2023-09-03 05:09:04
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — “Margaritaville” blared Saturday from Key West, Fla., to New York City and beyond as legions of fans mourned. the passing of beach singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett at age 76.
Named following a resort in Florida, Buffett’s hit song has long been the anthem of the city of Key West, where the artist once lived and forged his enduring legacy.
“Everyone equates that song with our city,” said Key West commissioner Clayton Lopez. “What I mean is that when you talk regarding Margaritaville you are talking regarding the city of Key West.”
The community was preparing for Sunday a day of remembrance on Duval Street (Duval Street), where Key West’s most famous restaurants and music venues are located, such as the Chart Room, a bar where Buffett sang early in his career.
“He’s already doing another show, now in heaven,” said Jimmy Weekley, owner of Fausto, one of Key West’s top-rated restaurants.
Buffett’s fans are everywhere, and tributes were not long in coming on Saturday.
President Joe Biden sent condolences to the Buffett family “and to the millions of fans who will continue to adore him even as his boat now sails for new shores.” Former President Bill Clinton wrote on the X platform, formerly Twitter, that Buffet “brought happiness to millions of people with his music.”
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys wrote: “Love and Mercy, Jimmy Buffet” and Paul McCartney described the late singer-songwriter as “one of the kindest, most generous people.”
Matt Urben, a self-described “parrot head,” as Buffett admirers are known, and a Brooklyn resident, learned of Buffett’s death upon waking up. He joined other supporters in New York to remember the artist.
“I was moved,” said Urben, 32, who said he has seen 48 Buffett concerts since his college days. “They were very special and fun… So many stories, so many memories.”
Moments later, Urben and a friend headed to the Margaritaville restaurant in Times Square — part of Buffett’s business empire — which is described as an island-inspired oasis in the middle of New York City.
When “Margaritaville” came on, Reid Johnson began to sing. Johnson said he was not a parrot head but “his music is very familiar to me.”
Jeanne Fetner had traveled from Northern Virginia with her daughter Avery to visit colleges in New York City and heard the news. She headed to Margaritaville to pay tribute to Buffett, whose ode to a hamburger “Cheeseburger in Paradise” is her favorite song.
Fetner recalled visiting Key West years ago for spring break.
“My friends and I went to Buffett’s house and rang his doorbell,” Fetner recounted. Buffett’s daughter, Savannah, opened it and told visitors: “My dad can’t get out but he thanks you for coming,” she added.
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