‘Margaritaville’ singer Jimmy Buffett dies at 76

Jimmy Buffett, the singer-songwriter best-known for breezy, tropical-themed hits like “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” has died at 76.

“Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,” read the announcement on his website and social media. “He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”

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— Jimmy Buffett (@jimmybuffett) September 2, 2023

The statement did not say where Buffett died or give a cause of death. Illness had forced him to reschedule concerts in May and Buffett acknowledged in social media posts that he had been hospitalized, but provided no specifics.

“Margaritaville,” released on Feb. 14, 1977, quickly took on a life of its own, becoming a state of mind for those ”wastin’ away,” an excuse for a life of low-key fun and escapism for those “growing older, but not up.”

The song is the unhurried portrait of a loafer on his front porch, watching tourists sunbathe while a pot of shrimp is beginning to boil. The singer has a new tattoo, a likely hangover and regrets over a lost love. Somewhere there is a misplaced salt shaker.

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In addition to “Margaritaville,” which was released in 1977 and was so iconic it spawned a chain of eateries, Buffett’s best-known songs include “‘Come Monday,” “A Pirate Looks at Forty,” “Son of a Son of a Sailor” and “Cheeseburger In Paradise.”

Fans of CBS’ Hawaii Five-0 reboot also know Buffett from his recurring role as Frank Bama, a pilot friend of Joe White’s (Terry O’Quinn) who first appeared in Season 2 and would occasionally help out Steve McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) and the task force.

Buffett also guest-starred in a Season 12 Blue Bloods episode as Dicky Delaney, a con man who would pass himself off as, well, Jimmy Buffett, to finagle free drinks and meals from fawning Parrotheads. (Buffett also played himself at the end of that same episode.)

Jimmy Buffett, the singer best known for detailing his times in “Margaritaville,” died on Sept. 1. He was 76.

Buffett had been hospitalized in Boston in May to address undisclosed “issues that needed immediate attention.” His cause of death was not immediately shared.

“Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st, surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,” reads a message posted to Buffett’s official Instagram account. “He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”

In addition to “Margaritaville,” which was released in 1977 and was so iconic it spawned a chain of eateries, Buffett’s best-known songs include “‘Come Monday,” “A Pirate Looks at Forty,” “Son of a Son of a Sailor” and “Cheeseburger In Paradise.”

Fans of CBS’ Hawaii Five-0 reboot also know Buffett from his recurring role as Frank Bama, a pilot friend of Joe White’s (Terry O’Quinn) who first appeared in Season 2 and would occasionally help out Steve McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) and the task force.

Buffett also guest-starred in a Season 12 Blue Bloods episode as Dicky Delaney, a con man who would pass himself off as, well, Jimmy Buffett, to finagle free drinks and meals from fawning Parrotheads. (Buffett also played himself at the end of that same episode.)

Asked how he would like to be remembered, in a 2020 Rolling Stone feature, Buffett said simply, “He had a good time and made a lot of people happy.”

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