Jimmy Buffett was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, to James Delaney 'J.D.' Buffett, Jr. and Mary Loriane. He would later grow up in Mobile, Alabama.

Buffett attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he took up the guitar. After college, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue a career as a country singer. He worked as a journalist for Billboard magazine and played with a cover band called The Now Generation.

Buffett landed his first record contract and released his folk-country debut, Down to Earth, followed by High Cumberland Jubilee, both of which went largely unnoticed.

Buffett moved to Key West, Florida, where he adopted his trademark beachcombing persona. This move significantly influenced his music and lifestyle.

Buffett signed a contract with ABC-Dunhill and released White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean, which included instant party hits like 'Why Don’t We Get Drunk.' This album gained him a loyal following.

Buffett's sixth album, Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, featured the enduring party standard 'Margaritaville.' This song became his only Top 10 song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and entered the National Recording Registry.

Buffett's follow-up album, Son of a Son of a Sailor, featured another classic track, 'Cheeseburger in Paradise.' This album also went platinum within a year of release.

Margaritaville Records produced two of Buffett's best-selling albums: Fruitcakes (1994) and Banana Wind (1996). These albums further solidified his success.

Buffett collaborated with other big-name country artists, leading to hits like 'It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere' with Alan Jackson and 'Hey Good Lookin’' featuring Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, and George Strait. These collaborations earned him CMA Awards and Grammy nominations.

Jimmy Buffett passed away at the age of 76, leaving behind a legacy of music, business ventures, and a devoted fan base known as 'Parrotheads.'