He Was One of Us

Jimmy Buffet barefoot on a bicycle in Key West — *Photo by Don Kincaide*

Jimmy has left the stage. I hear he’s off sailing towards Orion’s Belt, surfing the Milky Way, smiling into the Sun.

Back in Key West we’re all still kind of in shock. Just like that, he’s gone. Is he coming back? He was always gone – just like that – then he’d appear for a few days, bringing the energy, and sometimes the circus, and then he’d jet off to another adventure, a business meeting, or back on tour.

Jimmy was an ethereal figure, a famous uncle of sorts, my mom’s close friend and business partner, a member of our family whose music and stories permeate my Key West childhood. He came to Key West escaping the real world and mainstream of the mainland. On our little island in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, he found his fellow tribe of misfits, nonconformists, dreamers, artists, and gentlemen pirates. But more so than most in our local tribe, Jimmy was ambitious and achieved real escape velocity from the comfortable, easy life in Cayo Hueso. Yet, even as his success catapulted into a global brand, Jimmy remained one of us. He never abandoned his life in the sun and the sand or the doobies or the fishing or the music or the tall tales. He took all of that with him, on the road, around the globe, and still kept a piece of Key West in his back pocket at all times.

Our island in the stream was simply too finite for Jimmy. He was infinitely curious, always in search of big ideas and new opportunities. More than once, he encouraged me to stretch myself beyond the laidback ease of the Keys, “It’s a big world out there, Spud. There’s a lot more going on outside of Key West.” Jimmy was an eternal optimist and believed in everyone’s potential, and much of his magic stemmed from his humility in not taking himself too seriously. He was Peter Pan, P.T. Barnum and the Pied Piper born in the form of a southern honky calypso poet. He was the leader of the band, and always a rolling stone.

He learned so much from his travels and relationships and time on the road, and he loved to share the keys to his success: work hard, have self-discipline, be lucky, have lots of fun. Jimmy was not a rule follower. He was a rascal, often reminding us kids that in life you should always beg forgiveness not permission. Jimmy was a good and decent man with a magical soul that was in tune with the spirit of the great heart, one love, and one human family. It was never about the money – though he’d remind you that owning your own jet is super cool and handy. His most valued currencies were friendship and conversation, fellowship, performing, adventure, and storytelling. How fortunate we are that he found his calling and never gave up the gig in search of a day job.

There are many more stories to tell about the shining light and adventurous escapades of Jimmy Buffett. His transition to the cosmos is inspiring the next phase of his legendary myth building. Family, friends and parrotheads will continue to gather for decades celebrating Jimmy, his music, and his way of life. We will sing his songs and further embellish his stories, and remember that he was just one of us, a local Key Wester, a musician, and a captain who loved riding his bike to the beach.

So, let’s strike up the band! Keep the party going, and raise a toast to having known a man so rare. Thank you, Jimmy Buffett, for showing us the way. We’ll see you on the other side. Laissez les bons temps rouler à travers la galaxie!