Jimmy Buffett made headlines in Florida. What he did, what he said, how we reacted

Jeff Kleinman

He was a singer. He ran a business empire.

He owned a baseball team. He produced a movie, wrote books, consulted on theater musicals.

Jimmy Buffett died Sept. 1, 2023.

The Miami Herald’s review of Jimmy Buffett’s three-night gig at the Gusman Cultural Center (now Olympia) in downtown Miami that happened Aug. 14-16, 1978. These shows were taped and formed much of the material featured on that 1978 Christmas-season release of the classic two-disc live album: “You Had to Be There.”
The Miami Herald’s review of Jimmy Buffett’s three-night gig at the Gusman Cultural Center (now Olympia) in downtown Miami that happened Aug. 14-16, 1978. These shows were taped and formed much of the material featured on that 1978 Christmas-season release of the classic two-disc live album: “You Had to Be There.”

Here are some of the recent Miami Herald headlines and stories about Buffett, including his look back at 50 years of the Key West music scene, where he got his start.

Jimmy Buffett with a manatee.
Jimmy Buffett with a manatee.



BUSINESS

It’s Jimmy Buffett Inc. Here’s a look at the singer’s empire in resorts and cheeseburgers

In this file photo from March 28, 2014, Michael Smith (center, with guitar) began the tribute portion of a Flick reunion concert at what is now Titanic Restaurant & Brewery at 5813 Ponce de Leon Blvd., in Coral Gables. The Flick was a 1960s, early-1970s coffeehouse where soon-to-be icons Joni Mitchell, David Crosby, Jimmy Buffett and Tim Buckley performed. Pictured (l-r): Chuck Mitchell, Barbara Barrow, Smith and Coconut Grove folk singer Bobby Ingram.

MUSIC

Jimmy Buffett is doing his first in-person concerts since COVID. And Florida’s got him

Jimmy Buffett’s big song is in the Library of Congress? He reveals where he wrote it

Think you’re a true Jimmy Buffett Parrot Head? Take our quiz and see how much you know

THE FLORIDA KEYS

‘The longevity of mischief.’ Jimmy Buffett looks at 50 years after his first Key West gig

THE OCEAN

Why was a Florida sea creature named for singer Jimmy Buffett? Researchers have a reason

The Miami Herald staff photo that ran to accompany a review of Jimmy Buffett’s concerts at the Gusman theater in downtown Miami on Aug. 14-16, 1978. These concerts were recorded and form much of that 1978 Christmas-season’s classic live double-album release of Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band’s “You Had to Be There.”
The Miami Herald staff photo that ran to accompany a review of Jimmy Buffett’s concerts at the Gusman theater in downtown Miami on Aug. 14-16, 1978. These concerts were recorded and form much of that 1978 Christmas-season’s classic live double-album release of Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band’s “You Had to Be There.”

TRIBUTES

How Jimmy Buffett found his vibe in the Keys, and why Florida will miss his presence

Jimmy Buffett dies at 76. Singer turned Key West lifestyle into a business empire

Florida owes you one, Jimmy Buffett. Hope you find that lost shaker of salt

If you grew up in South Florida, Jimmy Buffett was the soundtrack of your life

Author Tom Corcoran, first mate to his Key West pal Jimmy Buffett, dies at 79 in Florida

Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band perform “Fins” during their concert at the iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, Florida on Thursday, December 9, 2021. A team of scientists from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School named a new species of a member of a group of crustaceans, gnathiid isopods, the Gnathia jimmybuffetti after the singer-songwriter.

PHOTO ALBUM

See Jimmy Buffett through the years: Early photos of concerts and appearances in Florida

VIDEO COLLECTION

Watch what Jimmy Buffett said about Key West in one of his final video interviews

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