Jimmy Buffett 079

Jimmy Buffett 079

Look closer for four lyrics and three song titles: “I blew out my flip-flop, stepped on a pop top” (Margaritaville); “I spent four lonely days in a brown L.A. haze” (Come Monday); “Heaven on earth with an onion slice” (Cheeseburger in Paradise); “The joy is always enough” (Bubbles Up); Fins; Volcano; and Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude.

James William Buffett (12-25-1946 – 09-01-2023), an American musician and singer-songwriter, was best known for his tropical rock music. It portrayed a lifestyle of “island escapism.” 

Buffett was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and spent part of his childhood in Mobile and Fairhope, Alabama. He was the son of Mary Lorraine and James Delaney Buffett, Jr. who worked for the United States Army Corps of Engineers. He has two younger siblings, Laurie (born 1948) and Lucy (born 1953).

He was familiar with sailing; his grandfather, James Delaney Buffett, was a steamship captain from Newfoundland and his father was a marine engineer and sailor. These experiences influenced his music. At fifteen, his first performance was at a hootenanny in Biloxi, Mississippi, where he played a Stella guitar.

Buffett enrolled at Auburn University and was taught to play guitar by a fraternity brother to “garner attention from girls”. Buffett failed out in April 1966, “unable to balance his newfound interests in music and girls with his college classes”. He then played acid rock in a band called the Upstairs Alliance to sound like Jefferson Airplane. He eventually went back to college receiving a bachelor’s degree in history in 1969. In college, he worked in a shipyard as an electrician and welder. He avoided serving in the Vietnam War due to a college deferment and a failed physical exam. 

Buffett recorded hit songs known as “The Big 8”: “Margaritaville” (1977), ranked 234 on the list of “Songs of the Century”; “Come Monday” (1974); “Fins” (1979); “Volcano” (1979); “A Pirate Looks at Forty” (1974); “Cheeseburger in Paradise” (1978); “Why Don’t We Get Drunk” (1973); and “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” (1977). His other popular songs include “Son of a Son of a Sailor” (1978), “One Particular Harbour” (1983), and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” with Alan Jackson (2003). He formed the Coral Reefer Band in 1975.

Of the over 30 albums released by Buffett, eight are certified gold and nine are certified platinum or multiplatinum. In total, Buffett sold over 20 million albums.

Buffett leveraged the “island escapism” lifestyle of his music into several business ventures, including Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurant chain, the now-defunct Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant chain. He made ventures in authoring books, hotels, casinos, liquor, and retirement communities. Buffett’s net worth was $1 billion one of the world’s richest musicians. His devoted fan base of mostly baby boomers, are known as “Parrotheads.”

credit – wikipedia

Why Parrot Heads? It all began in Cincinnati, Ohio — an area Buffett has said was integral to his success. Buffett commented on the many tropical shirts and parrot hats in the crowd.  [The concert was at the Timberwolf Amphitheater on the grounds of Kings Island Amusement Park. The promotional gifts the night of the concert were large inflatable parrots.] More than 200 Parrot Head clubs are in the United States, Canada, and Australia. They do humanitarian work, events and concerts aligned with the Parrot Head lifestyle under the national umbrella organization Parrot Heads in Paradise (PHIP), recognized by Buffett himself.

credit – grunge.com

A MESSAGE FROM JANE (09-09-2023)

As Jimmy said a few months ago, “growing old is not for sissies.” These last few years have been unimaginably challenging for Jimmy and me, and we’re definitely not sissies. One thing we both knew and experienced, through every difficult moment, was the feeling of being buoyed up by all the people in our lives. Everywhere we went, at arenas, at events, and even in the hospitals, we were surrounded by love. There is a whole world of people I want to thank for the incredible kindness you showed us.

Since those early days and all through the decades, Jimmy’s fans became a big, boisterous family. Thank you for creating the world’s most joyful community. The smile that Jimmy beamed at you from the stage was sparked by your spirit. I think that’s why he loved performing so much. He was so grateful to the community you built around him. Your sympathy and support inspire and comfort me and my family.

To the teams of doctors, nurses, hospice workers, and caregivers, your compassion was overwhelming in the best possible way. Jimmy listened to everything you said and followed your every order. You gave him hope, even at the most hopeless moments. Thank you for your tenacity in seeking the best solutions at each stage of his illness. You were honest, brave, and empathic; you showed us such dignity and goodness. I could not have asked for a better team of professionals.

To all those who work with and for Jimmy and me, thank you. We know that we’ve surrounded ourselves with the best, most honorable, most generous people, and we know how fortunate we have been for all these years. You made our lives better in thousands of ways, big and small, each day. That was especially true during these last few years. I hope you know how much we care about you and always value the work you do. It is deeply comforting to know that I can depend on your loyalty, your sincerity, and your respect. You have earned ours in return.

To my amazing friends, you have expanded the meaning and depth of friendship. Jimmy and I felt your breathtaking love and compassion throughout our lives and, especially, over these past few years. Jimmy brightened telling you stories over long dinners as the cicadas sang. He loved occupying his place at the head of the table, looking at the people he cherished. You created a microclimate of affection that surrounded us like the sun. It gave us hope; it felt like a celebration even when things were grim. It’s a balm to me now. Without your friendship, we surely would have fallen. I wish each of you has friends as gracious, generous, and kind.

Jimmy was love. Every cell in his body was filled with joy. He smiled all the time, even when he was deeply ill. And his sense of humor never wavered. Jimmy was always the optimist, always twinkling, always making us laugh.

To my family. I cannot begin to express what you mean to me and Jimmy. I cherish you, I love you, and I am unfathomably grateful to you every day. You are my heart.

One of the last songs Jimmy recorded was “Bubbles Up.” He sings, “Just know that you are loved, there is light up above, and the joy is always enough. Bubbles up.” Jimmy knew he was loved. Right until the end, he looked for the light. Thank you for giving joy to him and to me.

Love,
Jane

credit – jimmybuffett.com

The artwork: 

The first print of this illustration is available to support a non-profit fundraiser. Contact lisafromlsu@gmail.com.for details.

Digital Print on Archival Matte – Original is graphite and Prisma Colors: Sunburst Yellow; Orange; True Green; Aqua; True Blue; Slate Blue; and Terra Cotta.

Artist: Tobin Bortner of Bastrop, Texas – drawing done in October of 2023 – ©Tobin Signs/Look Closer Illustrations 
DERIVATIVE Work – photo credits: face from thefamouspeople_com – jimmy-buffett-1; guitar from counton2_com – i0_wp_com – Jimmy-Buffett; inflatable parrot from pinterest_com – i_pinimg_com – 64670f3b372e88230768aaf426dad1ee

What you get:
$40 (36.95 + 3.05 tax)
11 x 14 Print Package with Authenticity Sheet
signed and numbered (run of 80)
Domestic Priority Mail $8 (Free shipping)