Jimmy Buffett has died at age 76. A statement posted to his social media reads, “Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs. He lived his life a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by many.”
No caused of death was given, but Jimmy recently had to cancel tour dates for health reasons. “Growing old is not for sissies, I promise you,” he wrote at the time.
Jimmy released his first album, a folk/country rock album called Down to Earth, in 1970. He later began combining country, folk, and rock with calypso, pop music, and tropical lyrical into what became known as “gulf and western” music. In 1977, he released the album Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes which birthed his breakthrough hit, “Margaritaville.” Other hit singles followed like “Cheeseburger In Paradise,” “Fins,” “Volcano,” and his 2003 collaboration with Alan Jackson, “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.”
Rest in peace, Jimmy.