Jimmy Buffett’s secret health battle as music legends pay tribute
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have shared memories of “good times” with music icon Jimmy Buffett, as his cause of death is revealed.
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Nicole Kidman and her husband Keith Urban are the latest A-listers to pay tribute to Margaritaville singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, who died at the age of 76.
Kidman, 56, took to her Instagram Stories with photos from an event where Buffett and Urban, 55, performed together.
The snaps included one of the two musicians entertaining a private gathering, and another shot of Kidman and Buffett, wearing his trademark Hawaiian shirt, having an intimate chat.
“Remembering the good times, you will be missed,” Kidman wrote.
Elton John also wrote in his Instagram story: “Jimmy Buffett was a unique and treasured entertainer. His fans adored him and he never let them down.
“This is the saddest of news. A lovely man gone way too soon. Condolences to (his wife) Jane and the family from (my husband) David (Furnish) and me.”
CAUSE OF DEATH REVEALED
Singer-songwriter Buffett died after a secret years-long battle with skin cancer and his friend Paul McCartney sang to him in his final days, sources have revealed.
The singer-songwriter’s death at the age of 76 came four years after he was diagnosed with skin cancer that turned into lymphoma, a source told TMZ.
“He lived his life in the sun, literally and figuratively,” the source said, adding that Beatles legend Paul McCartney, a close friend of Buffett’s, visited the Margaritaville singer towards the end to sing to him.
News of Buffett’s health battle came as McCartney paid tribute to the star in a moving post, describing him as “one of the kindest and most generous people”.
The music legend told of Buffett’s “lust for life” and how the singer got a roadie to restring a left-handed guitar for him when McCartney forgot to bring his guitar on holiday.
“Right up to the last minute his eyes still twinkled with a humour that said, ‘I love this world and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it’,” McCartney wrote.
“When we swapped tales about the past his were so exotic and lush and involved sailing trips and surfing and so many exciting stories that it was hard for me to keep up with him. … So many of us will miss Jimmy and his tremendous personality. His love for us all, and for mankind as a whole.”
Elton John said it was “the saddest of news”, describing Buffett as “a unique and treasured entertainer. His fans adored him and he never let them down.
“A lovely man gone way too soon, condolences to (his wife) Jane and the family from (my husband) David (Furnish) and me.”
US President Joe Biden honoured Buffett as a “poet of paradise” who used his gift for good.
“Jimmy Buffett was an American music icon who inspired generations to step back and find the joy in life and in one another,” Mr Biden wrote.
“We had the honour to meet and get to know Jimmy over the years, and he was in life as he was performing on stage – full of goodwill and joy, using his gift to bring people together.”
Former US president Bill Clinton also paid tribute to the star, who Bob Dylan once described as one of his favourite performers.
“Jimmy Buffett’s music brought happiness to millions of people,” Mr Clinton wrote.
“I’ll always be grateful for his kindness, generosity, and great performances through the years, including at the White House in 2000. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and legion of devoted fans.”
Hop-hop legend LL Cool J posted a simple but powerful tribute. “Rest in power Jimmy Buffett,” he wrote.
“I’m glad we had time to vibe. You were and always will be a truly inspiring human.”
MUSIC ICON INSPIRED MILLIONS
Buffett was “surrounded by his family, friends music and dogs” in his final hours, according to a statement published on his website and social media platform X.
He is survived by his wife, Jane Slagsvol, daughters Savannah and Sarah, and son Cameron.
The musician, whose fans were affectionately referred to as “Parrotheads”, entertained millions of concert goers for more than 50 years with his music that told stories of the beach bums and pirates from around the world.
“Through it all are woven the themes of escapism, wanderlust and an unbridled curiosity that makes life a journey worth taking,” his website states.
He was forced to cancel several shows due to health issues last year and was admitted to hospital.
In May and June this year, he cancelled more concerts after revealing he was “back in the hospital to address some issues that needed immediate attention”.
“Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,” the statement said.
“He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”
— Jimmy Buffett (@jimmybuffett) September 2, 2023
He sang a mix of hits that dominated the music charts in the 1970s and 1980s including “the big 8” which were played at nearly every one of his shows before 2003.
Beside his 1977 hit song Margaritaville, he sang Come Monday, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, A Pirate Looks at Forty, Fins, Volcano and Why Don’t We Get Drunk.
Buffett also wrote novels including Tales from Margaritaville, Where is Joe Merchant? and a memoir titled A Pirate Looks at Fifty. They all reached No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list.
He also co-wrote two children’s books, The Jolly Mon and Trouble Dolls, with his eldest daughter, Savannah Jane Buffett.
He also toured Australia through his long music career, and on Australia Day in 2011 he accidentally fell off the stage while performing at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion after an encore.
He was treated by trauma doctor Gordian Fulde who was enjoying the concert and leapt over the barricades to help him before he was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital and later discharged.
He later returned to perform in Melbourne and Sydney in 2012, where he also opened his first Margaritaville restaurant at Darling Harbour as part of a global bar franchise.
Unfortunately, the restaurant closed a few years later.
He played a surprise free concert at the Quicksilver Pro surfing event in 2014 where he was joined by Australian pro-surfer Stephanie Gilmore on stage. He came back and performed at Byron Bay’s famous Bluesfest in 2017.
Buffet had TV appearances in popular shows including Blue Bloods and Hawaii Five-O. He also had film roles in Jurassic World and Hoot.
The musician was born on Christmas Day in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and raised in Mobile, Alabama. He played guitar while at Auburn University before he headed to Nashville where he released his first country album, Down to Earth, in 1970.
He spoke about recording a new album this year titled Equal Strain on all Parts with his Coral Reefer Band in April, before they were meant to be announcing a tour with new shows.
Before he died, Buffet made 29 studio albums, 9 compilation albums, 14 live albums and 8 specialty albums.
He also created a Broadway play and had numerous Grammy nominations and gained Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association awards.
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Originally published as Jimmy Buffett’s secret health battle as music legends pay tribute
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