From Tribune staff report
Jimmy Buffett, an American music icon and Alabama native, has died. He was 76.
Buffett, born in Pascagoula, Miss. on Christmas Day of 1946, spent much of his childhood and youth in Alabama. He graduated from McGill-Toolen in Mobile and spent a year at Auburn University before beginning a journey that would lead to him becoming a music legend in his own lifetime.
He created the background music for a generation with a Key West theme that never seemed too far removed from his Pascagoula and Mobile roots. Buffett’s music defined the Gulf Coast lifestyle the way Brian Wilson’s music defined the Pacific Coast lifestyle of the 60s.
While best known for his hit Margaritaville, his Parrothead devotees and even the more casual Buffett aficionados will point to his impressively deep songbook. The singer, songwriter, philosopher taught audiences to appreciate the perfection of a cheeseburger and, along with Alan Jackson, the value of multiple time zones.
He is survived by his wife, Jane Buffett; two daughters, Savanah Jane Buffett and Sarah Buffett; a son, Cameron; two grandsons; and two sisters, Lucy and Laurie Buffett.
Couple more weeks until we’re back in Alabama! Now where did that t-shirt go….. https://t.co/ZXXh8RWmzG pic.twitter.com/XDHinRaI4X
— Jimmy Buffett (@jimmybuffett) May 17, 2022