Jimmy Buffett, the singer-songwriter who built a lucrative lifestyle empire based on beach-bum anthems like “Margaritaville” and “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere,” canceled a show scheduled for Saturday in Charleston, SC, after he had been hospitalized for an unknown illness.
Buffett, 76, said in a statement Thursday that he had a “sudden change of plans” this week after returning from a trip to the Bahamas.
“I had to stop in Boston for a checkup but ended up back in the hospital dealing with some issues that needed immediate attention,” he said. “Growing old isn’t for the faint hearted, I promise you.”
Mr Buffett said he would perform again when he is “good enough”.
A representative for Mr. Buffett did not immediately respond to a request for comment about his condition.
It was unclear Friday how long Mr. Buffett would refrain from performing. There were no events on his tour page that Parrotheads, like Mr. Calling himself Buffett told to “stay tuned” for upcoming show announcements.
Nick Pezzorello, the president of a Charleston-based Jimmy Buffett fan club, said the Lowcountry Parrothead Club wished Mr. Buffett a “speedy recovery” so that his fans can “enjoy and celebrate his music and lifestyle for many years to come.” ”
“We will eagerly await his return to the Holy City,” Mr. Pezzorello said, referring to Charleston.
It was the second time in seven months that Mr. Buffett had to reschedule shows because of his health. Citing “health problems and brief hospitalization,” Mr. Buffett five shows in September that were scheduled in Las Vegas, San Diego, Salt Lake City and Nampa, Idaho, in October.
“On doctor’s orders, he must take this time to recover and heal,” according to an announcement on Mr. buffet in September.
Mr. Buffett was soon back on the road, performing monthly since February. He moved and played two shows in Las Vegas in March and one in San Diego in early May. He also played in Key West, Florida and Phoenix.
Last month, his hit “Margaritaville” from the 1977 album “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” was one of 25 recordings added to the National Recording Registry.
The registry, which is part of the Library of Congress, designates recordings that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and “worth preserving forever.”
When “Margaritaville” was released, the song stayed on the charts for months, scoring “with pop and country audiences alike, as well as teens and adults,” the Library of Congress said in a statement in April.
The song celebrates a life of sunny free time and frozen drinks, from the opening lines, “nibbling on sponge cake, watching the sun bake,” to the earwig’s chorus, “wasting away in Margaritaville, searching for my lost shaker of salt.”
“Today, the lyrics are as remembered as any other song in history,” said the Library of Congress, adding that the song “is as well-known and ubiquitous as ever — a fixture of bars, beach parties, karaoke, and everywhere.” cool vibes. needed.”