My Facebook feed is loaded with Jimmy Buffett tributes from my friends to singers, athletes, and politicians. Buffett meant a lot to many people in the USA including myself. I saw Buffett the first time at what I think was either The New Dixie Saloon or Double Door Inn in 1975? It was before he became big time. I really can’t remember which was par for the course in those days. He had a cult following and as I told someone the other day I was baptized a Parrothead that night. I’ve seen him 7 times, I think. Again, some I remember some not so much.

There was always a sly grin, how fitting that if he had to die, of course it would be at the beginning of Labor Day weekend—summer’s end, the annual last breath of looseness and laughter. The main reason I was a huge fan was that he wrote about simple things. We Parrothead’s gave Buffett latitude because we loved his attitude. He never took himself seriously. Life’s pleasures, nothing extravagant: a lost shaker of salt, shrimp on the boil, the feel of an acoustic guitar’s strings on your fingertips as you sit on the front porch swing. He didn’t have dancers unless it was hula girls on stage, no elaborate stage. The first time I saw him it was Jimmy and a guitar. He wrote about cheeseburgers. How can you not smile, and salivate, when you hear the words: “Making the best of every virtue and vice, worth every damn bit of sacrifice, to get a cheeseburger in paradise”. He wrote about drinking, sitting in a bar, getting plastered, trying to pick up women. ” I really do appreciate the fact you’re sittin’ here Your voice sounds so wonderful But yer face don’t look too clear, So bar maid bring a pitcher, another round o’ brew Honey, why don’t we get drunk and screw.” Many a sing-a-long with that song. Jimmy Buffett celebrated slackers before the word existed to which I was one and the more I think about it I still am. “The sun is hot and that o’ clock is movin’ slow and so am I. Workday passes like molasses in wintertime but it’s July. Gettin’ paid by the hour, older by the minute My boss just pushed me over the limit. I’d like to call him somethin’ but think I’ll just call it a day, and pour me somethin’ tall and strong Make it a hurricane before I go insane It’s only half past twelve, but I don’t care It’s five o’clock somewhere.”

“You know Death will get you in the end, but if you are smart and have a sense of humor, you can thumb your nose at it for awhile. Jimmy Buffett

One of the reasons I was a fan was the songs sent you to a place where we all wanted to be. It could be on that “One Particular Harbour” or standing on the “Coast of Marseille” with your “Boat Drinks” in hand watching the “Everlasting Moon.” You would escape to those places. Escape we did.

So another icon, at least in my life and in the life of many others has passed away. It’s getting more frequent and it causes you to look at your own mortality. Much like rock and roll dying those who sang it are dying……except Keith Richards and now the only Jimmy Buffett we will hear will be those tribute bands.

So Jimmy, here is my tribute to you. You were such a big part of my musical life. I hope maybe, just one day we will see you at the beach you once said would be attached to heaven. Maybe Mañana.