Jimmy Buffett honored with second-line parade in Key West Sunday: 'Rest in paradise'
KEY WEST, Fla. -- Key West residents and visitors gathered to pay tribute Sunday to the late musician Jimmy Buffett with a second-line procession Sunday evening.
About 2,500 people gathered for the "It's 5 o'clock in Key West" second-line procession which began shortly after 5 p.m. on the island's Duval Street to honor Buffett, a longtime island resident who died early Saturday. He was 76.
According to reports, Buffett passed away Sept. 1 at his home in Sag Harbor, Long Island while surrounded by family and friends. He had waged a four-year battle with skin cancer, according to reports.
His death was announced in a statement posted on his website and social media channels early Saturday,
"Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs," the statement said. "He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many."
Key West honors Jimmy Buffett
It took organizers a day to stage the second-line march, which drew a crowd of revelers and mourners to the Margaritaville restaurant and bar.
When they arrived in front of Margaritaville in Key West, the group began singing Buffett's hit song, many of them decked out in colorful costumes and floral printed clothes.
There were several dogs spotted in the crowd also wearing flowers around their necks.
Others carried signs with the word "salt" on them and other signs were printed with "Rest in Paradise."
While fans are mourning, they're celebrating his life and legacy.
"Bringing stories to life in music, in energy and love and family. We're just so grateful to everything he's been to everyone, especially us Floridians, we Floridians, especially here in Margaritaville," said one woman.
"Jimmy Buffet is always and forever connected with Key West, it's a wonderful experience to be down here, God Bless Jimmy Buffett," said another fan.
One woman said she was a songwriter and made the decision to pursue a songwriting career in part because of Buffett's own courage.
"I'm crying tears of tequila," said the woman wearing colorful feathers on her back.
Buffett only ever had one pop hit, "Margaritaville," but his music earned him generations of devoted fans and led to a business empire that made him one of America's wealthiest celebrities.
The crowd chanted "salt" and "rest in paradise" after arriving to the restaurant.
Buffett spent decades touring after the success of "Margaritaville," and he used the commercial clout and the support of his rabid "Parrotheads," or fans, to merchandise his music, open a chain of Margaritaville resorts and restaurants, and launch a lifestyle brand.
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 cancelled upcoming late May tour dates in South Carolina. At the time, Buffett said he was hospitalized for "some issues that needed immediate attention."