James William Buffett: Legendary Musician, Author, and Businessman

James William Buffett, born on December 25, 1946, and sadly passing away on September 1, 2023, was a multifaceted American talent. He left an indelible mark on the world as a singer-songwriter, musician, author, and astute businessman. Buffett’s claim to fame rested in his distinctive tropical rock music, a genre synonymous with an idyllic “island escapism” lifestyle.

Throughout his illustrious career, Buffett recorded an impressive array of chart-topping hits, collectively known as “The Big 8.” These iconic tunes included classics like “Margaritaville” (1977), which holds a prominent place at 234th on the Recording Industry Association of America’s esteemed list of “Songs of the Century.” Other beloved tracks in this celebrated collection encompassed “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 musical prowess extended beyond these gems, featuring other notable hits such as “Son of a Son of a Sailor” (1978), “One Particular Harbour” (1983), and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” (2003). Buffett’s sonic journey also saw him establish the Coral Reefer Band in 1975.

Beyond the realm of music, Buffett seamlessly translated the essence of his “island escapism” ethos into a string of successful business ventures. He was the creative force behind the renowned Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurant chain, as well as the erstwhile Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant chain. His entrepreneurial spirit ventured into hotels, casinos, liquor, and retirement communities, solidifying his status as one of the world’s wealthiest musicians, boasting a staggering net worth of $1 billion. Notably, Buffett’s talents weren’t confined solely to the world of melody; he also earned acclaim as a bestselling author.

Embracing him with unwavering enthusiasm, Buffett’s dedicated fanbase, primarily comprising baby boomers, earned the affectionate moniker of “Parrotheads.” Tragically, on September 1, 2023, at the age of 76, Buffett bid farewell to the world from his home in Sag Harbor, New York. His departure was a result of complications stemming from Merkel-cell carcinoma, an uncommon and aggressive form of skin cancer, which had been diagnosed four years earlier. In his remarkable life, James William Buffett left behind a timeless legacy that continues to inspire and entertain generations.

Born	James William Buffett December 25, 1946 Pascagoula, Mississippi, U.S.
Died	September 1, 2023 (aged 76) Sag Harbor, New York, U.S.
Education	University of Southern Mississippi (BA)
Occupations	Singer-songwriter musician author businessman
Years active	1964–2023
Spouses	Margie Washichek (m. 1969; div. 1972) Jane Slagsvol (m. 1977)
Children	3, including Savannah Buffett
Musical career	Origin: Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. Genres: Tropical rock, country, country rock, folk rock, calypso, easy listening, pop Instrument(s): Vocals, guitar, ukulele Labels: Barnaby, ABC, Dunhill, MCA, Margaritaville, Island Def Jam, PolyGram, Mailboat, Atlantic, RCA Website: jimmybuffett.com

James William Buffett: Legendary Musician, Author, and Businessman

Early Life of James William Buffett:

James William Buffett was born on December 25, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi. His childhood was divided between Mobile and Fairhope, Alabama, where he was raised by his parents, Mary Lorraine (née Peets) and James Delaney Buffett, Jr. His father served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers. James had two younger siblings, Lucy (born 1953) and Laurie (born 1948).

During his formative years, Buffett was introduced to the world of sailing, with his grandfather, James Delaney Buffett, being a steamship captain from Newfoundland, and his father being a marine engineer and sailor. These early maritime experiences left an indelible mark on his future musical endeavors.

Buffett’s educational journey saw him attend St. Ignatius School, where he honed his musical skills by playing the trombone in the school band. He graduated from McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in 1964.

Upon enrolling at Auburn University, Buffett’s musical aspirations were further fueled when a fraternity brother taught him to play the guitar as a means to attract attention from the opposite sex. However, his academic pursuits suffered, and he ultimately left Auburn in April 1966, unable to balance his newfound passion for music and social life with his college coursework.

Seeking a different path, Buffett continued his education at Pearl River Community College and later the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. In 1969, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history. During his college years, he also worked as an electrician and welder in a shipyard.

Buffett’s time in college allowed him to avoid serving in the Vietnam War, thanks to a combination of a college deferment and a failed physical exam.

This early life narrative provides insight into the background and experiences that would go on to shape James Buffett’s future as a renowned musician, author, and businessman.

Music:

After graduating in 1969, Buffett embarked on a musical journey that would define his career. He initially moved to New Orleans, where he entertained tourists on Decatur Street with street performances and played for enthusiastic but often inebriated crowds at the former Bayou Room nightclub on Bourbon Street.

In 1970, he made the pivotal decision to relocate to Nashville, Tennessee, with aspirations of advancing his country music career. During this time, he also worked as a journalist for Billboard and gained recognition as the first reporter to break the news of the bluegrass duo Flatt and Scruggs disbanding.

Buffett’s debut album, the country-tinged folk rock record titled “Down to Earth,” was released in August 1970, albeit with modest sales. As the fall of 1971 rolled in, Buffett found himself at a crossroads, disenchanted with the Nashville music scene and navigating a crumbling first marriage. In a serendipitous turn of events, fellow country singer Jerry Jeff Walker, whom Buffett had encountered in Nashville, extended an invitation to stay in his Coconut Grove home. In November 1971, Buffett and Walker embarked on a busking adventure to Key West, a journey that would resonate profoundly with Buffett. In the spring of 1972, he decided to make Key West his permanent residence.

Key West became a haven for Buffett, where he crossed paths with notable writers like Thomas McGuane, Jim Harrison, Tom Corcoran, and Truman Capote. This era was characterized by a vibrant atmosphere of free-spirited living, marked by the availability of sex and drugs.

Buffett initially began performing at the Chart Room Bar in the Pier House Motel, a venue where he not only plied his musical trade but also found his second wife. Concurrently, he held a day job as the first mate on industrialist Foster Talge’s yacht, adding an adventurous twist to his daily routine.

In 1973, Buffett signed a recording contract with ABC/Dunhill Records, stepping into the spotlight following the untimely death of Jim Croce. His second album, “A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean,” released in June 1973, featured hits like “Grapefruit—Juicy Fruit” and “Why Don’t We Get Drunk,” along with songs inspired by his Key West experiences.

The following year, in February 1974, he released “Living & Dying in 3/4 Time,” featuring the Billboard Hot 100-charting single “Come Monday.” His musical journey continued with “A1A” in December 1974, introducing the beloved track “A Pirate Looks at Forty,” inspired by a colorful Key West character.

In 1975, Buffett founded the Coral Reefer Band, a pivotal move that would shape the future of his music. This period also marked a transformation in their appearance, thanks to the influence of his future wife.

Subsequent albums, including “Havana Daydreamin'” in January 1976 and “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” in January 1977, catapulted Buffett to greater fame. The latter album featured his breakthrough hit “Margaritaville,” a song he famously penned in just six minutes.

Buffett’s wanderlust led him to Saint Barthélemy in 1978, sparking further inspiration for his music and writing. Over the years, he continued to release albums, including “Volcano” in August 1979 and the immensely popular compilation album “Songs You Know By Heart” in October 1985.

His musical collaborations extended to an iconic duet with Frank Sinatra on “Mack the Knife” in 1994 and a partnership with Alan Jackson on “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” in 2003, a chart-topping success.

Buffett’s remarkable career included a diverse range of albums, live performances, and even forays into musical theater. His influence on the world of music, shaped by his unique blend of island-inspired sounds and storytelling, left an enduring legacy.

 

In 2020, Buffett released “Songs You Don’t Know by Heart,” a fan-curated collection of lesser-known songs, reimagined on his treasured guitars. His creative spirit continued to flourish, with plans for his 30th studio album, “Equal Strain on All Parts,” inspired by a quaint family anecdote from his grandfather.

Buffett’s musical journey reached its culmination with his final full concert at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on May 6, 2023. He made two more memorable appearances as an unannounced guest at concerts by members of the Coral Reefer Band, bidding farewell to the stage in Amagansett, New York, on June 11 and in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, on July 2, 2023, shortly before his passing.

Film and Television:

• He wrote soundtracks for films like “Hoot” and contributed to various movie soundtracks.
• Buffett made cameo appearances in multiple films and TV shows.
• He declined a role in “Pirates of the Caribbean.”
• Animated versions of him appeared on “South Park” and “Sesame Street.”
• Buffett portrayed a character in “Hawaii Five-0” and made a memorable cameo in “Jurassic World.”

Business Ventures:

• Buffett’s Margaritaville brand includes hotels, casinos, restaurants, packaged goods, and more.
• He co-founded “Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville” and was involved in the “Cheeseburger in Paradise” chain.
• Buffett launched Margaritaville Records and Mailboat Records.
• He partnered with Anheuser-Busch for Land Shark Lager.
• Buffett collaborated with Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City for a Margaritaville-themed complex.
• He ventured into sports ownership with minor-league baseball teams.
• Buffett’s brand inspired online video games.
• He announced Latitude Margaritaville retirement communities.
• Buffett licensed the “Coral Reefer” brand for marijuana.
• Buffett was a friend and shareholder in Berkshire Hathaway.

Theatre:

• Buffett worked on the musical “Don’t Stop the Carnival” based on Herman Wouk’s novel.
• “Escape to Margaritaville,” a musical featuring Buffett’s songs, had runs in various cities, including Broadway.

These endeavors highlight Buffett’s diverse interests and entrepreneurial spirit, extending his influence far beyond his music career.
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Charity work:

Environmental Conservation:

• Co-founded the Save the Manatee Club in 1981 with Bob Graham.
• Initiated the “Save the Manatee” license plate to support the club.
• Supported the Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory.
• Advocated for the reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act in 1987.
• Held a free concert after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to raise awareness.

Disaster Relief:

• Performed at hurricane relief concerts and supported efforts for hurricanes.
• Provided aid, including tents, after the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
• Sent planes and organized benefit concerts in response to Hurricane Irma.

Other Charitable Acts:

• Raised funds for underprivileged children through a concert in Hong Kong in 2008.

Buffett’s charitable endeavors reflect his commitment to environmental causes and helping communities in need.

Personal Life of James Buffett:

Marriage and Family:

• Married Margie Washichek in 1969, divorced in 1972.
• Met his second wife, Jane, in Key West in 1975; they married in 1977 and had two daughters, Savannah (born 1979) and Sarah Delaney (born 1992), and adopted a son, Cameron Marley (born 1994).
• They briefly separated in the early 1980s due to their partying lifestyle but reconciled in 1991 after Jane got sober.

Residences:

• Lived in a waterfront estate in Sag Harbor, New York.
• Owned properties in Palm Beach, Florida, and New York City.
• Previously had a home in Saint Barthélemy.

Sports and Hobbies:

• A devoted New Orleans Saints fan who attended their games.
• Owned various aircraft and was an avid pilot.
• Experienced a plane crash in 1994 with minor injuries.
• Ejected from a basketball game in 2001 for cursing.
• Detained by French customs in 2006 for allegedly carrying pills but was released after paying a fine.
• Fell off the stage during a concert in Australia in 2011 but recovered.
• Spoke at the University of Miami’s graduation ceremony in 2015 and received an honorary doctorate in music.
• Adopted a diet without sugar or carbohydrates except on Sundays by 2017 and stopped smoking marijuana.

Political Activities:

• Supported the Democratic Party and hosted fundraisers for Democratic politicians, including Hillary Clinton in 2016.
• Hosted a concert to support Gwen Graham in the Democratic primary of the 2018 Florida gubernatorial election.
• Hosted rallies for Florida Democratic candidates Andrew Gillum and Bill Nelson in 2018.
• A bridge in his hometown of Pascagoula, Mississippi, was named Buffett Bridge in his honor in 2015.
• A crustacean species discovered in 2023, Gnathia jimmybuffetti, was named after him.

Illness and Death of James William Buffett:

• Hospitalized in May 2023 for undisclosed issues, leading to rescheduled tour dates.
• Entered hospice care in late August 2023.
• Passed away on September 1, 2023, at the age of 76, at his home in Sag Harbor, New York, due to complications from Merkel-cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive skin cancer.
• During his final days, Paul McCartney visited and performed for Buffett’s family.