By The Nightlife Blogger, PubClub.com
One year after it happened, I am still trying to reason with Jimmy Buffett’s death.
In fact, I’m still somewhat in denial about it. Some Labor Day Weekend show.
I almost refuse to believe that the person who has kept me entertained all these years, who led me to organize party buses to concerts with the unmatchable tailgate parties, who has provided the soundtrack to much of my life, who could still write incredible songs like “Bubbles Up” and “University of Bourbon Street” while ailing, is gone.
Because of Jimmy Buffett, a lot of my life has been like a tire swing. A world with a lot of boat drinks and cheeseburgers in paradise. Changes in attitudes when I change latitudes. A carnival world where it’s 5 o’clock somewhere. Margaritaville? Of course!
I can still see him smiling, laughing with the crowd and playing barefoot on stage during his shows. I went to more than 60 of them, mainly because of the tailgate parties. I got close enough to shake his hand one time and was also in the very back on the lawn at Irvine Meadows. I was at his final concert in San Diego.
I always thought that if somehow it all ended tomorrow, I could adjust to the change. But that’s been far easier said than done. To be honest, I never thought it would actually end.
All that I – and my fellow Parrrotheads – have now are things like Jimmy Buffett Day and what is sure to be an annual Jimmy Buffett Labor Day Weekend gathering in Key West, music from Radio Margaritaville and Radio Trop Rock and, when we can find them playing locally, Jimmy Buffett tribute bands.
As well as a slew of memories.
I’ll keep the party going on this end, but it won’t quite be the same without the leader, Jimmy Buffett.
The Nightlife Blogger travels the world to write about the people, places and things he sees in bars and at events for PubClub.com.
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