Jimmy Buffett was an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, and businessman. He was best known for his tropical rock music, which often portrays a lifestyle described as "island escapism"1. He was born on December 25, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi and spent his early formative years in Mobile, Alabama. He briefly attended Auburn University and pursued a career as a solo act. By 1971, he’d moved to Key West, Florida to work as a busker and there he developed the musical style that made him famous3. His music was described as “beach bum” by some, while others use terms like “calypso country-rock,” “gulf and western,” and—by Buffett, himself—“drunken Caribbean rock ‘n’ roll".

In 1977, “Margaritaville,” a song on his album Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, was such a success that Billboard ranked it the #14 song of the year3. While other songs of his, like “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” also gained mainstream success, “Margaritaville” was his biggest hit. Despite that, his specific style of music attracted a loyal fan base of followers, known as the Parrotheads.

In 1985, Buffett moved beyond music, opening a Margaritaville retail store in Key West. A similarly named cafe followed two years later. From that, he expanded into spirits sales, footwear (yes, there were flip-flops), packaged snacks, and other branded restaurants. Between those businesses, his music career, and other investments, Buffett’s businesses are worth an estimated $1 billion.

James Taylor, a friend of Jimmy Buffett and six-time Grmmy Award winner and Rock N ROll Hall of Famer spoke highly of him in an interview with Rolling Stone. Taylor said that Buffett “didn’t have any illusions about who he was and what he was doing. He made fun of himself and he made fun of the institution of celebrity. His eyes were always open. And yet it was always celebratory and joyful.” Taylor also mentioned that Buffett had “an immense amount of positive energy” and that “you can’t think about the guy without smiling”.

Jimmy Buffett was married to Jane Slagsvol, whom he met in 1971 in Key West. Together, they had three children: Savannah Jane Buffett, born on June 1, 1979; Sarah Delaney Buffett, born on April 1, 1992; and Cameron Marley Buffett, whom they adopted in 1994.

Jimmy Buffett died at the age of 76 from complications of Merkel cell skin cancer, according to a statement published on his website.