The late Jimmy Buffett will be celebrated at a star-studded tribute show happening in Los Angeles this spring. “Keep The Party Going: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffet” happens on April 11 at Hollywood Bowl, and performers include Paul McCartney, Eagles, Jon Bon Jovi, Zac Brown, Jackson Browne, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Sheryl Crow, Pitbull, Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band and guitarist Mac McAnally, and more special guests. See the lineup so far in full below.
Tickets go on sale Friday, March 15 at 10 AM PDT, with various presales starting Wednesday, March 13 at 10 AM PDT.
McCartney contributed to “My Gummy Just Kicked In” from Buffett’s posthumous 2023 album Equal Strain on All Parts. He also paid tribute to Buffett in a message on social media, writing, “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.” His statement continued:
I remember once on holiday when I had forgotten to bring my guitar and was itching to play. He said he would get me one of his, but I said, ‘I’m left-handed’. So, Jimmy had his roadie restring one of his guitars which he loaned me for the duration of the holiday. He then followed this act of generosity by giving me my own beautiful left-handed guitar that had been made by one of his guitar-making pals. It’s a beautiful instrument, and every time I play it now it’ll remind me of what a great man Jimmy was.
He had a most amazing lust for life and a beautiful sense of humour. When we swapped tales about the past his were so exotic and lush and involved sailing trips and surfing and so many exciting stories that it was hard for me to keep up with him.
Right up to the last minute his eyes still twinkled with a humour that said, ‘I love this world and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it’.
So many of us will miss Jimmy and his tremendous personality. His love for us all, and for mankind as a whole.
Last, but not least, is his songwriting and vocal ability. If someone made an interesting remark he repeated it in his gorgeous Louisiana drawl and said, ‘That’s a good idea for a song’. Most times it didn’t take too long for that song to appear. I was very happy to have played on one of his latest songs called ‘My Gummy Just Kicked In’. We had a real fun session and he played me some of his new songs. One, in particular, I loved was the song, ‘Bubbles Up’. And I told him that not only was the song great but the vocal was probably the best I’ve heard him sing ever. He turned a diving phrase that is used to train people underwater into a metaphor for life when you’re confused and don’t know where you are just follow the bubbles – they’ll take you up to the surface and straighten you out right away.
So long, Jim. You are a very special man and friend and it was a great privilege to get to know you and love you. Bubbles up, my friend.
Love, Paul
KEEP THE PARTY GOING: A TRIBUTE TO JIMMY BUFFETT LINEUP
Paul McCartney
Eagles
Jon Bon Jovi
Zac Brown
Jackson Browne
Brandi Carlile
Kenny Chesney
Eric Church
Sheryl Crow
Scotty Emerick
Jack Johnson
Caroline Jones
Mac McAnally
Jake Owen
Pitbull
Jake Shimabukuro
The Coral Reefer Band
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.
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) September 2, 2023
I remember once on holiday when I had forgotten to bring my guitar and was… pic.twitter.com/k5B6xgpAh7