Mississippi’s most legendary yacht rocker is heading to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The late Jimmy Buffett was included in this year’s class – even though he wasn’t officially nominated – when the 2024 inductees were announced during a recent airing of American Idol. Buffett, who passed away at 76 last September after a battle with cancer, was not recognized by the hall as a performer but rather for “musical excellence,” which has been a non-voted route for stars to get their due.
“Thank you to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Being inducted with these outstanding artists is a wonderful recognition of the impact Jimmy has had on so many of and his contributions to the field,” an official statement from Buffett’s remaining band members reads. “Jimmy often made it look easy but he gave everything he had to the music and the fans. A hall of famer if there ever was one.”
Born in Pascagoula on Christmas day of 1946, Buffett was raised in Mobile, Ala., before learning to play the guitar during his first year of college at Auburn University. He continued strumming while a student at Pearl River Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi. By the time his senior year rolled around, Buffett was playing six nights a week on Bourbon Street in New Orleans before he decided to hit the road for Nashville post-graduation.
After a futile attempt at being a folk-country singer, a fateful trip to Key West, Fla., in 1971 inspired Buffett to move into more of a beach bum soft rock style. The decision paid dividends as by 1974, Buffett was No. 30 on the charts with his song, “Come Monday.” By the end of 1974, his “Margaritaville” had spent 22 weeks on the charts, peaking at No. 8 as listeners related to the island escapism lifestyle Buffett was displaying through his tunes.
Within no time, Parrotheads – the name Buffett fans lovingly called themselves – were flocking everywhere as Buffett went on to release 30 studio albums, multiple New York Times bestselling books, a Broadway play, and win numerous awards. He also built a business empire that includes a staple location in Biloxi.
All of Buffett’s success and the role he played in shaping yacht rock will be honored on Oct. 19 in Cleveland, Ohio. Other 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees include A Tribe Called Quest, Dave Matthews Band, Mary J. Blige, Foreigner, Kool & the Gang, Peter Frampton, Ozzy Osbourne, MC5 (musical excellence), Norman Whitfield (musical excellence), and Dionne Warwick (musical excellence).
