Jimmy Buffett cause of death revealed; Paul McCartney, James Taylor & more pay tribute

September 3, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Tributes have been pouring in following the news that “Margaritaville” singer Jimmy Buffett passed away Friday, September 1 at the age of 76.

According to the official obituary posted to the late singer’s website, Buffett died after a four-year battle with Merkel Cell Skin Cancer, a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer. The obit notes, “He continued to perform during treatment, playing his last show, a surprise appearance in Rhode Island, in early July.”

Among the tributes coming in for Buffett, Paul McCartney wrote, “It seems that so many wonderful people are leaving this world, and now Jimmy Buffett is one of them. I’ve known Jimmy for some time and found him to be one of the kindest and most generous people.”

McCartney recalled a time while on vacation he had forgotten his guitar and Jimmy had a roadie restring one of his so the left-handed McCartney could play it. Buffett then gifted McCartney with a left-handed guitar made by a friend. “It’s a beautiful instrument, and every time I play it now it’ll remind me of what a great man Jimmy was,” he writes.

James Taylor also posted a lengthy tribute to his “old pal” Buffett, calling him “a real example of a man” adding he was “a model of how to enjoy the great gift of being alive.”

Other tributes include:

President Joe Biden – “A poet of paradise, Jimmy Buffett was an American music icon who inspired generations to step back and find the joy in life and in one another. We had the honor to meet and get to know Jimmy over the years, and he was in life as he was performing on stage – full of goodwill and joy, using his gift to bring people together. “

Former President Bill Clinton wrote that Buffett’s “music brought happiness to millions of people,” adding, “I’ll always be grateful for his kindness, generosity, and great performances through the years, including at the White House in 2000. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and legion of devoted fans.”

Kenny Chesney shared video of him singing one of Buffett’s tunes writing, “So goodbye Jimmy.Thanks for your friendship and the songs I will carry in my heart forever. Sail on Sailor.” The post also featured a live performance of him and Jimmy singing “Margaritaville.”

Sammy Hagar – “The Godfather of lifestyle. Jimmy started it all and took it farther than anyone. He taught us all how to live. Jimmy taught us all how to wear shorts, flip-flops and a worn out T-shirt, walk on stage or to your favorite restaurant, and be comfortable.”

Jon Bon Jovi – “Jimmy Sail on my good friend Luv u.”

Graham Nash – “I was so sad to hear that my friend Jimmy Buffett has passed away. He had a truly uplifting spirit and a real gift with words. Sending love to his family, to the wonderful Coral Reefer Band, and all his many fans who love him.”

Sheryl Crow – “He was as he always was… a bright light! With a wonderful sense of humor and always so warm. I will miss knowing he is on the planet. He is up there sailing the bright blue Caribbean!”

Bob Seger – “Sunshine personified. I never met a human being that didn’t like him. He’ll be greatly missed.”

Ben Stiller – “I’m so sad about the great @jimmybuffett. His music was more than just the lifestyle – it was emotional and iconic. Made the world a better place and always will. Sending love to his family.”

Brian Wilson – “Love and Mercy, Jimmy Buffett”

Beach Boys‘ Mike Love – “Your music brought joy to so many people, including me. It was always a pleasure when our paths crossed and we were able to share the stage together.” He added, “Your sense of humor and gracious nature was a pleasure to be a round. Although we’ll miss you, we’ll continue to enjoy the beautiful music that you’ve blessed upon us. No more shoes, just your toes in heaven’s sand.”

Blake Shelton – “Heart broken this morning hearing of Jimmy Buffett’s passing. What an incredible talent and man. His songs will live on forever. I’ll bet most of y’all don’t know that he wrote the theme song for @BarmageddonUSA for me about 2 years ago. Raising a glass today to the Son of a son of a Sailer.”

Jason Aldean – “It’s a sad day today. I woke up to the news of Jimmy Buffett’s passing. His music has been the soundtrack to my life. Spending a lot of my childhood in South Florida, he was the epitome of a free spirit and lived a lifestyle that we all admired and strived to emulate,” adding, “You inspired a lot of us Jimmy and you will forever be remembered. RIP brother.”

“Margaritaville” singer Jimmy Buffett dies at age 76

September 2, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

It’s a sad day in Margaritaville. Legendary musician Jimmy Buffett passed away Friday, September 1 at age 76.

“Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1 surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,” read the announcement on his website and social media. “He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”

Associated with feet-in-the-sand island vibes, Buffett was best known for such classic songs as “Margaritaville,” “Come Monday,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and “Why Don’t We Get Drunk.” He released over 30 records and was known for his almost constant touring schedule with his Coral Reefer Band, drawing a devoted fanbase, affectionately known as Parrotheads.

Buffett also dabbled in writing, releasing bestsellers Tales from Margaritaville in 1989 and Where Is Joe Merchant? in 1992, as well as his own memoir, A Pirate Looks at 50, which was released in 1998. He also released the novels A Salty Piece of Land in 2004 and Swine Not? in 2008, as well as two children’s books, The Jolly Mon and Trouble Dolls, with his daughter Savannah Jane Buffett.

His music was also turned into a musical, Escape to Margaritaville, which debuted on Broadway in March 2018. Although the show closed after just 124 regular performances, a national tour launched in 2019.

In addition to music, Buffett was well known for his many hugely successful business ventures, including restaurants like the Margaritaville Café, the now-defunct Cheeseburger in Paradise chain and LandShark Bar & Grill.

He also licensed the Margaritaville name for a line of tequila, foods, clothing and more, including hotels, cruises, and even retirement villages and casinos. And in 2006 he teamed up with Anheuser-Busch for a new beer line, LandShark Lager.

All of this and more helped land Buffett on Forbes’ World’s Billionaires List in 2023, with a fortune of $1 billion.

In July, Buffett made a surprise appearance at a Rhode Island concert headlined by songwriter and Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band bandmate Mac McAnally. He’d previously canceled a show in May, informing fans that he’d been hospitalized to “address some issues that needed immediate attention.”

Talking Heads’ ‘Stop Making Sense’ returns to charts following 40th anniversary reissue

September 1, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

It never got any higher than #41 when it was released back in 1984, but Talking Heads‘ Stop Making Sense, the soundtrack to their seminal concert film, has just debuted in the top 10 of Billboard‘s Top Album Sales chart.

Driving sales of the album is a new 40th anniversary reissue, which includes the complete concert for the first time. There are also two unreleased songs from the series of 1983 shows at LA’s Pantages Theater that were filmed: “Cities” and “Big Business/I Zimbra.”

The album sold 12,000 copies, making it Talking Heads’ best sales week since Luminate, formerly known as Soundscan, starting tracking sales electronically in 1991. Ninety-five percent of the sales came from vinyl.

On the Billboard 200 chart, the album reenters at #73, marking its first appearance on that chart since 1986.

Meanwhile, a remastered version of the film will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, followed by a one-week engagement at IMAX theaters starting September 22. From September 29 on, it’ll be in wide release.

What farewell tour? Ted Nugent has at least three other gigs lined up

September 1, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Ted Nugent recently wrapped up his Adios Mofo ’23 farewell tour. But if you didn’t see him, you apparently have three more chances in the next couple of months, starting Friday, September 1.

In the latest episode of his series The Nightly Nuge, the rocker thanked everyone who has come to his concerts over “the last 65 years” — which would indicate that he’s been playing since he was 10 years old — and then added, “By the way, I’m gonna continue.”

Nugent says he’ll be “on stage with STYX” at “a casino in Michigan,” referring to the band’s show September 1 at Firekeeper’s Casino in Battle Creek, Michigan. He adds, “Night Ranger is coming to Jackson, Michigan, and I will be on stage with Night Ranger. And then in October, Sammy Hagar‘s coming to Michigan, and I will be on stage with Sammy Hagar.”

Night Ranger is playing Jackson, Michigan, on September 8, while Hagar is playing Firekeeper’s Casino on October 21.

“I’m still enthused and inspired and motivated and stimulated beyond measure, as you can tell, by my passion for the music,” he adds. “But it’s because my music represents the human experience.”

The Kinks’ Dave Davies is … a Barbie fan?

September 1, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

They’re definitely not the target demo, but it appears that even Rock & Roll Hall of Famers in their 70s can’t resist the lure of Barbie.

The Kinks‘ Dave Davies posted a video on his socials that shows him inside an animated Barbie movie digital frame. As it moves, the 76-year-old rocker appears to be holding up a little pink flower. The video is set to The Kinks’ 1964 version of Chuck Berry‘s “Too Much Monkey Business.”

“I had a lot of fun watching Barbie,” Davies writes in the caption. “I’m a big fan of Ryan Gosling.. he had a quirky part. Nice to see Michael Cera as Allen.”

Fans seemed to appreciate the post, with one writing, “Dave is the real g. Keeping up with the youngsters.” Another wrote, “This Ken is an iconic guitarist,” while another raved, “This is the greatest post I’ve ever seen.”

No word on whether or not Davies caught a “Barbenheimer” double feature while he was at the theater.

David Gilmour’s 2010 collaboration with The Orb now reimagined as ‘Metallic Spheres In Colour’

September 1, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Metallic Spheres, a 2010 collaborative album by Pink Floyd‘s David Gilmour and the British ambient techno act The Orb, is getting a fresh look.

The album has been “reimagined” and remixed, and will be released on September 29 as Metallic Spheres In Colour. The new version has been overseen by The Orb founder Alex Paterson and Youth, who produced the original album.

In a statement, Youth says, “The idea for Metallic Spheres In Colour, was that Alex Paterson could have done more on the first version, and he didn’t really have the opportunity because we had a philosophy of making the music like the Blade Runner soundtrack meets Wish You Were Here. So, I asked him, ‘Why don’t we remix it and make it like an Orb classic?’ And in doing that, it’s almost like a completely different album.”

An excerpt from one of the album’s suites, “Metallic Spheres In Colour: Movement 1,” is now available. It comes with a trippy animated video created by Kavi Karnapuradas, who is both a graphic designer and a Hare Krishna monk.

The original album came from a musical project Gilmour was involved in that was designed to raise money to support the case of Gary McKinnon, a British hacker who was facing extradition to the U.S. The proceeds from Metallic Spheres, the album that grew out of that project, were donated to that effort; the extradition was later overturned and McKinnon escaped prosecution in the U.K.

Nita Strauss took first guitar lesson upon joining Alice Cooper’s band

September 1, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Nita Strauss is known as a guitar virtuoso, but she didn’t take her first guitar lesson until after she joined Alice Cooper‘s band.

In an interview with Guitar Player, Strauss shares that she decided to take lessons after a conversation she had with longtime Cooper producer Bob Ezrin when she first joined the band in 2014.

“He said, ‘Alice Cooper doesn’t need a shred guitar player. He needs a rock guitar player. Can you become a rock guitar player in time?'” Strauss recalls. “I said, ‘Absolutely. I know I can do it.'”

“This was two weeks before the start of the Alice Cooper-Mötley Crüe tour,” she continues. “When I hung up the phone, I was in a daze. I remember looking at my phone and thinking, Wow… Bob Ezrin just told me I don’t know how to play rock guitar.”

While that conversation didn’t necessarily boost Strauss’ confidence, it did lead her to search for a guitar teacher.

“I was like, ‘I need to figure out what he means — a ‘rock guitar player,”” Strauss says. “I called around and found a great teacher. I came in and showed him my audition videos. I said, ‘What the f*** does he mean?'”

“My teacher was the first person to really teach me how to incorporate blues licks into my playing, like adding the blues note into the minor pentatonic scale — these little licks and things,” Strauss explains. “AC/DC riffs, KISS riffs and licks. Ace Frehley’s stuff worked seamlessly with my style of playing, but they added that extra nuance that made it feel a bit more like a classic-rock vibe.”

Alice Cooper is currently on tour with Rob Zombie. The “School’s Out” rocker released a new album, Road, in August.

Black Crowes releasing limited-edition ‘The Southern Harmony & Musical Companion’ box set

September 1, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

Black Crowes start their opening gig for Aerosmith‘s Peace Out tour this Saturday, September 2, but they’ve also got some plans for their back catalog.

A limited-edition box set of the band’s second album, The Southern Harmony & Musical Companion, is now available for preorder; it ships December 1.

On Instagram, the band writes, “We revisited the archives alongside our friend [and producer] George Drakoulias and created an incredibly special, super deluxe edition of our sophomore album.”

Among the goodies you’ll find are unreleased studio recordings; rare B sides; a live performance from Sam Houston Coliseum in Houston, Texas, on February 6, 1993; and a newly remastered version of the original album.

The four-LP and three-CD versions of the box set come with a reproduction of the original 132-page promotional hymn book that came with the album. Also included are insights on the record from Chris and Rich Robinson, as well as a set of lithographs of classic images from the original album photo sessions, plus the sheet music for the nine songs the brothers co-wrote.

The Southern Harmony & Musical Companion was first released in May 1992. It topped the Billboard album chart and featured four songs that topped the publication’s rock charts: “Remedy,” “Hotel Illness,” “Sting Me” and “Thorn In My Pride.”

“Nothing Else Matters” except this dog who attended a Metallica show

September 1, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

In a sequel to that ’90s movie Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, we now have Metallica Bound: The Incredibly Metal Journey.

Star of said journey is Storm, a dog who sneaked out of their human’s house and into the Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium during one of Metallica’s concerts at the venue as part of their ongoing M72 tour.

“You might have heard we had a four-legged fan join us for #M72LA!” Metallica writes in a Facebook post alongside a truly adorable photo of Storm sitting in the stadium’s seats. “Despite reports to the contrary, our friend Storm snuck out of her home adjacent to SoFi Stadium and made her way to the gig all by herself.”

The reports to which Metallica is referring came from LA’s Animal Hope & Wellness Foundation, which first posted that the dog had been abandoned at SoFi before the situation was cleared up.

“After a full night taking in the show with her #MetallicaFamily, Storm was safely reunited with her actual family the next day,” Metallica’s post continues. “She had a great time listening to her favorite songs, including ‘Barx Æterna,’ ‘Master of Puppies,’ and ‘The Mailman That Never Comes.'”

In addition to flexing their strong pun game, Metallica adds, “And in case you were wondering, no. You definitely shouldn’t bring your furry friends to the #M72 World Tour. But this dog sure did have her day.”

Notably, Metallica’s SoFi shows, which took place August 25 and 27, broke the stadium’s single-show attendance record. Could Storm have been the one who put them over the top? We can only hope.

And while nothing else matters except for the dog at the Metallica show, the song “Nothing Else Matters” has passed 1 billion streams on Spotify.

The Rolling Stones tease “new … era” with latest ’Hackney Diamonds’ post

September 1, 2023 by Classic Rock 93.9

The Rolling Stones teases continue.

On Friday, September 1, the “Gimme Shelter” rockers shared new videos on Facebook and Instagram directing you to their newly launched website, HackneyDiamonds.com, which fans are speculating is hinting at a new album titled Hackney Diamonds. The posts feature the Stones’ lips logo made up of broken diamond pieces and rising from the street and the beach.

“A new Stones era,” the captions to the posts reads. “Worldwide September 6th.”

Notably, the HackneyDiamonds.com site features a countdown clock that will hit zero on September 6.

Meanwhile, both Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have shared similar teasers on Insta gram. Mick’s post also includes the beach video, as well as a clip of the Lips logo rising from a glacier, while Keith’s features footage of a New York City Subway station.

Should Hackney Diamonds indeed be a new Rolling Stones album, it’ll be their first since their 2016 blues covers compilation Blue & Lonesome. The most recent original Stones record is 2005’s A Bigger Bang.

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