James William Buffett (December 25, 1946 – September 1, 2023) was an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, and businessman. He was best known for his tropical rock music, which often portrays a lifestyle described as “island escapism.”
Buffett recorded hit songs known as “The Big 8” “Margaritaville” (1977), which is ranked 234th on the Recording Industry Association of America’s list of “Songs of the Century”; “Come Monday” (1974); “Fins” (1979); “Volcano” (1979); “A Pirate Looks at Forty” (1974); “Cheeseburger in Paradise” (1978); “Why Don’t We Get Drunk” (1973); and “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” (1977). His other popular songs include “Son of a Son of a Sailor” (1978), “One Particular Harbour” (1983), and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” (2003). He formed the Coral Reefer Band in 1975.
