September 02, 2023
Jimmy Buffett RIP
Timothy Birdnow
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66694147
Buffett was the nephew of Billionaire investor Warren Buffett, and while that undoubtedly opened doors for the old pirate it was Buffett's embrace of the Caribbean and the music of the sea that made him a superstar. Originally Buffett was just another country singer but his love of the islands and their culture and music soon set him apart from all other singers at the time. Nobody was doing Calypso style music when Buffet came along (yes, guys like Harry Beafonte' did Calypso and other such music, but Buffett brought it back.)
He owned the genre'. And it was wildly popular, spurring the "parrot heads" to follow him around like puppies.
I had a friend who got into Jimmy Buffett when he lived up in Alaska. So when Buffett came to St. Louis in the late '80's for the first time in twenty years we went. I was expected a modest crowd but Riverport Ampitheater was completely packed - and everyone knew all the songs! I was shocked at the turnout. So was Jimmy, who said he wouldn't neglect the city again with a shaking of his head showing his astonishment at his own popularity.
Why was Buffett so popular? He sang about, well, freedom. His songs were about being free on the sea, living life on your own terms and not according to the whims of another. He waxed poetic about the joys of the West Indies. He sang of the sea and it's promise. It spoke to everyone who ever dreamed of just chucking their glum lives and finding a new life in a beautiful tropical paradise.And his songs were often quite light-hearted, a break from the tedium and stress of life. Songs of faraway places and exotic lifestyles and a world that had somehow slipped away from us.
I don't know who will take up the mantle of Buffett, but I'm sure someone else will at some point.
At any rate he passed away peacefully at home. No cause of death was given.
So sail on you old pirate!
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66694147
Buffett was the nephew of Billionaire investor Warren Buffett, and while that undoubtedly opened doors for the old pirate it was Buffett's embrace of the Caribbean and the music of the sea that made him a superstar. Originally Buffett was just another country singer but his love of the islands and their culture and music soon set him apart from all other singers at the time. Nobody was doing Calypso style music when Buffet came along (yes, guys like Harry Beafonte' did Calypso and other such music, but Buffett brought it back.)
He owned the genre'. And it was wildly popular, spurring the "parrot heads" to follow him around like puppies.
I had a friend who got into Jimmy Buffett when he lived up in Alaska. So when Buffett came to St. Louis in the late '80's for the first time in twenty years we went. I was expected a modest crowd but Riverport Ampitheater was completely packed - and everyone knew all the songs! I was shocked at the turnout. So was Jimmy, who said he wouldn't neglect the city again with a shaking of his head showing his astonishment at his own popularity.
Why was Buffett so popular? He sang about, well, freedom. His songs were about being free on the sea, living life on your own terms and not according to the whims of another. He waxed poetic about the joys of the West Indies. He sang of the sea and it's promise. It spoke to everyone who ever dreamed of just chucking their glum lives and finding a new life in a beautiful tropical paradise.And his songs were often quite light-hearted, a break from the tedium and stress of life. Songs of faraway places and exotic lifestyles and a world that had somehow slipped away from us.
I don't know who will take up the mantle of Buffett, but I'm sure someone else will at some point.
At any rate he passed away peacefully at home. No cause of death was given.
So sail on you old pirate!
Posted by: Timothy Birdnow at
09:22 AM
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Jimmy died of skin cancer. Way too early, I'd say. He counted as his fans such people as Senator Ted Cruz and superlawyer Harmeet Dhillon. Not to mention this humble editor.
Posted by: Dana Mathewson at September 02, 2023 09:45 PM (QSsdw)
2
I caught that about the skin cancer Dana; I didn't think anyone did die of skin cancer anymore, but I suppose it's so. He no doubt spent a lot of time in the sun.
BTW, as a correction, I learned Buffett is NOT related in any way to Warren Buffett. Apparently I was taken in by a false piece of information making it's rounds.
BTW, as a correction, I learned Buffett is NOT related in any way to Warren Buffett. Apparently I was taken in by a false piece of information making it's rounds.
Posted by: Timothy Birdnow at September 03, 2023 10:03 AM (t3Kf5)
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