ToughPigs is saddened to report that singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett has passed away at the age of 76.
Known for hits like “Margaritaville,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Come Monday,” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” Buffett enjoyed a career in music that lasted nearly sixty years, frequently recording new albums and touring to the adoration of millions of fans, affectionately dubbed “Parrot Heads.” Buffett capitalized on his fame and unique brand by leveraging it into multiple business ventures, including the Margaritaville restaurants, resorts, and real estate complexes, as well as his partnership with Anheuser-Busch to create Landshark Lager and the short-lived Broadway musical “Escape to Margaritaville.”
Often backed by The Coral Reefer Band, Buffett’s songs mused about life, love, and exotic, tropical locales, which unsurprisingly brought him together with the Muppets twice in the 1990’s. First, he performed an otherworldly duet with Gonzo on Kermit Unpigged, where they sang “Mr. Spaceman.” You can listen to that below, or hear our own Ryan Roe, Anthony Strand, and Becca Petunia discuss the album on a special episode of “Movin’ Right Along.”
Buffett would also bring his laid-back style four years later to Elmopalooza, where he teamed up with Kermit the Frog on the obvious choice for his talents, “Caribbean Amphibian.”
With a unique creative voice and lifestyle, Buffett truly lived up to his motto of “Live Life Like a Song,” and we’re grateful that the Muppets got a little time to play with him.
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by Matthew Soberman (matthew@toughpigs.com)
