Notable celebrities such as Nicole Kidman, Elton John, and LL Cool J have paid tribute to the late singer and songwriter Jimmy Buffett, who passed away at the age of 76. Known for his laid-back approach to life and his creation of the tropical rock genre, Buffett died at his home in Sag Harbor, Long Island. His official website confirmed the news. Buffett’s most famous song, “Margaritaville,” released in the 1970s, was named after the popular cocktail. He had previously performed in Rhode Island in early July, making a surprise appearance. Buffett had been battling Merkel cell skin cancer for the past four years, a rare and aggressive cancer that typically affects the face, head, or neck before spreading to other parts of the body.
Celebrities took to social media to express their condolences. Nicole Kidman, whose husband Keith Urban had performed with Buffett, shared photos on her Instagram story of her and Buffett with a message remembering the good times. Elton John wrote on his Instagram story that Buffett was a unique and treasured entertainer, and LL Cool J described him as a truly inspiring human. Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson also posted on social media, sharing a picture of one of Buffett’s album covers with a message of love and mercy. Actor Miles Teller shared pictures with Buffett along with poignant messages on social media.
Buffett founded the Coral Reefer Band in 1975 and achieved great success throughout his seven-decade career. He earned Grammy nominations and various country music awards. His fans, known as Parrot Heads, embraced his music, which embodied a tropical and carefree lifestyle. In addition to his musical career, Buffett was a savvy businessman, using the Margaritaville brand from his hit song as the foundation for a billion-dollar empire that included restaurants, clothing, casinos, and more.
Professional surfer Kelly Slater shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, revealing that Buffett had become like a surrogate father to him since they met in France in 2010. Slater described the themes of Buffett’s music as fishing, diving, dreaming, and living the dream in the tropics. He expressed gratitude for Buffett’s positive attitude and generosity, emphasizing the impact he had on his life.
Buffett’s official Instagram account announced his passing, stating that he passed away peacefully surrounded by family, friends, music, and his dogs. The post celebrated how Buffett lived his life like a song until the very end and expressed how much he will be missed by many. Buffett is survived by his wife Jane, his daughters Savannah and Sarah, his son Cameron, and his six dogs.
Source link
