Jimmy Buffett was remembered today by his famous friends as the quintessential songwriter, an artist whose work ran deeper than the popular images of lazy days on the beach.
Kenny Chesney, who had Buffett join him on a remake of Buffett’s “Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season” on Chesney’s 2018 album, Songs for the Saints, posted a video Saturday morning. He remembered Buffett with a rendition from the beach in Key West, Florida, singing Buffett’s song A Pirate Looks at Forty” on Instagram.
“So goodbye Jimmy. Thanks for your friendship and the songs I will carry in my heart forever. Sail On Sailor 🦜🌴🌊,” posted Chesney, who had appeared on the title track of Buffett’s 2004 release “License to Chill.”
Elton John remembered “Jimmy Buffett was a unique and treasured entertainer. His fans adored him and he never let them down,” he said in an Instagram story. “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.”
Brian Wilson, cofoundeder of the Beach Boys, paid tribute with a post calling back one of his own songs: “Love and Mercy, Jimmy Buffett.”
David Letterman’s official Facebook account posted a clip of Buffett’s appearance on “Late Night with David Letterman.” The clip showed Buffett plaing Distantly In Love and Come Monday.
Buffett told Letterman he was living in a Howard Johnson’s when he wrote the song, which became his first Top 40 single when it released in 1974. “It hit and I paid the rent and got my dog out of the pound … and the rest is history,” Buffett said.
