Jimmy Buffett
American singer-songwriter, author, and entrepreneur best known for his 'tropical rock' music and the song 'Margaritaville'; wrote novels and memoirs and developed the Margaritaville brand.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. The Jolly Mon
The Jolly Mon is a children's picture book written by Jimmy Buffett and Savannah Jane Buffett and published by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. The book was originally released in 1988. It was illustrated by Lambert Davis. The plot heavily draws from the Greek myth of Arion. From the cover flap, "A superb songwriter and storyteller, Jimmy Buffett has combined his knowledge of oceanic folklore with his own experiences while sailing with his daughter, Savannah Jane, from island to island throughout the Caribbean. The result is The Jolly Mon - an original tale where music and enchantment, pirates and trickery, friendship and the loyalty of a very special dolphin, create a timeless story of adventure. Dramatic paintings by Lambert Davis reflect the artist's continuing love of the sun, the surf, and the sea. Many of the visual elements in these illustrations were suggested to the artist by Jimmy Buffett, who related many details of his own experiences while living among the people of the Caribbean. Here is a book to be shared and treasured by young and old." The original hard cover release of the book was accompanied by a cassette tape of Jimmy Buffett and Savannah Jane Buffett reading the story along with an original score written by Michael Utley. The musicians performing the score were Michael Utley (Piano), Robert Greenidge (Steel Pan), and Ira Ingber (Guitar). Later editions of the book are accompanied by a CD recording of Jimmy and Savannah reading it. Buffett was inspired to title this book after his famous song Jolly Mon Sing from his 1985 album, Last Mango in Paris. The script writer of the Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, Terry Rossio, credits the title of this book for the inspiration of the name for the little ship that Jack Sparrow sinks in the opening of the film.
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2. Swine Not?
James William Buffett (December 25, 1946 – September 1, 2023) was an American singer-songwriter, author, and businessperson. He was known for his tropical music sound blending country, rock, folk, calypso, and his persona, which often portrayed a lifestyle described as "island escapism." It promoted enjoying life and following passions. Buffett recorded many hit songs, including those known as "The Big 8": "Margaritaville" (1977), which is ranked 234th on the Recording Industry Association of America's list of "Songs of the Century"; "Come Monday" (1974); "Fins" (1979); "Volcano" (1979); "A Pirate Looks at Forty" (1974); "Cheeseburger in Paradise" (1978); "Why Don't We Get Drunk" (1973); and "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" (1977). His other popular songs include "Son of a Son of a Sailor" (1978), "One Particular Harbour" (1983), and "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" with Alan Jackson (2003). Buffett formed the Coral Reefer Band in 1975. Of over 30 albums released by Buffett, eight are certified gold and nine are certified platinum or multi-platinum by the RIAA. He sold over 20 million certified records worldwide. In addition to two Grammy Award nominations, Buffett was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio in the Musical Excellence category in 2024. Buffett parlayed the "island escapism" lifestyle of his music into several business ventures including the Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville restaurant chain, the Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant chain which is defunct, and ventures in hotels, casinos, liquor, and retirement communities. He was a bestselling author. Buffett's estate was estimated to be worth $275 million. His devoted fans are known as "Parrotheads".
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