Beach bar balladeer's music, stories live on

According to my watch the time is now
The past is dead and gone
Don't try to shake it, just nod your head
Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.

– Jimmy Buffett (1946-2023)

By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press

The forever-young beach bar balladeer has played his last tune. Jimmy Buffett died Sept. 1 at the age of 76. Godspeed.

One day before my 50th birthday in July 2011, I wrote a little bit about the Key West legend by way of Pascagoula, Miss.

Jimmy Buffett recorded a song called "A Pirate Looks at Forty," and he wrote a book entitled "A Pirate Looks at Fifty." Good for him.

As I approached the half-century mark, I mentioned that for those friends of mine who were approaching that 40-marker of life's navigational beacon, you have my sympathy. The 40 plateau was tougher than most. In fact, a friend of mine who's now in his mid-60s maintains that turning 40 was life's real kick in the teeth. (Or lower.) I disagree.

After turning 60 not long ago, I'll take the 40 for a do-over. Of course, life does not work that way, does it?

Before 40, we were still among the young, relatively speaking. Before 40, middle age wasn't yet a reality of fate. Before 40, we could estimate that our life was not already half over. Before 40, the AARP public relations morons left us alone – and would for at least another decade.

Jimmy Buffett made a career out of recognizing and empathizing with the fact that life for all of us is, indeed, fleeting. His lyrics were readily identifiable for all of us who dream about that one particular harbor, where we enjoy a cheeseburger in paradise and waste away again in Margaritaville. His Radio Margaritaville (https://www.margaritaville.com/rplay) is often heard playing softly on my office computer.

Buffett was born on Dec. 25, 1946, in Pascagoula, Miss. and spent his childhood in Mobile and Fairhope, Ala. He was the son of Mary Lorraine (née Peets) and James Delaney Buffett Jr., who worked for the Army Corps of Engineers.

Buffett started playing guitar in college (Auburn, not Alabama – Roll Tide). He also was a big Democrat and Hillary Ramrod Clinton supporter. (Nobody's perfect; see Auburn University above).

Buffett began his musical career in Nashville, Tenn. in the late 1960s as a country artist. His first album, "Down to Earth," was released in 1970. 

Buffett caught a break with singer Jerry Jeff Walker, who brought him to Key West on a busking (playing for tips) trip in November 1971. Buffett then moved to Key West – and the legend began.

Buffett's second release was "A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean" in 1973. The album included hits as diverse as "He Went to Paris" and "Why Don't We Get Drunk." It was around this time that I became a Buffett fan. Never quite made it to Parrothead status, but a fan nonetheless.

Subsequent albums were recorded, including "Living & Dying in 3/4 Time," which included "Come Monday." Next were "A1A," "Havana Daydreamin'" and "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes," which featured Buffett's biggest hit, "Margaritaville."

Buffett's album "License to Chill" was released on July 13, 2004. It sold 238,600 copies in its first week, and with this, Buffett topped the U.S. pop albums chart for the first time in his career.

One of my favorite Jimmy Buffett quotes is “If there’s a heaven for me, I’m sure it has a beach attached.” And now it has a new leader of the band. For the rest of us, his music and stories live on.

Yes, I am a pirate, 200 years too late. I'm an over 60 victim of fate...

So long, Jimmy Buffett. Fins up. 

• P.S. Late Saturday, Sept. 2, just by happenstance, Pam, Colin and I walked over to ByWater Beachside Beach Bar & Grill. Tim Roberts (see https://timrobertsbeardedmusic.com/) was playing a few tribute songs to Jimmy Buffett. It was an unexpected treat to listen to Tim and sipping a cold brew just above the beach. Great show. We'll be back.

Rory Ryan is publisher and editor of The Highland County Press.