Kenny Chesney Comments on the Legacy of Jimmy Buffett After His Death
Kenny Chesney is speaking on the loss of his dear friend, the legendary Jimmy Buffett, for the first time since the "Margaritaville" singer-songwriter's death.
Two days after Parade reported that Buffett had died at the age of 76 after battling an aggressive skin cancer, Chesney praised the everlasting legacy of the "It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere" crooner.
"Jimmy painted pictures and short stories in all the songs he wrote," the 55-year-old country singer told People in an interview published on Sunday, Sept. 3. "He taught a lot of people about the poetry in just living, especially this kid from East Tennessee."
Chesney also mourned Buffett's death in a touching tribute shared on his Instagram grid, which featured a video of the country singer covering Buffett’s song "A Pirate Looks at Forty" alongside the caption: "So goodbye Jimmy. Thanks for your friendship and the songs I will carry in my heart forever. Sail On Sailor 🦜🌴🌊."
The themes Chesney pointed out while talking to the outlet can not only be found in the lyrics of Buffett's music–most notably "Trip Around the Sun," "Bama Breeze" and "Livingston Saturday Night," among others–but also in his iconic island life aesthetic, which he later built into his billion-dollar empire of restaurants, retirement communities, books, recipes and merchandise.
“There was no such place as Margaritaville,” Buffett told the Arizona Republic in 2021. “It was a made-up place in my mind, basically made up about my experiences in Key West and having to leave Key West and go on the road to work and then come back and spend time by the beach."
“It’s pure escapism is all it is,” he continued. “I’m not the first one to do it, nor shall I probably be the last. But I think it’s really a part of the human condition that you’ve got to have some fun. You’ve got to get away from whatever you do to make a living or other parts of life that stress you out. I try to make it at least 50/50 fun to work and so far it’s worked out.”
At the time of his death, Buffett was estimated to be worth $1 billion.
His laidback beach bum lifestyle was reportedly shaped by his mother, Mary Loraine “Peets” Buffett, who encouraged her son to "Accept everyone for who they are, not what they do," "be well-traveled," "listen to your spirit and find joy," and "Live by the sea."
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