In the summer of 1967, just after graduation from Midland High School in Midland, Texas…..that’s when I took a trip with some of my good buds before we went our separate ways to college in the fall…..as our graduation celebration trip was to Port Aransas on the Gulf Coast of Texas…..for a week of fun in the sun at the beach…..since the only water any of us saw in West Texas on a regular basis was in our bathtubs on Saturday night…..and Port Aransas was just known for its beautiful beaches…..but also for its beautiful girls that graced her beaches…..and its Texas-wide understanding that Port A was also known for its nightlife every July and August….featuring great live music in several venues almost every night in July and August. While on the prowl in Port A in late July, my buddies and I went into Rose’s Place…..and ended up partying with a guy named Bubba and his friend, Mike…..as Bubba pulled out a guitar and began to strum….when Mike went over to the stand-up piano….they began to play…..and before long, Rose’s Place was packed….. with mostly girls and my buds and I….and Bubba and Mike played until sometime after 3 a.m…..cuz the truth be known….you had to be a eunuck not to get layed that night…..for my lasting memory is that everybody at Rose’s had fun with Bubba and Mike…..and to this day, I am absolutely convinced that Bubba and Mike were Jimmy Buffett and Mike Utley…..cuz I have been a Parrothead ever since. It is such a great honor to post this ImaSportsPhile tribute to the ONE n ONLY Jimmy Buffett. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed posting it…..cuz Jimmy Buffett has been a significant part of my musical life for nearly 60 years.
Music – Mini Documentary – 2023 – A Grunge Production Special – “Jimmy Buffett: The Side Of Jimmy Buffett You Never Knew Existed”
James William Buffett (December 25, 1946 – September 1, 2023) was an American singer/songwriter, musician, author and businessman…..who was best known for his tropical rock music…..which often portrays a lifestyle described as “island escapism”. Buffett recorded hit songs known as “The Big 8”: “Margaritaville” in 1977…..which is ranked # 234 on the Recording Industry Association of America’s list of “Songs of the Century”…..”Come Monday” and “A Pirate Looks at Forty” in 1974…..“Fins” and “Volcano” in 1979…..“Cheeseburger in Paradise” in 1978…..“Why Don’t We Get Drunk And Screw” in 1973…..and “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” in 1977. His other popular songs include “Son of a Son of a Sailor” in 1978….. “One Particular Harbour” in 1983…..and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” in 2003. He formed the Coral Reefer Band in 1975.
Music & News – Special Documentary – 2020 – A CBS 60 Minutes Production Special – “Jimmy Buffett: Entire Interview With Steve Kroft”
Of the over 30 albums released by Buffett, eight are certified gold and nine are certified platinum or multiplatinum. In total, Buffett sold over 20 million albums.
Music & Documentary – 2022 – A JLHockey27 Production Special – “Jimmy Buffett: Tales from MargaritaVision”
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. Buffett was one of the world’s richest musicians, with a net worth of $1 billion. He was also a bestselling author. His devoted fanbase, composed mostly of baby boomers, are known as “Parrotheads”.
Music – Full Movie Music Documentary – 2023 – A Gravitas MUSIC | Free Movies Production Special – “Parrot Heads Full Movie: Starring Jimmy Buffett + Mac McAnally + Scott Nickerson + Thom Shepard + Mike Utley”
Buffett was born on December 25, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi…..and spent part of his childhood in Mobile and Fairhope, Alabama. He was the son of Mary Lorraine (died 2003) and James Delaney Buffett, Jr. (died 2003) …..who worked for the United States Army Corps of Engineers. He has two younger siblings, Lucy (born 1953) and Laurie (born 1948). As a child, he was exposed to sailing…..as his grandfather, James Delaney Buffett, was a steamship captain from Newfoundland…..and his father was a marine engineer and sailor…..while these experiences later influenced his music. Buffett attended St. Ignatius School…..where he played the trombone in the school band. He graduated from McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in 1964. Buffett enrolled at Auburn University and was taught how to play guitar by a fraternity brother to “get attention from girls”. Buffett failed out of Auburn after a year, in April 1966…..as a result of being unable to balance his newfound interests in music and girls with his college classes…..then he continued college at Pearl River Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi…..where he received a bachelor’s degree in history in 1969. In college, he worked in a shipyard as an electrician and welder. He avoided serving in the Vietnam War due to a college deferment and a failed physical exam.
Music – Mini Biography – 2021 – A Lifestyle & Net Worth Production Special – “Jimmy Buffett: His Youth, Career and Lifestyle in 2021”
After graduating in 1969, Buffett moved to New Orleans and often held street performances for tourists on Decatur Street and played for drunken crowds in the former Bayou Room nightclub on Bourbon Street. In 1970, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to further his country music career while working as a journalist for Billboard…..where he was the 1st writer to report that the bluegrass duo Flatt and Scruggs had disbanded. He released his 1st album, the country-tinged folk rock record Down to Earth, in August 1970…..which sold 324 copies. In the fall of 1971, after an impromptu audition, Buffett was hired by the Exit/In, a Nashville club…..as the opening act for recording artist Dianne Davidson…..but unhappy with the business climate in Nashville…..along with his 1st marriage heading for divorce…..that is when Buffett took an offer by fellow country singer Jerry Jeff Walker….. whom he had met in Nashville…..for lodging in his house in Coconut Grove …..then in November 1971, they went to Key West on a busking expedition …..and Buffett liked it so much that he moved there in the spring of 1972. There, he got involved in the literary scene, meeting writers Thomas McGuane, who married Buffett’s sister, Jim Harrison, Tom Corcoran, and Truman Capote…..while sex and drugs were plentiful…..when he was hired by David Wolkowsky, playing for drinks at the Chart Room Bar in the Pier House Motel…..where he met his 2nd wife. From a connection he made there, he was hired as the 1st mate on the yacht of industrialist Foster Talge, heir to The Rival Company, which became his day job.
Music – 1970 – From the Album Down To Earth – Jimmy Buffett – “The Captain And The Kid”
Music – 1970 – From the Album Down To Earth – Jimmy Buffett – “The Christian?”
In 1973, Buffett signed a recording contract with ABC/Dunhill Records, then run by Don Gant…..when after the untimely death of Jim Croce in a plane crash in September 1973…..that is when Dunhill promoted Buffett as a replacement. Buffett’s 2nd album and his 1st release on ABC/Dunhill Records was A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean…..which was recorded at Tompall Glaser’s studio on Music Row…..and released in June 1973. The album featured the hit singles “Grapefruit—Juicy Fruit” and “Why Don’t We Get Drunk And Screw” as well as “I Have Found Me a Home”…..which was written about his experiences in Key West…..then he used the money he made from the album to buy his 1st boat.
Music – 1973 – From the Album A White Sports Coat And A Pink Crustacean – Jimmy Buffett – “Grapefruit – Juicy Fruit”
Music – 1973 – From the Album A White Sports Coat And A Pink Crustacean – Jimmy Buffett – “He Went To Paris”
Music – 1973 – From the Album A White Sports Coat And A Pink Crustacean – Jimmy Buffett – “Why Don’t We Get Drunk And Screw”
Music – 1973 – From the Album A White Sports Coat And A Pink Crustacean – Jimmy Buffett – “I Have Found Me A Home”
Living & Dying in 3/4 Time, recorded in October 1973 and released in February 1974, deviated from the island-theme of his other albums. It included “Come Monday”…..which was written for his then-girlfriend and future wife…..as it was his 1st single to place on the Billboard Hot 100. A1A, released in December 1974…..and it also included “A Pirate Looks at Forty” …..as this song was written about a drug smuggler.
Music – 1974 – From the Album Dying in 3/4 Time – Jimmy Buffett – “A Pirate Looks at Forty”
Music – 1974 – From the Album Dying in 3/4 Time – Jimmy Buffett – “Come Monday”
In 1975, Buffett formed the Coral Reefer Band. Buffett credits his future wife for cleaning up their look, replacing their ripped Levi jeans and collarless shirts. The band was the opening act for the Eagles in August 1975.
Music – Mini Documentary – 2023 – An All The Stories I Can Tell Production Special – “Jimmy Buffett: Form The Coral Reefer Band”
Havana Daydreamin’, produced by Don Gant, was released in January 1976. In January 1977, he released Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, which, in addition to the title track, featured his breakthrough hit song “Margaritaville”…..which Buffett claims that he wrote most of the song in six minutes. Ironically, while it attempts to negatively portray tourists in Key West, it led to an increase in tourism to the city. As a sidebar in 1977, he sublet his apartment in Key West to Hunter S. Thompson.
Music – 1976 – From the Album Havana Daydreamin’ – Jimmy Buffett – “Havana Daydreamin'”
Music – 1976 – From the Album Havana Daydreamin’ – Jimmy Buffett – “My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink And I Don’t Love Jesus”
Music – 1976 – From the Album Havana Daydreamin’ – Jimmy Buffett – “Woman Goin’ Crazy On Caroline Street”
Music – 1977 – From the Album Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes – Jimmy Buffett Live in Concert – “Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes”
Music – 1977 – From the Album Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes – Jimmy Buffett – “Banana Republic”
Music – 1977 – From the Album Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes – Jimmy Buffett – “Wonder Why We Ever Go Home”
Music – 1977 – From the Album Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes – Jimmy Buffett – “Margaritaville”
Music – 1977 – From the Album Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes – Jimmy Buffett – “In The Shelter”
Buffett 1st traveled to Saint Barthélemy in 1978…..and moved there shortly thereafter…..where he got the inspiration for songs and characters in his books…..when in March 1978, he released Son of a Son of a Sailor. In addition to the title track, it featured “Cheeseburger in Paradise”…..which reached # 32 on the Hot 100.
Music – 1978 – From the Album Son Of A Son Of A Sailor – Jimmy Buffett – “Son Of A Son Of A Sailor”
Music – 1978 – From the Album Son Of A Son Of A Sailor – Jimmy Buffett – “Official Video Cheeseburger In Paradise”
Music – 1978 – From the Album Son Of A Son Of A Sailor – Jimmy Buffett – “Livingston Saturday Night”
Music – 1978 – From the Album Son Of A Son Of A Sailor – Jimmy Buffett – “Mañana”
Music – 1978 – From the Album Son Of A Son Of A Sailor – Jimmy Buffett – “Cowboy In The Jungle”
In August 1979, he released Volcano, which included “Fins” and the title track…..then in 1981, he appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson…..where he sang “Margaritaville” and “Stars Fell On Alabama”….. when in 1983, he appeared on The David Letterman Show…..when he performed “Distantly In Love” and “Come Monday”.
Music – 1979 – From the Album Volcano – Jimmy Buffett – “Fins”
Music – 1979 – From the Album Volcano – Jimmy Buffett – “Volcano”
Music – 1979 – From the Album Volcano – Jimmy Buffett – “Boat Drinks”
Music & Talk Shows – 1981 – Live on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson – Jimmy Buffett Performs “Margaritaville” and Stars Fell On Alabama”
Music & Talk Shows – 1983 – Live On Late Night With David Letterman – Jimmy Buffett Performs “Distantly In Love” and “Come Monday”
In October 1985, he released the compilation album Songs You Know By Heart, which included all of the “Big Eight” songs…..which was his best selling album…..while selling over 7 million copies by 2005. In 1994, Buffett did a duet with Frank Sinatra on a cover of “Mack the Knife” on Sinatra’s final studio album, Duets II. In 1996, Buffett penned the song “Jamaica Mistaica” for his Banana Wind album based on a January 1996 incident in which Buffett’s Grumman HU-16 airplane named Hemisphere Dancer was shot at by Jamaican police, who believed the craft to be smuggling marijuana…..as the aircraft sustained minimal damage. The plane was carrying Buffett, as well as Bono of U2, his wife, and two children…..and Island Records producer Chris Blackwell, and co-pilot Bill Dindy…..when the Jamaican government acknowledged the mistake and apologized to Buffett.
Music – 1985 – From the Album Songs You Know By Heart – Jimmy Buffett – “A Pirate Looks At Forty”
Music – 1994 – From the Album Duets II – Frank Sinatra & Jimmy Buffett Duet – “Mack The Knife”
Music – Live In Concert From Woodstock – 2014 – From the 1996 Album Banana Wind – Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefers – “Jamaica Mistaica”
Music – 1996 – From the 1996 Album Banana Wind – Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefers – “School Boy Heart”
Music – Live in Concert from Jamaica – 1990 – Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band – “Jamaica Farewell / Feeding Frenzy”
In April 1998, Buffett released an album of songs from a musical theatre production he co-created based on Herman Wouk’s novel, Don’t Stop the Carnival; it was certified gold.
Music – 1998 – From the Album Don’t Stop The Carnival – Jimmy Buffett – “Time To Go Home”
Music – 1998 – From the Album Don’t Stop The Carnival – Jimmy Buffett – “Island Fever”
Music – 1998 – From the Album Don’t Stop The Carnival – Jimmy Buffett – “A Thousand Steps To Nowhere”
Buffett’s song “Math Suks”, released in May 1999, was condemned by the U.S. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Education Association for its alleged negative effect on children’s education. Comedian Jon Stewart also criticized the song on The Daily Show during a segment called “Math Is Quite Pleasant“. By 1999, Buffett had shifted to a more relaxed concert schedule of around 20–30 dates per year…..with infrequent back-to-back nights…..while preferring to play only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. This schedule provided the title of his 1999 live album.
Music – 1999 – Jimmy Buffett – “Math Suks”
Music – Official Music Video – 2009 – From the Album Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – Jimmy Buffet – “Fruitcakes”
Music – Official Music Video – 2009 – From the Album Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – Jimmy Buffet – “Fins”
Music – Photo Gallery of Key West, FL – 2009 – From the Album Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – Jimmy Buffet – “Tin Cup Chalice”
Music – Official Music Video – 2009 – From the Album Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – Jimmy Buffet – “Southern Cross”
In 2003, he partnered in a partial duet with Alan Jackson for the song “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere”…..which spent a then record 8 weeks atop the Hot Country Songs charts…..plus, this song won the 2003 Country Music Association Award for Vocal Event of the Year…..which was Buffett’s 1st award in his 30-year recording career.
Music & Awards – Country Music Association Entire Awards Show – 2003 – Special Awards Show Opening Featuring This Years CMA Award for Vocal Event of the Year with Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett Duet – “It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere” – Buffett’s 1st Award in His 30 Year Career
Buffett’s album License to Chill, released on July 13, 2004, sold 238,500 copies in its 1st week of release according to Nielsen Soundscan…..while the album topped the U.S. pop albums chart for the 1st time in his career.
Music – 2004 – From the Album License To Chill – Jimmy Buffett & Nanci Griffith Duet – “Someone I Used To Love”
Music – 2004 – From the Album License To Chill – Jimmy Buffett & Martina McBride Duet – “Trip Around the Sun”
Music – 2004 – From the Album License To Chill – Jimmy Buffett – “License To Chill”
Music – 2004 – From the Album License To Chill – Jimmy Buffett – “Simply Complicated”
Music – 2004 – From the Album License To Chill – Jimmy Buffett – “Back to the Island”
In May 2005, Buffett signed an agreement with Sirius Satellite Radio to broadcast Radio Margaritaville…..which, from its founding in 1998, was broadcast only online. The channel broadcasts from the Margaritaville Resort Orlando in Kissimmee, Florida.
Music – 1983 – From the Album One Particular Harbour – Jimmy Buffet – “One Particular Harbour”
Music – 1983 – From the Album One Particular Harbour – Jimmy Buffet – “Stars On The Water”
Music – 1983 – From the Album One Particular Harbour – Jimmy Buffet – “We Are The People Our Parents Warned Us About”
Music – 1974 – From the Album Jimmy Buffett A1A– Jimmy Buffet – “Dallas”
Music – 1974 – From the Album Jimmy Buffett A1A– Jimmy Buffet – “Nautical Wheelers”
Music – 1974 – From the Album Jimmy Buffett A1A – Jimmy Buffet – “Makin’ Music for Money”
Music –
In August 2006, he released the album Take the Weather with You…..when the song “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On” on this album is in honor of the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Buffett’s rendition of “Silver Wings” on the same album was made as a tribute to Merle Haggard. On August 30, 2007, he received a star on the Mohegan Sun Walk of Fame.
Music – 2006 – From the Album Take the Weather with You – Jimmy Buffett – “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On” – Dedicated To The Hurricane Katrina Victims
Music – 2006 – From the Album Take the Weather with You – Jimmy Buffett – “Bama Brereeze”
Music – 2006 – From the Album Take the Weather with You – Jimmy Buffett – “Bama Brereeze” – Dedicated To Merle Haggard
In 2007, Buffett was nominated at the Country Music Association Awards for the Event of the Year Award for his song “Hey Good Lookin'” which also features Alan Jackson and George Strait.
Music – 2019 – Live In Studio & On Stage – From the Album License To Chill Jimmy Buffett + Clint Black + Kenny Chesney + Alan Jackson + Toby Keith + George Strait – “Hey Good Lookin'”
In April 2010, a double CD of performances recorded during the 2008 and 2009 tours called Encores was released exclusively at Walmart, Walmart.com, and Margaritaville.com.
Music -Double CD – 2010 – From the Album Encores – Jimmy Buffett – “Paradise”
Music -Double CD – 2010 – From the Album Encores – Jimmy Buffett – “Growing Older But Not Up”
Music -Double CD – 2010 – From the Album Encores – Jimmy Buffett – “Wildflowers”
In 2010, he was named the tenth biggest touring artist of the decade, with 4.5 million ticket sales over the previous 10 years.
Music – 1992 – Live on The Texas Connection – Jerry Jeff Walker+ Jimmy Buffett + Fingers Taylor – Pickin’, Playin’ and Telling Stories
Due to co-writer Wyatt Durrette being a huge fan of Buffett, Buffett partnered on the song “Knee Deep” with the Zac Brown Band and it was released on Brown’s 2010 album You Get What You Give. The single was certified platinum in September 2017.
Music – Official Music Video – 2010 – From the Zac Brown Band Album You Get What You Give – Zac Brown & Jimmy Buffet Duet – “Knee Deep”
Music – CMT Crossroads Special – 2010 – Zac Brown Band & Jimmy Buffett Duet – “A Pirate Looks At Forty”
Music – CMT Crossroads Special – 2010 – Zac Brown Band & Jimmy Buffett Duet – “Chicken Fried”
In November 2011, Buffett voiced Huckleberry Finn on Mark Twain: Words & Music, a benefit for the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum, which was released on Mailboat Records.
Music – Special Video – 2012 – With Jimmy Buffett as the Voice of Huckleberry Finn – In Mark Twain’s Words and Music
In August 2013, Buffett released Songs from St. Somewhere; many of the songs were recorded at Eden Rock, St Barths.
Music – 2013 – From the Album Songs from St. Somewhere – Jimmy Buffett – “I Wave Bye Bye”
Music – Official Music Video – Live in Studio and Concert – 2013 – From the Album Songs from St. Somewhere – Jimmy Buffett & Fanny Lu Duet – “I Want To Go Back To Cartagena”
Music – 2013 – From the Album Songs from St. Somewhere – Jimmy Buffett – “Oldest Surfer On the Beach”
Music – 2013 – From the Album Songs from St. Somewhere – Jimmy Buffett – “Something ‘Bout a Boat”
Music – 2013 – From the Album Songs from St. Somewhere – Jimmy Buffett – “Einstein Was a Surfer”
He was due to release his 30th studio album, Equal Strain on All Parts, in late 2023. Buffett got the idea for the album title from his grandfather’s description of a nap.
Music – Official Lyric Video – 2023 – From the Album Equal Strain on All Parts – Jimmy Buffett – “Bubbles Up”
Music – 2023 – From the Album Equal Strain on All Parts – Jimmy Buffett – “My Gummie Just Kicked In”
Music – 2023 – From the Album Equal Strain on All Parts – Jimmy Buffett – “Like My Dog”
Buffett performed his final full concert at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on May 6, 2023…..then he made 2 further concert appearances…..as an unannounced guest at concerts by Coral Reefer Band members…..with 1 in Amagansett, New York, on June 11…..and the other in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, on July 2…..which was his final live performance before his death.
Music – Entire Live in Concert at Snapdargon Stadium in San Diego – 2023 – Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band – In Buffett’s Last Scheduled Concert
Music – Live in Concert at Sunset Cove in Portsmouth RI (Surprise Appearance) – July 2, 2023 – Jimmy Buffett + Band Mates Mac McAnally + Eric Darken – As Jimmy Buffett Sings Margaritaville One Last Time
Music – Tribute – 2023 – Mac McAnally + Eric Darken (Longtime Members Of The Coral Reefer Band – Musical Tribute To Jimmy Buffett
End of Jimmy Buffett – Part 1
Jimmy Buffett Part 2 Continues on Next Post
