Jimmy Buffett, legendary 'Margaritaville' singer, dies at 76

Legendary singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, best known for his song “Margaritaville,” has died, a statement posted to his website and social media channels said Saturday.

He was 76.

“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,” it added.

Fans, affectionately dubbed “Parrotheads,” were quick to pay tribute to Buffett on his Facebook page after news of his death spread.

“I am so sad. His music was such a big part of my life,” Rene Wolf-Bornstein wrote. “The music will live on.”

Another Brett Davis called it “a sad day,” adding that Buffett’s music was “truly part of the soundtrack of my life.”

Buffett was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, a town on the Gulf Coast, on Christmas Day 1946.

After learning guitar at college he began playing on the streets of New Orleans before going on to form his first band, the biography on his website says.

He later moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to work for Billboard Magazine and try his luck as a singer, the biography adds. But it was in Key West in the 1970s that Buffett “found his true voice,” the biography adds.

“Margaritaville” was released in 1977, which according to his own site launched him into national fame and into the history of American music.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.