Jimmy Buffett died after a four-year fight with a rare form of skin cancer, his website says
SAG HARBOR - Jimmy Buffett, whose sun-drenched songs celebrated life by the shore, died of a rare, aggressive skin cancer, according to a statement on his website.
Buffett, 76, had Merkel cell cancer, according to the statement, which was posted after initial news of his death emerged Saturday. The statement also disclosed where the "Margaritaville" singer died: at his home in Sag Harbor, New York, near the Hamptons.
He had been fighting the cancer for four years while continuing to perform, the last time making a surprise appearance in Rhode Island in early July, the statement said.
Key West residents and visitors gathered to pay tribute Sunday to the late musician with a second-line procession.
About 2,500 people gathered for the "It's 5 o'clock in Key West" procession which began shortly after 5 p.m. on the island's Duval Street to honor Buffett, a longtime island resident.
Merkel cell carcinoma, as it's known in medical literature, is very rare and tends to spread quickly, including to parts of the body beyond the skin, according to the federal National Cancer Institute and the Mayo Clinic. Risk factors include a lot of sun exposure, a weakened immune system, a history of other cancers, and being light-skinned and over 50.
Buffett conjured an easygoing, sand-between-the-toes lifestyle in songs such as "Cheeseburger in Paradise," "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" and "Margaritaville." He built the latter into a brand that encompassed restaurants, clothing, casinos, and more.
According to Forbes, Buffett's net worth was over a billion dollars, and his concerts have reportedly grossed more than a million dollars a night.
Buffett continued to tour until 2023.
His last tour date, listed on his website, is a performance in San Francisco on May 6, 2023. About two weeks later, he canceled upcoming late May tour dates in South Carolina. At the time, Buffett said he was hospitalized for "some issues that needed immediate attention."