Singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett has passed at the age of 76. According to a statement on his website, “Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of Sept. 1 surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs. He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”
Born in Mississippi and raised in Alabama, Buffett moved to Nashville in the late 1960s, but also spent time in New Orleans and Key West, busking and developing his tropical style. His breakthrough came with 1977’s anthemic “Margartitaville,” which was a Top 10 Pop and Top 5 Country hit and ultimately served as the namesake of his personal brand. His relentless touring earned him a legion of fans known as “Parrotheads.” He was introduced to a new generation of country fans with No. 1 duets with Alan Jackson in 2003 (“It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere”) and Zac Brown Band in 2011 (“Knee Deep”).