Let's Remember The Time Jimmy Buffett Really Bummed Out A Bunch Of Republicans
They thought he was one of them. He wasn't. RIP.
Look, I admittedly know very little about Jimmy Buffett, and everything I do know comes largely from the time my sister and I found ourselves in a really weird store in Florida with a bunch of stuffed parrots in it. Like, plushies, not taxidermy. Though would I put a taxidermy parrot store past Florida? No, I would not.
But that is neither here nor there. Jimmy Buffett has passed away at the age of 76, after writing many songs about tropical locales, food and cocktails, none of which, it turns out, are that song about liking piña coladas and getting caught in the rain. He was also quite the environmentalist, having started his Save The Manatee org all the way back in 1981. What a nice thing to do!
Your present this weekend is a flashback to 2018, when he really pissed off some Republicans who didn’t know he leaned left by coming out in support of Andrew Gillum’s gubernatorial campaign in Florida, tweaking two of his hits to take digs at the Right. He changed the lyrics of Margaritaville to say “Some people say that there’s a red tide to blame, but I know that it’s all Rick Scott’s fault,” and a song called “Come Monday” to “Come Tuesday, things will change. Come Tuesday, we’re making a change. It’s been two insane years and it’s time to really switch gears.”
His fan base was not happy! About that, or about a nice picture he took with Norman Lear and dared to post on his Facebook.
Choice quotes from Facebook and Twitter include:
He too is a wash out. Don't give a rats arse about this turn coat. Never was as important as he thinks he is I. M. H. O.
Now that you have made millions from true hard working Americans, this is the tune you play now? Thanks for being clueless.
I feel bad for Jimmy Buffett. He must be forced to do this.
Why the hell are you giving the left airtime bashing trump?
Jimmy!! No one wants to hear your political agenda! They want to hear your music! Your pissing off the people who made you Millions upon Millions. Not good for Business.... I’ve listened to your music and have been a fan for 20 plus years, I’ve bought your merchandise, liquor, paid for concerts etc. But i won’t any longer! Adios Jimmy!!
Smoke one and chill, Jimmy. {It's never a good idea to intentionally provoke a sizeable part of your fan base.} It's a good thing you don't need money, because you won't ever see any from me.
It truly is amazing how they are surprised literally every time a musician turns out to be liberal. Still, that was a nice thing he did there, and also a nice thing he did for the manatees.
I am also giving you an extra present this week — as those of you who follow me on social media may know, I went to the Minnesota State Fair this week to see the Llama Costume Contest! It’s basically my superbowl.
Here is a very good and normal video of one of the winning contestants!
Also, here is a picture of crop art Angela Lansbury …
And scarecrow Angela Lansburys …
Sadly there were no llamas dressed as Angela Lansbury, but there was some very cool anti-NRA crop art.
And for good measure, here is a picture of me with the butter sculpture of a Miss Kay of the Milky Way pageant finalist. What is that, you ask? It is a beauty pageant for girls who live on dairy farms or are otherwise familially involved in the dairy business, and the big prize is that the winner and all of the finalists get their heads carved in butter.
ETA: More pictures, because why not!
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Talk amongst yourselves!
I was told I should repost this here from the other thread:
I met Jimmy Buffett at Caesar's Palace in Lake Tahoe in 1981 while on a family vacation, they were playing a week at Caesar's. I was 18. I remember landing in Reno and Pres. Reagan fired all the air traffic controllers that day...but I digress.
For the next 12-15 years I had become good friends with Jimmy & the people around him, Ross Ritto, owner of Sound Image in San Diego who did all the live tour audio, RIP Ross, all the band members and crew, and I had a little fling with Fingers Taylor for awhile much later on. I feel so blessed to have been able to go to any Buffett concert anywhere and have VIP backstage passes. They loved me and whichever gal pal I brought along because we just treated them as regular people and they were so grateful for that. We were young, sweet midwestern gals with good manners, yet still knew how to party!
I remember when I was in college, taking photography classes and at one of the shows I asked Jimmy if I could take photos from my perch at the soundboard. He said, "Thank you for asking!" "Take all you want just don't use a flash". That helped me learn to master low light shooting. Thanks Jimmy!
In 1988 I moved to Key West for about 5 years and got to see Jimmy from time to time down there. As the years rolled on I saw them less and everyone went their separate ways.
I will always be grateful for those years in my youth when I was able to live so large and be a part of all that. And this was BEFORE all that Parrot Head stuff. So many memories, so many of them hilarious. Everyone in Jimmy's organization were good people, real people, nice people, and I will always treasure those memories and consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world. Rest is Peace Jimmy.
You may not believe me, and you don't have to, but the Fins to left, Fins to right audience dance was started by me and my friend Dara at the Palace Theater inn Louisville KY in 1982.
The World gets lonelier and lonelier these days as so many I know either personally or by their artistry that inspired me & brought joy to so many, pass on to the next world.
Thanks for listening to my Ted Talk.
Here's all my Jimmy Buffett stories in reverse chronological order:
1) Someone broke into our car once and stole all of the audio cassettes, except my husband's Buffett collection.
B) Mr. O, who was a huge fan, found out about a video shoot with Buffett at his home in Key West. He signed on for it and had a blast, never did get paid which pissed me off. I think he really did it gratis and didn't want to tell me.
III) When I was working at CNN, Ted Turner threw a huge birthday party for Jacques Cousteau at Mt. Vernon. For whatever reason, I was invited. They transported the guests from DC to Mt. Vernon by boat, which was nice. When we got there, Mr. O and I were roaming the grounds for a bit and saw someone sitting on a rock. As we walked past, I said to Mr. O, isn't that somebody famous? He looked back, did a double take and ran over to Jimmy Buffett, stuck out his hand and introduced himself. We all had a nice chat. Buffett was really charming. That was how Mr. O got the gig in item B.