the Margaritaville name was licensed by General Cigar on a release for the CAO brand called CAO Margaritaville . In 2018, Lotus Group licensed the name for a line of cigar accessories.

During a performance in Nashville, Tennessee on April 11, 2023, Buffett said he had recorded an album entitled Equal Strain on All Parts. The album has yet to be released.

Known as an artist who took to the road, Buffett had some undisclosed health issues beginning in 2022. This led to a hospitalization and the cancellation of several shows. This past Spring, he cancelled more shows and announced he was back in the hospital needing immediate attention.

Photo Credit: Jimmy Buffett Social Media