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Terry Kirkman, the singer, songwriter, and co-founder of the Association, a band that, during its heyday in the 1960s, landed major hits with “Windy,” “Cherish” and more, died Saturday (Sept. 23) at his home in Montclair, CA. He was 83.
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“We’re saddened to report that Terry Kirkman passed away last night, RIP Terry,” reads a post on the Association’s official social channels. “He will live on in our hearts and in the music he so brilliantly wrote. Sending hugs and lots of love to Heidi and Sasha!”
Born in Salina, Kansas, Kirkman and his friend Jules Alexander relocated to Los Angles in the early ’60s, where the seeds for the Association were planted.
Early in his California journey, Kirkman played with Frank Zappa, before the late bandleader went on to form the Mothers of Invention.
Kirkman and Alexander were founders in the Men, which would disband, and from it the Association was formed in 1964. The folk-rock group peaked two years later with a string of recordings that also included “Along Comes Mary,” “Never My Love” and “Everything That Touches You.”
Known for their sharp sense of style and smooth harmonies, the Association opened the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, recognized as the first commercial American rock festival, with a bill including Jimi Hendrix and the Who, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, the Byrds, Canned Heat, and many more. They held their own among the legends of rock, onlookers noted at the time.
Kirkman wrote several hits for the Association, including “Cherish”, “Everything That Touches You”, and “Six Man Band,” and played a variety of wind, brass and percussion instruments on their recordings.
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Kirkman left the Association at the end of 1972, following the release of seven albums, led by their 1966 debut And Then… Along Comes the Association. He returned to the fold in 1979, splitting once more in 1984 – having had enough of relentless touring.
That earlier ‘80s reunion included recording sessions which followed an appearance on the HBO special Then and Now. The Association did release a couple of singles for Elektra around that time — including “Dreamer,” which hit No. 66 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981.
Over the years, the Association was nominated for six Grammy Awards, and earned a Golden Globe nomination in 1970 for best original song, with “Goodbye Columbus.”
Various incarnations of the band continue to perform, and their albums have achieved three platinum and six gold RIAA certifications, according to the Association’s official site, with its Greatest Hits (via Warner Brothers) now double platinum.
Kirkman dies 20 years following the Association’s induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, in 2003. Bandmate Russ Giguere told his side of the band’s story in 2020’s Along Comes The Association: Beyond Folk Rock and Three-Piece Suits.
The artist died of congestive heart failure following a long illness, his wife Heidi Berinstein Kirkman confirmed to the Los Angeles Times.
Roger Whittaker, folk singer and expert whistler known for tracks such as “Durham Town (The Leavin’),” “New World in the Morning” and his Billboard Hot 100 top 20 track “The Last Farewell,” has died at 87. The singer died on Wednesday, Sept. 13, according to a statement on his website.
“It is with great sadness that we share that our beloved Roger Whittaker passed away on the 13th. September 2023 he left us in peace in the presence of his family. During this difficult time we would like to thank everyone for their support and compassion,” the statement, also from Sony Music, read. “Roger was an iconic artist, a wonderful husband and father. He touched so many hearts with his music during his lifetime and will always live on in our memories. The family requests privacy as we go through this time of grief and we thank you for your understanding. Roger will be greatly missed, his legacy will forever live on in our hearts and in his art.”
Roger Henry Brough Whittaker was born March 22, 1936, in Nairobi. The singer was exposed to music through his family: his grandfather frequently sang in clubs, while his father played the violin. Whittaker’s earliest recordings were released while he was an undergrad at the University College of North Wales though the campus’ newspaper, which included his songs on flexi discs.
In 1969, Whittaker released “Durham Town (The Leavin’),” with the song eventually peaking at No. 23 Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, where he placed eight additional songs, including “New World in the Morning” (No. 12), “I Don’t Believe in If Anymore” (No. 10) and “The Last Farewell,” which became Whittaker’s most successful single, topping the AC chart. It was also his first and only track to reach the Hot 100, peaking at No. 19.
After becoming fluent in German, Whittaker catered to his fanbase and spent the 1970s and onward performing in the country, in addition to releasing 25 albums in German.
During his career, he also placed six albums on the all-genre Billboard 200, including The Last Farewell and Other Hits (No. 31) and When I Need You (No. 115).
According to his website, he and wife Natalie “settled into retirement” in France in 2012.
Irish Grinstead, a member of R&B girl group 702, has died. She was 43.
Grinstead’s sister and fellow 702 member, LeMisha Grinstead, shared the sad news through Instagram on Saturday (Sept. 16).
“It is with great sadness that I have to let you know that my beautiful sister and friend has passed away this evening,” the artist wrote. “She has had a long battle and she is finally at peace. That girl was as bright as the stars! She was not only beautiful on the outside, but also within. Sharing the stage with her was a joy I will cherish for the rest of my life! We, the family ask for prayers and respect for our privacy as we grieve an outstanding loss to our family.”
A cause of death was not provided, but 702 announced in December 2022 that Irish Grinstead was taking a “medical leave of absence due to serious medical issues.”
The Las Vegas trio, which also included member Kameelah Williams, released their debut album, No Doubt, in 1996. The set featured a guest appearance by Missy Elliott on first single “Steelo.” Three years later, the group’s smash “Where My Girls At?” (co-written by Elliott) peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 702’s eponymous sophomore set, also released in 1999, peaked at No. 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 34 on the Billboard 200.
702, named after the area code of their Las Vegas hometown, released their final album, Star, in 2003, and parted ways a few years later. The album featured production by the Neptunes and guest features by Clipse and Pharrell Williams.
Following the news of Grinstead’s death, Williams took to social media to share a heartwarming tribute.
“Devastated & heartbroken. I struggled with this post because to me this isn’t real,” she wrote on Instagram. “There’s a lot I want to say, but there’s no way to say what your heart hasn’t fully accepted. It’s hard to acknowledge this is even happening. I know you’re feeling better now and hugging your twin Orish which makes me smile cus I know how much you missed her. You & I have known each other since we were kids and we’ve laughed, cried, celebrated, and everything in between which is why I just don’t want to believe this.”
Elliott also remembered the singer in a touching post on X (formerly Twitter). “Irish May your beautiful soul Rest Peacefully in the arms of the Lord A Multitude of prayers for the entire Grinstead family,” she wrote.
Ed Wright, a trailblazing entertainment industry executive whose multi-faceted career encompassed radio programming, music promotion, artist management and private consulting for film and TV, died of natural causes in Cincinnati on Monday (Sept. 11). Wright, who also played a pivotal role in initiating June as Black Music Month, was 82 years old.
Calling Wright a “mentor, friend, colleague and client,” Grammy-winning producer Don Mizell tells Billboard, “Ed was a smooth, congenial visionary and efficacious navigator at the cutting edge of the momentous advances first instigated by the Black music industry during the ‘70s. His warm and gracious personality, diplomatic style and versatility served the emergent needs of Black music’s growth at a crucial time.” Mizell also noted that Wright engineered his being hired as the first Black executive at Elektra Records when he was appointed GM of the label’s jazz fusion/urban division before later ascending to its VP.
Wright was just 13 years old when he became a part-time announcer at WCIN in Cincinnati, where he was born in 1940. After going full-time at the station in 1958, he later became its news director and production manager. Wright also majored in communications at University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music.
Between 1962-66, Wright served as program director of Cleveland radio station WABQ, where he helped foster today’s modern urban radio format. Also during that period, he became the youngest president of the National Association of Television and Radio Announcers (NATRA), an organization representing Black broadcasters. In the latter half of the decade, Wright segued into the music industry as the head of Liberty Records’ Minit division, whose roster included the O’Jays and Bobby Womack. In addition to managing artist development, production, promotion and sales in coordination with the Liberty branch distribution system, Wright supervised marketing for the Blue Note jazz label.
Wright hung up his own shingle as president of the Edward Windsor Wright Corporation (EWW), focusing on promotion and public relations, from 1969-1976. In addition to Blue Note, the company’s clients included major and independent labels such as CBS Records, A&M, Warner Bros., Capitol, MCA, Stax, United Artists and Philadelphia International as well as ABC Circle Films (Barry Diller) and New World Pictures (Roger Corman). At one time, EWW’s management division boasted a roster ranging from Womack, the O’Jays, Teddy Pendergrass and Herbie Hancock to Natalie Cole, Billy Paul and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Kenneth Gamble of legendary production duo Gamble & Huff, and co-founder of Philadelphia International, first met Wright at a NATRA convention. The pair would later co-found the Black Music Association, out of which arose the declaration of June as Black Music Month.
“Ed was a forward thinker,” Gamble tells Billboard. “There was lack of knowledge and comprehension about the economics of our industry. Ed, along with Clarence Avant, Jules Malamud, Glenda Gracia, Dyana Williams and artists like Earth, Wind & Fire and Stevie Wonder among others, helped advance our culture. Ed was one of the primary leaders who created economic opportunities for Black professionals as well as the establishment of Black Music Month, now in its 44th year.”
Wright’s career resumé includes his establishment of GEI Communications, specializing in market research, consultation and public relations, and the artist management firm Global Entertainment, which launched in 1977. He was also co-owner/president of the Long Beach, Calif., FM station KNAC in the ‘80s and later managed artist Chico DeBarge and the reconstructed group DeBarge featuring Bobby DeBarge.
Former Mercury Records president Ed Eckstein was 19 years old in 1973 and “a green-behind-the-ears music journalist” for Soul magazine when his assigned beat put him in contact with Wright’s firm, EWW.
“Ed and his trusty lieutenant Bob Brock were head and shoulders above all PR firms specializing in representing contemporary R&B artists,” recalls Eckstein in an email to Billboard. “I reflect fondly on that period when I would get a call querying my interest in talking with a young, pre-Teddy Theodore Pendergrass Jr. of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes or in spending a day with the O’Jays’ Eddie Levert. And in spending the better part of an evening in the studio while Epic Records artist Minnie Riperton was finishing her career-defining Perfect Angel album with Stevie Wonder. Ed was a businessman of dignity, class and professionalism who ran a first-class operation and whose mentorship and tutelage fueled my career from its nascent stages through the ensuing decades. Rest well, Ed. You touched many lives with your gentle hand.”
Wright’s survivors include his sister, Bedria Sanders.
Charlie Robison, the Texas singer-songwriter whose rootsy anthems made the country charts until he was forced to retire after complications from a medical procedure left him unable to sing, died on Sunday. He was 59.
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Robison died at a hospital in San Antonio after suffering cardiac arrest and other complications, according to a family representative.
Robison launched his music career in the late 1980s, playing in local Austin bands like Two Hoots and a Holler before forming his own Millionaire Playboys. In 1996, he released his solo debut, Bandera, named for the Texas Hill Country town where his family has had a ranch for generations.
When he was approached by Sony in 1998, Robison signed with its Lucky Dog imprint, which was devoted to rawer country. His 2001 album Step Right Up, which peaked at No. 27 on the Top Country Albums chart, produced the top 40 country song “I Want You Bad.” The single reached No. 35 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
In 2018, Robison announced that he had permanently lost the ability to sing following a surgical procedure on his throat. “Therefore, with a very heavy heart I am officially retiring from the stage and studio,” he wrote on Facebook.
Robison served as a judge for one year on USA Network’s Nashville Star, a reality TV show in which contestants lived together while competing for a country music recording contract.
He is survived by his wife, Kristen Robison, and four children and stepchildren. He had three children with his first wife, Emily Strayer, a founding member of the superstar country band The Chicks. They divorced in 2008.
Memorial services are pending.
Elliot Goldman, the veteran record executive who co-founded Arista Records, led BMG Music as president and CEO, and served in senior roles with Warner and CBS Records across a decorated career in music, has died at the age of 88.
Goldman joined CBS Records in the 1960s, rising to administrative vice president. Later, with Clive Davis, he established Arista Records, serving as executive VP and general manager at the very inception of the storied label.
“Clive and I formed Arista Records in 1973,” he recounted in an interview with Billboard published in 2015. “One of our first releases was from a gentleman you’ve probably heard of: Barry Manilow.”
Later, Goldman took on duties as senior VP at Warner Communications, and, in 1985, was named president and chief executive of RCA/Ariola International. When BMG parent Bertelsmann acquired RCA outright from the General Electric Company, the German media giant restructured the asset into three operating units; BMG Music, BMG Music International and Arista, all part of BMG. Goldman would guide BMG Music as president and CEO, departing in 1987.
”Elliot expertly managed RCA/ Ariola through very difficult corporate transitions and company restructuring,” Michael Dornemann, co-chairman of the Bertelsmann Music Group, remarked on his departure, The New York Times reported.
A graduate of Cornell, where he majored in political science, and of Columbia Law School, Goldman served on the board of directors of the RIAA, and on the board of directors and executive committee of the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Foundation at its inception.
During his lifetime, he also served on the executive council of the T.J. Martell Foundation; was co-chairman of the Home Entertainment Division of UJA/Federation; founding member and president emeritus of the Music for Youth foundation; and a recipient of the AMC Cancer Research Center’s Humanitarian of the Year Award.
Goldman leveraged his considerable major label experience into consultancy work with a string independent and major record company clients throughout the 1990s.
Before entering the music industry, Goldman enjoyed various roles in government, including the position as head of the New York office for the 1964 election campaign of Senator Robert F. Kennedy.
Arista and J Records founder Clive Davis leads tributes to the late executive.
“Elliot Goldman played a substantial role in the history of Arista Records and strongly contributed to its success,” comments Davis in a statement. “He was also a great family man and Jill, Ben and the Goldman children have my deepest sympathy for this irreplaceable loss.”
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jill, his son Ben (Allysa Lawson Goldman), daughters Elizabeth and Cathy and his four grandchildren, Justin Goldman, Dylan Goldman, Sophie Gibbons and Olivia Gibbons.Ben and Justin have both carved out successful careers in music.
Singer Gary Wright, best known for his 1975 soft rock hits “Dream Weaver” and “Love is Alive,” has died at age 80. Wright’s son, Justin, confirmed to Rolling Stone that his father died on Monday at his Palos Verdes Estates home after battling Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia for the past six years.
Justin Wright said he dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s six or seven years ago before also receiving a dementia diagnosis. “He managed it fairly well for a while. But a few years ago, he needed professional help and home-care nurses and eventually 24-hour care,” Justin told RS.
Wright was born on April 26, 1943 in Cresskill, N.J. and began his career as a child actor in shows included Captain Video and His Video Rangers before joining the Broadway cast of Fanny in 1954. After briefly considering medical school, Wright moved to England in the late 1960s, where he co-founded the blues-rock band Spooky Tooth with four English musicians. After three albums with the band, Wright struck out on his own and releasing two solo albums on A&M Records, Extraction (1970) and Footprint (1971) before signing to Warner Bros. Records for what would be his breakthrough third solo effort.
The Dream Weaver, released in the summer of 1975, peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 album charts in April 1976, with the yacht rock classic title track peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. At the time, Wright, who played the Hammond Organ, clavinet, Moog synthesizers, Fender Rhodes and several other keyboards on the album — in addition to arranging and producing the collection — boasted that it was one of the first all-keyboard albums; it also featured drums from session veterans Jim Keltner and Sly and the Family Stone’s Andy Newmark as well as guitar on “Power of Love” from Montrose’s Ronnie Montrose.
The ethereal “Dream Weaver” became one of Wright’s most beloved songs and a frequent go-to Hollywood soundtrack cut in films including Wayne’s World (for which Wright re-recorded the song), Toy Story 3, Ice Age: Collision Course and The People vs. Larry Flynt, as well as the TV series Glee and Superstore. Wright also dipped his toe into film soundtrack composition for the movies Endangered Species (1982) and Fire and Ice (1986).
Following the chart success of The Dream Weaver Wright released a string of solo albums throughout the 1970s and early 1980s to diminishing sales, including 1977’s The Light of Smiles (No. 172 on BB 200) and Touch and Gone (No. 117), 1979’s Headin’ Home (No. 147) and 1981’s The Right Place (No. 79). In addition to “Dream Weaver” and that album’s other silky pop hit, “Love Is Alive” (No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100), Wright’s other singles chart successes included 1976’s “Made to Love You” (No. 79), “Phantom Writer” (1977, No. 43), “Touch and Gone” (1978, No. 73) and 1981’s “Really Wanna Know You” (No. 16).
Wright also played keyboards on late Beatle George Harrison’s 1970 solo triple-disc album All Things Must Pass — cementing a friendship that lasted until Harrison’s death in 2001 — and sat in on sessions for album by everyone from B.B. King to Ringo Starr, Harry Nilsson and Jerry Lee Lewis. He also performed with a reunited Spooky Tooth in the early 2000s, as well as with Starr’s All-Starr Band and continued to release new music as recently as his final solo album, 2010’s Connected.
Over the years, Wright’s compositions also found their way into a number of hip-hop songs, including samples of “Love Is Alive” on songs by Raekwon and 3rd Bass, Spooky Tooth’s “The Mirror” on songs by Fivio Foreign and Atmosphere, “More Than a Heartache” (Nas) and “Heartbeat” (Jay-Z).
Listen to “Dreamweaver” and “Love Is Alive” below.
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Former Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell has died, a representative for the band confirms to Billboard.
Harwell, who performed as lead vocalist for the California pop-rock act until announcing his retirement from the group in 2021, passed away Monday (Sept. 4) at his home in Boise, Idaho, after being in hospice care. He was 56.
“Steve Harwell passed away this morning September 4, 2023 at his home in Boise Idaho. He was surrounded by family and friends and passed peacefully and comfortably,” reads a statement provided by Smash Mouth manager Robert Hayes.
“Steve Harwell was a true American original. A larger than life character who shot up into the sky like a Roman candle. Steve should be remembered for his unwavering focus and impassioned determination to reach the heights of pop stardom. And the fact that he achieved this near-impossible goal with very limited musical experience makes his accomplishments all the more remarkable,” the statement continues.
“And the fact that he achieved this near-impossible goal with very limited musical experience makes his accomplishments all the more remarkable. His only tools were his irrepressible charm and charisma, his fearlessly reckless ambition, and his king-size cajones. Steve lived a 100% full-throttle life. Burning brightly across the universe before burning out. Good night Heevo Veev. Rest in peace knowing you aimed for the stars, and magically hit your target.”
Leading up to his death, Harwell had been placed in resting at home and was being cared for by his fiancé and hospice care. TMZ first wrote of the musician’s current health status earlier on Sunday (Sept. 3), reporting that he’s reached the final stage of liver failure.
Harwell was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle that can makes it hard for the heart to deliver blood to the body, several years ago. Following his initial diagnosis, he suffered from “nonstop serious medical setbacks including heart failure as well as acute Wernicke Encephalopathy,” a condition that greatly impacted his motor functions, including speech and impaired memory, a statement said in 2021.
Harwell shared the news that he was retiring from the “All Star” group due to his ongoing health issues in October 2021.
Harwell’s comment about retiring from Smash Mouth read: “Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a rock star performing in front of sold-out arenas and have been so fortunate to live out that dream. To my bandmates, it’s been an honor performing with you all these years and I can’t think of anyone else I would have rather gone on this wild journey with.”
Smash Mouth formed in 1994 in San Jose, Calif., consisting of members Harwell, guitarist Greg Camp, bassist Paul De Lisle and drummer Kevin Coleman. The band’s first single was 1997’s “Walkin’ on the Sun,” and they landed a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with the earworm “All Star,” which peaked at No. 4 on the chart in 1999.
Astro Lounge, Smash Mouth’s sophomore album that included “All Star,” reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200 albums chart that year. “All Star” was nominated for best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals at the Grammy Awards in 2000, an award that ultimately went to Santana for “Maria Maria.” The song enjoyed new popularity after being featured in the Academy Award-winning animated film Shrek from 2001.
Smash Mouth’s most recent album is 2012’s Magic, though they released an acoustic version of debut set Fush Yu Mang in 2018, following the 20th anniversary of the original recording’s release.
Smash Mouth continues to tour with vocalist Zach Goode, who joined the band in 2022.
Mexican rapper Juan Carlos Sauceda, better known as Lefty SM, was shot dead in Zapopan, Jalisco in Mexico. He was 31 years old.
His record label, Alzada Records, confirmed his death on Sunday morning (Sept. 3).
“Dear Alzada friends and family, with profound sadness we’re informing you about the death of our brother, Lefty SM, Juan Carlos Sauceda,” wrote the label in a brief post on its Instagram account. “Our love and prayers are with his wife María Isabel and their two daughters.”
According to reports, the artist was attacked near his home in the neighborhood of La Cima in Zapopan, very close to Gaudalajara.
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Carlos Félix, PR rep for Alzada Records, confirmed to Billboard Español that Lefty SM was shot twice and declared dead at a local hospital. No additional information was provided.
A formal report from the government of Jalisco is expected during the day.
Just this past Friday, Lefty MS performed at Teatro Metropólitan in Mexico City as a guest of his friend and colleague MC Davo, who was one of the first to publicly comment on his death.
“How is this possible? I can’t believe it, really, I can’t believe it man,” said Davo in tears in a video posted Sunday morning on his Instagram Stories. Later, he posted a photo of both of them together at the beach: “Just a few hours ago we were enjoying life. May God have you in his glory.”
Lefty SM started in music in 1992 in the world of rap and hip-hop in his native San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora. His career took off in 2017 when he launched his YouTube channel and began to gain a reputation in the Mexican urban scene. He collaborated with stars like Santa Fe Klan, with whom he recorded the tracks “Si me caigo”, “Con los ojos rojos” and “Por mi México,” one of his greatest hits. In fact, on Aug. 25, Lefty MS released a remix of “Por mi México” with Mexican rap stars Santa Fe Klan, Dharius, C-Kan, MC Davo and Neto Peña.
“It’s not possible carnal,” wrote Santa Fe Klan wrote on his Instagram, next to a photo of both of them. “Tell me it’s a lieeeeeeeeeee.”
Musicians are mourning the loss of legendary singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, who has died following an undisclosed illness.
Superstar artists like Kenny Chesney, Elton John, Alan Jackson and many others took to social media to honor the “Margaritaville” singer, who passed Friday night (Sept. 1), according to a post on his website. He was 76.
“Jimmy passed away on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,” the statement reads. “He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”
Sitting on a beach in Key West, Fla., Chesney paid tribute to Buffett by singing the first verse and chorus of Buffett’s 1974 track “A Pirate Looks at Forty.” He also shared a video of himself performing “Margaritaville” — which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1977 — alongside the late singer-songwriter.
“So goodbye Jimmy. Thanks for your friendship and the songs I will carry in my heart forever. Sail On Sailor,” the country star captioned the post on Instagram.
Chesney and Buffett teamed up for a remake of Buffett’s “Trying to Reason With Hurricane Season,” which was featured on Chesney’s 2018 album, Songs for the Saints. Chesney also appeared with Buffett on the star-studded track “Hey Good Lookin’,” alongside Jackson, Keith, Clint Black and George Strait. The Hank Williams cover was part of Buffett’s 2004 album, License to Chill.
Jackson took to X (formerly Twitter) to honor Buffett, quoting lyrics from “Boats to Build,” another song he sang with Buffett for License to Chill. The post also featured a snapshot of the pair at the 2003 CMA Awards, where they took home vocal event of the year for “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.”
Keith added on Instagram, “The pirate has passed. RIP Jimmy Buffett. Tremendous influence on so many of us.”
Renowned for his wildly enthusiastic audiences, known as “Parrotheads,” Buffett — a former correspondent for Billboard magazine — charted 13 songs on the Billboard Hot 100. After tallying five top 40 entries in the 1970s, reaching No. 8 with his signature anthem “Margaritaville,” he tallied other hits thanks to turns on Jackson’s “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” (No. 17 in 2003) and Zac Brown Band’s “Knee Deep” (No. 18 in 2011). Buffett also scored 40 entries on the Billboard 200 albums chart during his lengthy career.
In addition to music, Buffett also built a billion-dollar personal fortune with a series of Margaritaville and LandShark Bar & Grill restaurants across the U.S., as well as licensing agreements for Margaritaville tequila, shoes, cruises, pre-packaged food items and an Atlantic City casino.
Below, find more tributes to Buffett:
Elton John via Instagram Story: “Jimmy Buffett was a unique and treasured entertainer. His fans adored him and he never let them down,” he said in an Instagram story. “This is the saddest of news. A lovely man gone way too soon. Condolences to (his wife) Jane and the family from (my husband) David (Furnish) and me.”
Oak Ridge Boys via X: “Rest Easy Jimmy … Thanks for the fun …”
Hillary Clinton via X: “Fair winds and following seas, dear Jimmy.”
Heart broken this morning hearing of Jimmy Buffett’s passing. What an incredible talent and man. His songs will live on forever. I’ll bet most of y’all don’t know that he wrote the theme song for @BarmageddonUSA for me about 2 years ago. Raising a glass today to the Son of a son…— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) September 2, 2023
Sad to hear the world lost Jimmy Buffet last night, but what a great life he lived as he brought so much happiness to the world. I think “Come Monday” is my favorite song of his. He was at his best solo on an acoustic in my opinion:) Love this video👇https://t.co/FEMbKKXjH5— John Rich🇺🇸 (@johnrich) September 2, 2023
Rest in power @jimmybuffett I’m glad we had time to vibe. You were and always will be a Truly inspiring human. 🙏🏾❤️🕊️— LLCOOLJ (@llcoolj) September 2, 2023
Jimmy Buffett’s music brought happiness to millions of people. I’ll always be grateful for his kindness, generosity, and great performances through the years, including at the White House in 2000. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and legion of devoted fans.— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) September 2, 2023