“A poet of paradise, Jimmy Buffett was an American music icon who inspired generations to step back and find the joy in life and in one another,” President Joe Biden tweeted Saturday. “We had the honor to meet and get to know Jimmy over the years, and he was in life as he was performing on stage – full of goodwill and joy, using his gift to bring people together.”
Over 3 to 5-year period, Jimmy Buffett went from nobody playing on the shores of the Mississippi to a man with a hit album, a hit song and millions of fans. Jimmy never looked back from there. He had a good voice but not was great voice. He played the guitar but wasn’t known for crazy-good licks. Yet, he had a knack for lyrics.
From Margaritaville:
I blew out my flip-flop, stepped on a pop top
Cut my heel, had to cruise on back home
But there’s booze in the blender and soon it will render
That frozen concoction that helps me hang on
From Coast of Marseilles:
Would you be remembering me?
I ask that question time and again
The answer came and haunted me so
I would not want to think it again
No, I would not want to think it again
Come on. That’s sweet.
Jimmy captured the best of “island” life – A cold beer, nice music to sway to, good friends, and that warm breeze. He had heartfelt ballads like Coast of Marseilles. He had fun sing a-longs like Cheeseburger in Paradise. He was simply fun to listen to. He was fun to sing with. Yes, he was a great businessman, having a net worth of over $1 billion, according to Forbes.
#RIP Jimmy Buffett