Music history was made by Jimmy Buffett‘s enduring tropical rock music and iconic beach bum style – and the entire industry mourned when Buffett died suddenly in September at the age of 76. Buffett had just been touring with his group, the Coral Reefer Band, before he passed, so what will they do after his death?
Buffett was hospitalized back in May to “address some issues that needed immediate attention.” At this time, he rescheduled tour dates for the group’s 2023 Second Wind Tour. By August, Buffett entered hospice care and had a final meeting with family and loved ones. Buffett also had time to deliver one resounding message to his band and friends: “keep the party going.”
The Coral Reefer Band will keep touring, following Jimmy Buffett’s wishes
Before his passing, Buffett left the Coral Reefer Band with the message to “keep the party going” even when he was no longer around. In the spirit of Buffett’s wishes for the band and the legion of fans who were so touched by their music, the group will continue to tour.
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“The Coral Reefer Band is second family to all of us,” said Coral Reefer Mac McAnally, speaking with Billboard. We are a family. And Jimmy wants us to continue and we want to continue.” By time of writing, the logistics remain to be determined, but McAnally added that the band will figure out the most logical way of proceeding from here.
Buffett wanted everyone to carry the party with them
Back in 2020, Buffett reflected on his legacy and how he wanted fans to remember him. Even then, his mind was on maintaining the relaxed beach bum contentedness he’d made into a cultural phenomenon with his music.
“I’d say ‘He had a good time and made a lot of people happy’ would be good,” he told Rolling Stone. “Yeah, that’d be good.”
Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band is now in the process of figuring out how to continue that mission “in a way that is worthy of the legacy that we’re part of.”
“We’re going to figure it out and we’re going to do something,” said McAnally. “Whatever the best equation arrives from those discussions is what we’re going to do. I can’t wait until we [figure it out] because we miss being out there, playing his songs to people and feeling that alternating current go back and forth from the stage to the crowd. I don’t know who’s got more energy, them or us.”
