After seeing the incredible line-up of artists, my friend and I decided to spend way too much money on tickets to the Jimmy Buffett tribute concert at the Hollywood Bowl. In Jimmy’s words, “It’s important to have as much fun as possible while we’re here. It balances out the times when the minefield of life explodes.”
The pirates & parrot heads showed up with margaritas in hand and spirits high ready to party one more time with our friend, Jimmy.
The warning that the show was about to start was the classic “Hot, Hot, Hot!” blasting on the sound system which is typical of a Buffett concert, then “Working ‘n’ Playing” while we watched a composite video of Jimmy over the years doing all the things he did — fishing, surfing, sailing, drinking, performing, and always smiling. The show hadn’t even started and I was already crying happy tears. True, Jimmy was gone, but somehow he was right there with us.
The first performance was the Coral Reefer Band led by Mac McAnally with Scotty Emerick (newest band member), “It’s 5 o’clock Somewhere!” Mac, well-known as a longtime member of the band, close friend and collaborator of Jimmy’s, was the master of ceremony.
Next was Jake Owen with “Grapefruit, Juicy Fruit,” one of Jimmy’s flying songs. (Fun fact: Jimmy had a pilot’s license before he had a driver’s license.) Hope you can picture it — the entire concert was basically a sing-along.
The Coral Reefer Band kept it going with Scotty on lead vocals to “Pencil Thin Mustache.” There were no strangers at the show. We were all friends invited by our mutual friends, Jimmy Buffett and Paul McCartney. The photo below is the guy sitting next to me. He had been there since the gates opened and got to hear Paul McCartney and others at sound check. During that time, I was sitting in traffic for two and a half hours but, no worries, nothing could bring my energy down and, fortunately, we started out with excess time, just in case.
Every person taking the stage had a sweet, funny, or amazing story about an experience with Jimmy that showed his adventurous and kind personality. Lots of quips about following Jimmy into questionable situations with impaired decision-making. In his words, “One of the inescapable encumbrances of leading an interesting life is that there have to be moments when you almost lose it.” I agree. If you want to know how far you can go, you need to go until you start to fall; maybe not flat on your face, but it’s alright if you do.
Woody Harrelson opened with, “So, one time Jimmy and I were smoking a joint on the roof of the Vatican … That’s not true, of course, but wouldn’t it be a great story? . . . There are a lot of other great stories that are true but, unfortunately, someone robbed my memory bank.” Then he made fun of how Jimmy turned a flip flop wearing, partying, laid-back lifestyle into a mega business of restaurants, resorts and old-folks homes. It’s the magic of Jimmy Buffett — super casual while seriously striving toward lofty goals.
Next up, Kenny Chesney with “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” and a duet with Mac, “Back Where I Come From.” This is a song Kenny wrote and recorded but Jimmy also played it both alone and with Kenny. The slides providing the backdrop were just perfect.
Dolly Parton (via video) gave a short, sweet tribute of memories and appreciation, like a send-off.
Next, Angelique Kidjo performed “One Particular Harbor” that Jimmy wrote about Cooks Bay in Moorea, Tahiti. So beautiful in every regard — her voice, the song, the images, and the dreams.
A video of Jimmy flying his plane and needing an emergency landing played then the Indiana Jones soundtrack kicked in and out walked Harrison Ford! He strolled up to the mike and said, “Jimmy Buffett was a coooool guy!” then he told a story about having a boozy lunch with Jimmy and Ed Bradley on Ed’s birthday back when Harrison was 40. He noticed that both of them had an earring so right after lunch Harrison got his ear pierced. “That’s how infectious Jimmy’s coolness was. Enough to make a 40-year old man spontaneously pierce his f###ing ear!” Pretty sure Harrison was way drunk but so were a lot of people, maybe most. Harrison introduced the next act …
Zac Brown singing his new tribute song, “Pirates & Parrots” (first time ever performed live and scheduled to be released later in the month). “Another dollar on the wall, another poet with a pen, another beach bum with a dog, another stranger sailin’ in, and the water’s just as blue, no, you haven’t missed a thing, but we’re all here missin’ you. All the pirates and the parrots sing. So adios, my friend Anchor where that ocean ends, we’ll pick up where you left off strummin’ on a sailor song we’ll hold down this salty rock where it’s always 5 o’clock. When the sun goes down, we raise our drinks — All the pirates and the parrots sing … adios, my friend” We were all singing and crying when he broke into the next song, “Knee Deep” a Zac Brown song recorded featuring Jimmy Buffett. In between songs he took off his shoes and long pants for the perfect beach transition.
Eric Church met Jimmy 7 years ago and said they often took morning hikes, afternoon lunches with wine and evenings with tequila until there wasn’t any more tequila. He said Jimmy loved life more than anyone he’d ever met. While hiking they talked about music, songwriting, life and death. Jimmy told him that people like them never really die because their songs live on forever. Then Eric proved it by doing a great version of “Son of a Son of a Sailor.”
Pat Reilly basketball coach and president of Miami Heat shared memories (via video).
Next performer, Timothy B. Schmidt, told a fun story about how it was 1984 and the Eagles had broken up when he ran into Jimmy at an afternoon party in Hollywood. Jimmy asked him what he was doing over the summer then invited him to play bass and tour with the Coral Reefer Band which he did for the next 3 years. Fun Fact: Timothy is the person who coined the phrase “parrot heads.” He did a great version of “Volcano.”
Jane Fonda shared memories; she claimed to be the one who actually smoked a bowl with Jimmy at the Vatican and she talked about Jimmy’s ability to spread happiness everywhere he went. Most all the celebrities and guest performers were surprises. There would be a collective gasp each time someone famous walked out to share and party with us.
Brandi Carlisle, one of the greatest female vocalists of our day, sang “Tin Cup Chalice” and “Come Monday.” She talked about how she and Jimmy were fishing buddies and would share fishing stories. One day he called her and said he met some lesbians who wanted to go fishing so he gave them her phone number. Haha, so Jimmy — un-PC yet so real and so lovable.
James Taylor (via video from Australia) made sweet send-off comments for his friend, Jimmy.
Coral Reefer Band picked up the mood with “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” Mac said, “You know exactly what Jimmy would be doing if he was here. He’d be bouncing up and down on a giant, inflatable cheeseburger!”
Will Arnett shared memories of staying with Jimmy & Jane and their kids in the Caribbean. He said one time Jimmy was on his way to get qualified for landing at St. Barth’s airport and invited to come along as he made 30 practice landings at the very challenging strip. Will was ready to go when Jane reminded him that Jimmy had crashed his plane 3 times so he backed out.
Jackson Browne came out next with “He Went to Paris” (everyone was in tears). This song is well-known as Bob Dylan’s favorite Jimmy Buffett song. “Some of it’s magic, some of it’s tragic, but it’s been a good life all the way.” I’ve watched this about a dozen times and I cry every time.
Caroline Jones and the Coral Reefer Band performed “Bubbles Up” — one of Jimmy’s newer songs that says when your life isn’t going well and you don’t know which was to go, follow the bubbles because they always go up. The phrases “bubbles up” and “fins up” were spoken all night.
Alan Jackson — (via video) I understand he’s in very poor health and hated not being able to attend in person.
JD Souther played “Southern Cross.” Mac specifically ask JD Souther to sing this song. Jimmy didn’t write it but it’s one that he frequently played in concert and loved along with his other sailing songs. With both JD and Jackson telling stories about living in the canyon back in the 70s it made me wonder if Linda Rondstat was in the audience. I’m sure there were lots of celebrities mixed in with the parrot heads.
Coral Reefer Band got everyone singing again with “Why Don’t We Get Drunk.”
Snoop Dogg came out with “Gin and Juice,” accompanied by the Coral Reefer Band. Snoop laughed and said, “You know it was ME! I was the one smoking with Jimmy.”
Mac introduced the next performer saying he’s a great human being; he loves him, Jimmy loved him, and if you don’t already, you’re about to love him. He could be only half as good and still be the greatest ever at his instrument. Jake Shimabukuro, came out so humble and gracious. His connection to Jimmy started when was he was booked to play the parking lot of a surf shop and Mac heard him then told Jimmy who invited him to his show that night and asked him to come up on stage. It was his big break. Jake was visibly very emotional. He spoke a Hawaiian phrase from his grandmother meaning, “I am who I am because of you.” Then looked up and said, “I love you, Jimmy. You’ll have to help me with this.” The instrumental “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” played expertly on his ukulele was beautiful and powerful making me feel such love for him, Jimmy, and, of course, George Harrison.
John McEnroe shared memories. “Jimmy came up to me and said, I just talked to my Uncle Warren, and, I don’t know about you but he had me fooled into thinking they were related because they’re both so smart so I was expecting investment advice but instead he gave me tennis advice. He came to a couple of my matches and said, “Relax man! You’re too f***ing wound up! And, of course, he was right.”
Pittbull and his fabulous back-up dancers started with “Don’t Stop the Party” then Jon Bon Jovi joined him on “Thank God for Jimmy Buffett.” Pitbull said he had been working on this song for years and actually played it for Jimmy who loved it.
Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann shared memories and claimed to be the ones who got high with Jimmy in the south of Italy. Then they introduced the next performer …
Sheryl Crowe said Jimmy hired her in 1989 to sing back-up on “Off To See the Lizard” when she was absolutely a nobody. She flew in to Miami on a small commuter jet and there was a bomb scare. The plane landed on a foamed runway and the FBI showed up. Jimmy would forevermore say, “This girl knows how to show up to a party!” Sheryl was looking fine as she tenderly said, “He is for me the most beautiful illustration of what it means to be alive and awake and absolutely present in every moment.” Then she had us put our hands up in the shark symbol and said she’s sure Jimmy is looking down laughing his a** off. We all sang “Fins” along with Sheryl Crowe.
Kelly Slater (professional surfer) shared memories via video. He talked about great times spent together and once when he couldn’t go surfing Jimmy reminded him of the importance of making time for what you love and not putting it off.
Jack Johnson — “A Pirate Looks at 40” (lots of tears; beautiful song sung perfectly). He told a funny story about how Jimmy showed up at his house and was mistaken for the plumber. Rather than correct the nanny, Jimmy took a look at the broken toilet and told her, “I didn’t bring my tools but I can come back tomorrow.”
Zach Brown with David Grohl on drums performed “My Brown-eyed Girl.” Dave was chewing gum and grinning the whole time. Like everyone, he seemed so very happy to be a part of this party.
Dave Matthews (via video) opened with “Lovely Cruise.” Back in 2005 Jimmy & Dave performed together at Madison Square Garden in a concert for New Orleans and Dave often plays “A Pirate Looks at 40” but this night he closed with one of my favorite Buffett songs, “School Boy Heart” while we watched videos of Jimmy. “I got a school boy heart, a novelist eye, stout sailor’s legs and a license to fly. I came with nomad feet and some wandering toes that light up my longboard and hang off the nose.”
Don Johnson (actor and Jimmy’s brother-in-law; Jane’s brother) shared sweet stories about hanging with Jimmy and family and what an amazing cook he was.
The Eagles played three songs, “Boys of Summer” (Don Henley on vocals), “Take It To the Limit” (Vince Gill on vocals) and “In the City” (Joe Walsh on vocals). Before you get upset that they played their own songs instead of Buffett songs, remember that all performers and all songs were chosen by Jane (and Jimmy) and they had special meaning. David Grohl came back out to introduce the last performer and said one of Jimmy’s many dreams to come true was to share the stage with his idol. Welcome to the stage … Sir Paul McCartney!
Paul gave us a magical version of “Let It Be.” He said in Jimmy’s last week of life, Janie invited him to come to their home and sing some songs for him. One of the songs he sang was “Let it Be.” According to Paul, Jimmy was pretty bad off but still had a twinkle in his eyes. He shared a sweet story of one time when he was on holiday with Jimmy and didn’t have a guitar so Jimmy had one of his strung left-handed and loaned it to him. Later, Jimmy had a special guitar hand-made for Paul. So many stories of consideration, generosity and kindness, even when it wasn’t expected.
The entire group came out for the closing — “Margaritaville.” Paul McCartney had a margarita in hand and held it up to the sky for a toast to Jimmy. So much happiness, so many tears. No one left early. Everyone stayed to the last note of the last song and I think we all left with a full heart. There was no encore nor was one expected; this wasn’t a typical concert. It was a party more than a concert.
Great thanks goes to Jane Buffett, Jimmy’s wife of 26 years, his three children, Savannah, Cameron and Delaney, and Mac McAnally for putting together this wonderful tribute. We were told many times that Jane and Mac were responsible for the line-up, song selections, and every detail. YouTube has a lot of clips that people took. No one seems to know if there will be a documentary or professional video but we’re all hoping so.
Jimmy branded a lifestyle and built a billion dollar empire on it — flip flops, margaritas, music, bars, boats, surfing, and flying. A self-proclaimed dreamer, he wrote and sang about it with honesty and humor. Such a full life. Each celebrity and musician reminisced about fun days with Jimmy and his generous spirit. Thank you, Jimmy. We’ll keep the party going.
Santa Monica sunset the night before flying back to Virginia Beach
“Alone on a midnight passage
I can count the falling stars
While the Southern Cross and the satellites
They remind me of where we are
Spinning around in circles
Living it day to day
And still 24 hours maybe 60 good years
It’s really not that long a stay” Jimmy Buffett, “Cowboy in the Jungle”
Kathryn Byler, blog 