American singer Jimmy Buffett on stage on November 3, 2018 in West Palm Beach, Florida (GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/Archives/JOE RAEDLE)
American country singer and successful entrepreneur Jimmy Buffett, who rose to fame with his 1977 hit “Margaritaville,” died Saturday night at the age of 76, according to a statement posted on his website.
“Jimmy left us peacefully on the night of September 1, surrounded by his family, his friends, his music and his dogs”, can we read there, “he will be missed by many”.
However, the causes of death were not specified.
“This is very sad news, a lovely man gone too soon”, reacted on Instagram the British singer Elton John, “Jimmy Buffett was a unique and precious artist”.
Its flagship title, “Margaritaville”, had remained at the top of the Billboard charts for 22 weeks, serving as the launch pad for a successful musical career but also in the business world.
Nicknamed the “mayor of Margaritaville”, the singer will produce around thirty albums during his career, mixing country, folk and Caribbean sounds while successfully developing chains of hotels, restaurants and stores, capitalizing on his relaxed image.
Born on December 25, 1946 in the state of Mississippi but raised in the neighboring state of Alabama, Mr. Buffett began playing the guitar in college, initially playing on the streets and on small stages at the New Orleans, according to its website.
He released his first album in 1970, the beginning of a rich career which also led him to the publication of bestselling books as well as appearances in cinema or television and even on the boards of Broadway, with his musical “Escape to Margaritaville”.
The singer was expected to release a new album by the end of the year.
Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson paid tribute to Jimmy Buffett on X (ex-Twitter), posting a photo of the cover of the album “Havana Daydreamin”, released in 1976.
“Love and Mercy, Jimmy Buffett,” he captioned.
© 2023 AFP
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