Jimmy Buffett's Real Name: James William Buffett

Quick answer: The musician was known professionally as Jimmy Buffett. His official obituary, AllMusic, and the Associated Press give the name James William Buffett, place the birth on December 25, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and record his death on September 1, 2023.

Real name and early life

The official Jimmy Buffett obituary identifies him as James William Buffett, places the birth on Christmas, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and says he grew up in Alabama. AllMusic independently gives the same fuller name, the birth date December 25, 1946, in Pascagoula, and says he was raised in Alabama. The Associated Press independently gives the same fuller name and birth date and place, and says he was raised in Mobile, Alabama. The official obituary says he earned a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1969. The Associated Press independently says he graduated from that university in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and went from busking in New Orleans to playing six nights a week at Bourbon Street clubs.

Career highlights

The official obituary says his recording career spanned more than fifty years and included hits such as "Margaritaville," "Come Monday," and "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," and that fans called themselves "Parrot Heads." AllMusic independently dates the album Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, featuring "Margaritaville," to 1977, and also names "Come Monday," "A Pirate Looks at Forty," and "Cheeseburger in Paradise." The Associated Press independently says "Margaritaville" spent 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaked at No. 8, and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2016. AllMusic records earlier albums including Down to Earth (1970) and White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean (1973). The Associated Press independently says he released Down To Earth in 1970 and that "Come Monday," from Living and Dying in 3/4 Time (1974), peaked at No. 30. The official obituary says he had number one best-sellers on both the fiction and non-fiction lists of the New York Times Book Review. The Associated Press independently names the books Where Is Joe Merchant? and A Pirate Looks at Fifty.

Death

The official obituary says he died at his home in Sag Harbor, Long Island, on September 1, 2023, at age 76, and that he had been fighting Merkel cell skin cancer for four years. AllMusic independently gives the same date and place, at age 76. The Associated Press independently reports the same date and age, quoting a statement on his official website.

Name notes for searchers

People looking up Jimmy Buffett or James William Buffett are looking for the same musician, including the later work associated with Margaritaville.