KEY WEST, Fla. – All the world used to be “Margaritaville” on Saturday, from Key West to New York City and past, as legions of fanatics mourned the passing of beach-bum balladeer Jimmy Buffett at the age of 76.
Buffett’s eponymous hit tune has lengthy been the anthem of Florida’s Key West, the place Buffett as soon as lived and built his enduring legacy.
“Everybody equates that song with our city,” mentioned Clayton Lopez, a Key West town commissioner. “I mean, when you say Margaritaville, you’re talking about the city of Key West.”
The neighborhood deliberate a remembrance Sunday alongside Duval Street, house to a few of Key West’s maximum well known eateries and song venues, together with the Chart Room, a dive bar the place Buffett sang early in his occupation.
“He’s doing another show now, but it’s in the sky,” mentioned Jimmy Weekley, who owns Fausto, a eating place that is certainly one of Key West’s landmarks.
Buffett’s fandom used to be fashionable, and tributes poured in Saturday.
President Joe Biden despatched condolences to Buffett’s circle of relatives “and to the millions of fans who will continue to love him even as his ship now sails for new shores.” Former President Bill Clinton wrote on X, previously Twitter, that Buffett’s “song introduced happiness to thousands and thousands of other folks.” Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys wrote: “Love and Mercy, Jimmy Buffett,” and Paul McCartney called him “one of the kindest and most generous people.”
Matt Urben, a self-described Parrothead, as Buffett fans are known, and a Brooklyn resident, awoke to news of Buffett’s death. He joined fellow fans in New York City to reminisce.
“I actually got emotional,” said Urben, 32, who said he’d seen 48 Buffett concerts since his college days. “They were really special and really fun. … Just so many stories and so many memories.”
Afterward, he and a buddy headed to the Margaritaville restaurant in Times Square — part of the Buffett business empire — which describes itself as “an island-inspired oasis in the middle of New York City.”
When “Margaritaville” played, Reid Johnson sang along. By no means a Parrothead, he said, “I’m very familiar with his music.”
Jeanne Fetner had traveled from Northern Virginia together with her daughter Avery to seek advice from schools in New York City when she heard the news. She went to Margaritaville to rejoice Buffett, whose ode to a pork patty and bun, “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” is her favorite song.
Fetner recalled a visit to Key West years ago on spring break.
“My friends and I went to Buffett’s house and rang the bell on his door,” Fetner recounted. Buffett’s daughter Savannah seemed and instructed the crew, “My dad can’t come out but he wanted to thank you for coming,” she mentioned.
Tracy Smith, from Tampa, Florida, arrived at the Times Square eating place together with her daughters in between Broadway presentations.
“We made a trip here to pay a tribute to Jimmy Buffett, too,” she said while sipping on a margarita.
“I bought all his music,” she said, “I love him and I love his vibe. He makes people happy.”
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Calvan reported from New York City.