Jimmy Buffett Remembered on Second Anniversary of His Passing

KEY WEST, Fla., September 1, 2025 (AP) - Today marks the two-year anniversary of the death of singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, the tropical troubadour whose laid-back anthems and island escapism left an enduring imprint on American pop culture. Buffett, who died on September 1, 2023, after a battle with Merkel-cell carcinoma, is being commemorated across media and amid festivities in the Keys.

In Key West, the annual “Just a Few Friends” festival culminates today with a Second Line Memorial Parade down Duval Street, followed by a free “Party in the Park” concert at Truman Waterfront Park. Performers include Howard Livingston & the Mile Marker 24 Band and former Coral Reefer Band vocalist Nadirah Shakoor, joined by longtime collaborators in a celebration of Buffett’s life and music.

National outlets are also honoring Buffett’s legacy. American Songwriter published a retrospective this morning highlighting his rise from Nashville journalist to chart-topping artist, his breakthrough hit “Margaritaville,” and his creation of a global lifestyle brand that included restaurants, resorts, and the Cheeseburger in Paradise chain.

“Two years on, Buffett’s music continues to offer a sonic island vacation for millions,” the article notes, emphasizing his influence on the “Parrothead” fan community and his pioneering of the trop-rock genre-a fusion of country, rock, and Caribbean sounds that became his signature.

Across Key West, guided tours retrace Buffett’s favorite haunts, while book signings and panel discussions explore the stories behind his classic songs. The festival’s proceeds benefit local causes, including Reef Relief and the Bahama Village Music Program, reflecting Buffett’s enduring commitment to his adopted island home.

As sunset falls on Labor Day Weekend, fans from around the world raise their glasses and sing “Fins Up” in tribute to an artist who turned every day into a tropical getaway and whose legacy of island escapism lives on.