Jimmy Buffett, the iconic "Margaritaville" singer and businessman, passes away at age 76.

 

According to his official website and other media outlets, Jimmy Buffett, the tropical troubadour whose folksy tunes hailed his carefree lifestyle, established a vast business empire, and inspired legions of dedicated admirers, has passed away.

He was 76.

According to a statement posted on his social media website, Jimmy "passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs."

The statement read, "He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.

According to an updated obituary on his official website, Buffett was dying of Merkel cell skin cancer. He performed while receiving therapy for the condition for four years.

After visiting the Bahamas, the singer-songwriter spent a brief period of time in the hospital in May. He wrote on social media to his fans, "I had to stop in Boston for a checkup but landed myself back in the hospital to address certain concerns that needed immediate attention.

A day later, Buffett wrote on his blog that he would soon be leaving the hospital and thanks his fans for their "outpouring of support and well wishes." He did not reveal his illness, only that after he got home from the hospital, he planned to go on a "fishing trip with old friends, along with paddling and sailing and get myself back in good shape."

The music industry honors

On Saturday, mourners paid tribute on social media, including country music icon Kenny Chesney, whose own sun-kissed style is heavily influenced by Buffett.

"So goodbye Jimmy," tweeted Chesney. I appreciate your friendship and the music you gave me; I will always treasure them. Sailor, sail on. He also uploaded a video of himself performing "Son of a Son of a Sailor" by Jimmy Buffett while lying on a beach.

"The pirate is no more. Godspeed, Jimmy Buffett. Huge influence on so many of us," Toby Keith wrote.

The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson authored "Love and Mercy, Jimmy Buffett."

Jimmy Buffett was a special and beloved entertainer, Elton John penned on Instagram. He was adored by his followers and never let them down. The worst possible news is this. A beautiful man who passed away far too soon.

On the social networking website X, formerly known as Twitter, Paul McCartney expressed his admiration for Buffett as "one of the kindest and most generous people"

I adore this world and I'm going to cherish every minute of it, his eyes continued to gleam right up until the very last, McCartney wrote.

"So many of us will miss Jimmy and his tremendous personality, his love for us all, and for mankind as a whole," he said.

Favored by his "parrotheads," Buffett created a sizable fandom that adopted the moniker "Parrotheads" from the iconic Deadhead Grateful Dead fans.

He said, "The audience is so much fun to look at." They're actually just as entertaining to me as I hope I am to them, in a way.

"Cheeseburger in Paradise," "Fins," "Volcano," and "Why Don't We Get Drunk" were some other must-play concert songs.

His devotees devotedly embraced his idea of a life lived in flip-flops, filled with beaches, boats, alcohol, and marijuana.

He stated, "I still find magic in most of those locations where people assume there isn't any left, from New Orleans to the Gulf Coast down into St. Barts and other places.

Being a skilled marketer, Buffett later used the "Margaritaville" mythos to propel his career across decades of successful concert tours, as well as the branding of eateries, casinos, retirement complexes, best-selling books, and even a musical.