Jimmy Buffett has died.

 

Photo: Taste of Country

Jimmy Buffett, the musician and singer who made flip flops, tropical shirts, and beach bum attitude cool, had died. He was 76. Cause of death was skin cancer diagnosed 4 years ago.

Jimmy was born in Mississippi and raised in the port city of Mobile, Alabama. Growing up, he was close to his grandfather who would take him sailing. This would later would impact his musical style. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Southern Mississippi and graduated with a degree in history.  Jimmy moved to Nashville where he pursued country music. After a chance meeting with country musician Jerry Jeff Walker, the two went to Key West, Florida. This is when Jimmy began to establish his beach-bum persona. He played in local bars and began experimenting musically by combining country music, folk, rock, calypso, and pop music into his own style. 

His big break came when his friend and fellow musician Jim Croce died tragically and his record label tapped Jimmy to take over his spot. Starting in 1974, Jimmy went on to release numerous albums including Living and Dying in 3/4 Time, A1A, and Havana Dreaming. His biggest hit came in 1977 when his song "Margaritaville" became a HUGE success. Other hits include Cheeseburger in Paradise, Come Monday, Fins, Volcano, Changes in Latitude-Changes in Attitude, and Why Don't We Get Drunk.

Over the years Jimmy continued to release music. However, he was also a savvy businessman who built a huge empire based on his persona and his hit song "Margaritaville". He marketed the name to retirement communities, casinos, books, video games, canabis, restaurants, apparel, footwear, and beer (Anheuser Busch, under his Margaritaville Brewing label, produce his LandShark beer).  According to Forbes, Jimmy amassed a $1 billion fortune from these lucrative marketing opportunities.  

Jimmy is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jane, and 3 kids. We would like to raise a margarita glass (or a LandShark beer) and toast the man who created a unique style of music and gave us memorable songs that take us back to simpler, carefree times.  Rest in peace and thank you for bringing people together in dive bars for sing-a-longs.