Margaritaville founder Jimmy Buffett — the Caribbean was his soul
Just as The Beach Boys defined the hip surfer rock from Southern California, Jimmy Buffett epitomised the laid-back tropicana sound of the Caribbean and Florida Keys.
Dubbed the ‘Pirate Poet’ because of his long association with the latter, Buffett died September 1, 2023 in Sag Harbor, New York, from skin cancer at age 76.
The Mississippi-born singer/songwriter was founder of Margaritaville, a popular chain of restaurants in the United States and the Caribbean, inspired by his 1977 hit song of the same name.
Its flagship Caribbean location was in Montego Bay, and is a popular attraction for Jamaicans and tourists. Ian Dear, chairman and CEO of Margaritaville Caribbean Group Ltd, remembers Buffett as a “truly beautiful person”.
They first met 26 years ago and had an enduring bond that transcended business.
“You talk about positive vibes? That’s Jimmy Buffett all the way… sea, sailing, fishing. Just living life in the Caribbean,” said Dear. “The man was just an amazing person who built his entire life around the Caribbean. It was such a privilege to have been friends with him for an extended period.”
Margaritaville’s other Caribbean restaurants are in Grand Cayman, St Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The free-spirited Buffett had regional country hit songs during the early and mid-1970s. That was around the time he discovered Key West, an island in the Florida Keys known as a retreat for the well-heeled.
Margaritaville was his biggest selling song. It inspired his Margaritaville Cafe in Key West which was party central for him and his ardent followers, known as Parrot Heads.
His death is mourned by ardent fans and celebrity friends including Sir Paul McCartney, who paid tribute to Buffett on Instagram.
“It seems that so many wonderful people are leaving this world, and now Jimmy Buffett is one of them,” he wrote, adding: “I’ve known Jimmy for some time and found him to be one of the kindest and most generous people.”
Jimmy Buffett is survived by his wife, three children and grandchildren.
