Jimmy Buffett

American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

Jimmy Buffett was an American singer-songwriter known for his tropical rock sound and “island escapism” lifestyle. He had many hit songs, including “Margaritaville,” and was one of the world’s wealthiest musicians, with a net worth of $1 billion. Buffett also ventured into various businesses, from restaurants to casinos, and had a devoted fanbase known as “Parrotheads.”

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About the Jimmy Buffett

James William Buffettwas an American singer-songwriter. He was known for his tropical rock sound and persona, which often portrayed a lifestyle described as “island escapism” and promoted enjoying life and following passions. Buffett recorded many hit songs, including those known as “The Big 8”: “Margaritaville” (1977), which is ranked 234th on the Recording Industry Association of America’s list of “Songs of the Century”; “Come Monday” (1974); “Fins” (1979); “Volcano” (1979); “A Pirate Looks at Forty” (1974); “Cheeseburger in Paradise” (1978); “Why Don’t We Get Drunk” (1973); and “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” (1977). His other popular songs include “Son of a Son of a Sailor” (1978), “One Particular Harbour” (1983), and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” with Alan Jackson (2003). Buffett formed the Coral Reefer Band in 1975.

Of the over 30 albums released by Buffett, eight are certified gold and nine are certified platinum or multi-platinum by the RIAA. In total, Buffett sold over 20 million certified records worldwide, placing him amongst the world’s best-selling music artists. In addition to two Grammy Award nominations, Buffett will be posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Musical Excellence category in 2024.

Buffett also parlayed the “island escapism” lifestyle of his music into several business ventures, including Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurant chain, the now-defunct Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant chain, and ventures in hotels, casinos, liquor, and retirement communities. With a net worth of $1 billion, Buffett was one of the world’s richest musicians. He was also a bestselling author. His devoted fans are known as “Parrotheads”.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jimmy Buffett (December 25, 1946 – September 1, 2023) was an American singer-songwriter known for his tropical rock sound and ‘island escapism’ lifestyle and music.

Jimmy Buffett recorded many hit songs, including ‘Margaritaville’ (1977), ‘Come Monday’ (1974), ‘Fins’ (1979), ‘Volcano’ (1979), ‘A Pirate Looks at Forty’ (1974), ‘Cheeseburger in Paradise’ (1978), ‘Why Don’t We Get Drunk’ (1973), and ‘Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes’ (1977).

Of the over 30 albums released by Jimmy Buffett, eight are certified gold and nine are certified platinum or multi-platinum by the RIAA. In total, Buffett sold over 20 million certified records worldwide, placing him amongst the world’s best-selling music artists.

Buffett parlayed the ‘island escapism’ lifestyle of his music into several business ventures, including Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurant chain, the now-defunct Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant chain, and ventures in hotels, casinos, liquor, and retirement communities.

With a net worth of $1 billion, Jimmy Buffett was one of the world’s richest musicians.

Jimmy Buffett’s devoted fans are known as ‘Parrotheads’.

Jimmy Buffett will be posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Musical Excellence category in 2024.

39 Quotes by Jimmy Buffett

  1. 1.

    I sell escapism.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  2. 2.

    If life gives you limes, make margaritas.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  3. 3.

    I hate to mention age, but I come from an era when we weren’t consumed by technology and television.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  4. 4.

    These old ballparks are like cathedrals in America. We don’t have big old Gothic cathedrals like they do in Europe. But we got baseball parks.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  5. 5.

    Is it ignorance or apathy? Hey, I don’t know and I don’t care.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  6. 6.

    If we weren’t all crazy, we’d just go insane.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  7. 7.

    Older and wiser voices can help you find the right path, if you are only willing to listen.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  8. 8.

    My mother insisted that her children read.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  9. 9.

    At 57, to have a No. 1 album, I wasn’t expecting it.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  10. 10.

    Moderation is the key so I work certain amount of time and then I take a certain amount of time off.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  11. 11.

    And I wound up in New Orleans for all those years and it was a great place, really a catalyst creatively.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  12. 12.

    Elvis was the only man from Northeast Mississippi who could shake his hips and still be loved by rednecks, cops, and hippies.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  13. 13.

    Wrinkles will only go where the smiles have been.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  14. 14.

    Well, I’m still here. Didn’t have to go to rehab, and I’m not broke.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  15. 15.

    I’m inspired by people who keep on rolling, no matter their age.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  16. 16.

    I still consider it a summer job, though. So, I try to maintain that summer job as long as I can. But it’s exciting to be able to have the opportunity to do things I always dreamed of as a kid.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  17. 17.

    Instinct taught me 20 years ago to pace a song or a concert performance. That translates into pacing a story, pleasing a reading audience.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  18. 18.

    I’m a big follower and reactor to weather.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  19. 19.

    Phish and Dave Matthews really know their audiences and really treat them well.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  20. 20.

    I can only say the first thing that pops into my mind is I remember, years ago, seeing kind of a has-been country singer working – when I first moved to Nashville – in a bar in a Holiday Inn.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  21. 21.

    You know, as a writer, I’m more of a listener than a writer, cuz if I hear something I will write it down.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  22. 22.

    Searching is half the fun: life is much more manageable when thought of as a scavenger hunt as opposed to a surprise party.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  23. 23.

    And you find as a writer there are certain spots on the planet where you write better than others, and I believe in that. And New Orleans is one of them.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  24. 24.

    People who think too much before they act don’t act too much.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  25. 25.

    I always said that I wouldn’t use a teleprompter, and if I start to sing real flat, I’ll hang it up.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  26. 26.

    Indecision may or may not be my problem.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  27. 27.

    I just want to live happily ever after, every now and then.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  28. 28.

    It’s been wonderful for me, and I feel so privileged to have fans that are that loyal.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  29. 29.

    Places I’ve lived since then had to have some kind of uniqueness and character about them. And logically Key West, and then Down Island. So, all of that stuff sort of had it’s roots in New Orleans and went crazy.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  30. 30.

    And I try to give the best bang for the buck. I love performing more than anything else.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  31. 31.

    Why dont we get drunk and screw?

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  32. 32.

    We are the people our parents warned us about.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  33. 33.

    The stores and the things like that, the business side of things came out at the point when, I’d say probably in the early ’70s, it looked like the year of the singer-songwriter was over, ’cause music changed in our time and the spotlight was out.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  34. 34.

    To describe my scarce leisure time in today’s terms, I always default to reading.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  35. 35.

    If I couldn’t laugh I just would go insane, If we couldn’t laugh we just would go insane, If we weren’t all crazy we would go insane.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  36. 36.

    If it doesn’t work out there will never be any doubt that the pleasure was worth all the pain.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  37. 37.

    Humor has bailed me out of more tight situations than I can think of. If you go with your instincts and keep your humor, creativity follows. With luck, success comes, too.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  38. 38.

    There’s something missing in the music industry today… and it’s music. Songs you hear don’t last, it’s just product fed to you by the industry.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)

  39. 39.

    Quitting doesn’t enter my mind.

    Jimmy Buffett

    American singer-songwriter (1946-2023)