Singer and songwriter Jimmy Buffett’s death was announced early on Saturday. The nationally known singer had a long relationship with Alabama, and hundreds of thousands of Alabamians know the lyrics to his songs.
Buffett died from Merkel cell carcinoma, an aggressive and relatively rare skin cancer that eventually metastasized into lymphoma. Buffett was diagnosed with the condition, and it caused him to cancel concerts in 2022. In May, he canceled a performance in South Carolina and was hospitalized.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey expressed her condolences on Twitter Saturday.
“Like many Alabamians, I am saddened to learn of Jimmy Buffett’s passing,” Gov. Ivey said on Twitter. “Truly, the stars fell on Alabama’s shores with his music, and there will never be another quite like him who can capture the spirit of our Gulf Coast. Rest easy, Jimmy.”
U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) also expressed her condolences on Twitter.
“Jimmy Buffett lived an incredible life— his music epitomizing the fun in the sun culture of his native Gulf Coast,” Sen. Britt said on Twitter. “We are fortunate that his star fell on Alabama. Our prayers are with his loved ones.”
Buffett was a native of Pascagoula, Mississippi, but his family moved to Mobile, and many of his songs are influenced by the culture of his laid-back Gulf Coast upbringing. Buffett was a student at Auburn University when a fellow fraternity member taught him to play the guitar. Buffett took up music as his calling and soon found that he loved performing more than he loved academics. He never graduated from Auburn but is one of the University’s best-loved alumni. After a period that included performing on the streets of New Orleans, Buffett eventually earned a degree in history from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Buffett had a five decades-long career that produced 29 albums and favorite singles, including Margaritaville, One Particular Harber, A Pirate Looks at Forty, Why Don’t We Get Drunk, Volcano, Cheeseburger in Paradise, He Went to Paris, Fins, Son of a Son of a Sailor, Changes in Latitudes – Changes in Attitudes, and Come Monday.
Buffett’s condition worsened over the course of the summer, so his passing was not a surprise to his family and close friends. He entered hospice on August 28. He died surrounded by his family, friends, and dogs. British musician Paul McCartney visited Buffett and his family a week earlier.
Buffett songs were played at both the Auburn and Alabama home football games on Saturday. Buffett has not yet been inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.
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