Jimmy Buffett, a folk rock singer from Mississippi who became a music legend overseeing a business empire in Florida, died on Friday at age 76. In a statement released Sunday, Buffet’s family said the singer died after a four-year battle with Merkel Cell Skin Cancer, a rare form of skin cancer. 

Buffett, who won the hearts of millions by writing Caribbean-tinged classics like “Margaritaville,” “A Pirate Looks at Forty,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Volcano” and “One Particular Harbour,” was a prolific performer whose concerts resembled massive parties. His last large-scale concert was on May 6 in San Diego. Buffett was hospitalized later that month and gave his last public performance on June 11 in Amagansett, New York.

News of Buffett’s death shocked his loyal legion of fans, known as “parrotheads.”

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— Jimmy Buffett (@jimmybuffett) September 2, 2023

“Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by family, friends, music and dogs,” said a Saturday morning message posted to Buffett’s social media accounts. “He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”

I last saw Jimmy Buffett perform on February 15 in Hollywood, Florida. Two years earlier, he came to our town, Delray Beach, for a special series of concerts. Like so many other parrotheads, I will forever cherish the music and memories he left behind.

Rest in peace, Jimmy Buffett.

Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is the author of the forthcoming I Have Your Back, the recently released Be Bold and co-author of Three Wise Men, Brothers Forever, 8 Seconds of Courage and Fire in My Eyes. Follow Tom on X @TSileo and The Stream at @Streamdotorg.