Jimmy Buffett, the legendary singer known for tropical rock music and promotion of the ‘island escapism’ lifestyle, has passed away at age 76. His cause of death has been placed on Merkel cell skin cancer, which Buffett had been battling in secret for 4 years. His musical career spanned five decades, over 30 albums, and over 40 tours, which he still performed in up until his death.

Much of Buffett’s success is attributed to his unique style of music, which the singer himself dubbed “drunken Caribbean rock ‘n’ roll”. A blend of folk, country, and Caribbean tunes, Buffett’s music ranged from the upbeat “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere”, “Volcano”, and “Fins”, to the peaceful ballads of “Come Monday”, “A Pirate Looks at Forty”, “Son of a Son of a Sailor”, “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes”, and my personal favorite, “One Particular Harbour”.

Buffett’s career was defined by his love for the laid-back lifestyle in tropical climates, never more evident than with the defining song of his career on his first breakthrough album, 1977’s “Margaritaville”. The relatively simple song, written mostly in one night about a drink Buffett discovered at Lung’s Cocina del Sur restaurant in Austin, Texas, would come to represent more than just a drink, but an entire lifestyle.

The song would lend its name to Jimmy’s highly successful franchise of restaurants, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, as well as a number of merchandise stores, hotels, casinos, retirement communities, a radio station, a stage musical, and a cruise liner that launched in April of 2022.

As well, Buffett was also a prominent author, being one of a handful of writers who had number one best-sellers on both the fiction and non-fiction lists of the New York Times Book Review. Buffett was also an avid pilot, and dedicated much of his time to hurricane relief in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

His music and lifestyle would come to create a large and highly devoted fan base, commonly calling themselves ‘Parrotheads’, who often follow him to every concert and decorate their houses with his merchandise. This love even found its way into the science world, where a newly discovered species of isopod was named after him by a team of researchers from the University of Miami.

Buffett is survived by his wife Jane, daughters Savannah and Sarah, and son Cameron. Personally, from both me and his many fans who also grew up with his music and loved it, I would like to thank Jimmy for all of his years of filling lives with joy and music. His songs carry memories for thousands that will last long after his death.

“Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,” a statement released on his social page reads. “He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”