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Musician and Pilot Jimmy Buffett Flies West

Jimmy Buffett, pilot, musician, sailor, and author, passed away on. September 1.

Jimmy Buffett was an avid pilot as well as a musician and sailor. [Courtesy: @jimmybuffett/X]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Jimmy Buffett, the iconic musician known for embodying the "Margaritaville" lifestyle, passed away on September 1st from lymphoma, resulting from advanced skin cancer.
  • Beyond his public persona as a sailor, Buffett was a deeply passionate and accomplished pilot, owning and flying a diverse fleet of aircraft, including his well-known Grumman Albatross, the Hemisphere Dancer.
  • He pursued his aviation dreams after achieving musical success, accumulating nearly 1,500 flight hours and experiencing only one recorded minor seaplane accident.
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Most of the world who sang along with him at concerts knew Jimmy Buffett as a sailor. But those who fly knew him as a fellow pilot who loved the sky almost as much as he loved his Mother Ocean.

James William Buffett died on the evening of September 1, surrounded by “family, friends, music, and dogs,” according to a statement released on social media on Saturday. The cause of death, as reported by TMZ, was lymphoma, as the result of advanced skin cancer. He left behind his wife Jane, two daughters, and one son—and a comprehensive catalog of songs, books, and businesses that embody the “Margaritaville” lifestyle captured by his most famous record, of that title.

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