Jimmy Buffett died after four-year battle with Merkel cell skin cancer at age 76… as flags are lowered to half-staff at Margaritaville in his honor

Jimmy Buffett fans around the world continue to mourn his death, but new information from his family indicates the beloved singer kept fighting until the end.

The obituary on the Come Monday singer’s website indicates he died of Merkel Cell cancer, a disease he had been fighting for four years.

According to the Mayo Clinic, it is a ‘rare type of skin cancer that usually appears as a flesh-colored or bluish-red nodule, often on your face, head or neck.’ It most often affects older people.

Buffett had been fighting the disease for four years before his death Friday at age 76 at his home in Sag Harbor, on New York’s Long Island. 

To honor the late musician, his Margaritaville hotel in Palm Springs lowered its American flag to half mast.

Cancer: Jimmy Buffett’s family has revealed the beloved singer died of Merkel Cell cancer, a rare form of skin cancer and continued performing through his four years of treatment. The Margaritaville artist passed away September 1 at age 76  (Pictured in Key West, FL in February)

Mourning: The flag was lowered to half-staff at the Margaritaville Hotel in Palm Spring, CA and presumably at other Margaritaville venues around the world in honor of the late hitmaker

It’s unclear if other locations from his lucrative chain inspired by his classic song have lowered their flags. 

Those outlets include Margaritaville hotels, restaurants, and retirement communities. 

Buffett’s website revealed the tireless artist continued to perform while being treated for the disease. 

He made his final performance at a surprise show in Rhode Island in early July. 

When James William Buffett was born in Christmas day in 1946 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, no one could have imagined the gifts he would bring into the world.

After struggling to make his mark as a performer, he finally broke through in the music business with Come Monday in 1974, from his album Living and Dying in 3/4 Time. 

That resulted in a string of hits that included Changes in Latitudes, Fins and the ever popular Margaritaville.

He won CMA and ACM awards for his twangy hit It’s Five O’clock Somewhere and was nominated for two Grammys. 

The singer’s death has resulted in a surge in streaming for his most popular tunes. 

According to the Spotify Daily Chart via Kworb, Margaritaville is currently the sixth most played song in the US.

The 2003 rendition of It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere with Alan Jackson has landed at number 12.  Cheeseburger in Paradise is at Number 30.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=BPCjC543llU%3Frel%3D0

Come Monday is number 44, Knee Deep with the Zac Brown Band is at 45, followed by Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes at Number 50.

A Pirate Looks at Forty is coming in at number  54, and Son of a Son of a Sailor docked at number 71.

In addition to his songs embracing a more laid back lifestyle, he was the author of several bestselling books, including Tales From Margaritaville, Where is Joe Merchant and A Salty Piece of Land. 

The man who sang about enjoying a ‘Cheeseburger in Paradise’ with a ‘cold draft beer’ founded his own brew, Land Shark beer. 

Forbes estimated Buffett’s net worth at more than $1 billion. 

Accolades from around the world have poured in honoring the beloved Pirate. 

Paul McCartney, who visited with Buffett in the week before his passing wrote, ‘ the Oldest Surfer on the Beach artist was ‘one of the kindest and most generous people’ on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

Legacy: In addition to his music, Buffett was the author of several bestselling books, including Tales From Margaritaville, Where is Joe Merchant and A Salty Piece of Land (Pictured in New Orleans in April 2015)

No flowers: Buffett’s family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Jimmy Buffett’s Foundation Singing for Change, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Institute or MD Anderson Cancer Center (Pictured in Gulf Shores, Alabama, in 2010)

Brew: The man who sang about enjoying a ‘Cheeseburger in Paradise’ with a ‘cold draft beer’ founded his own brew, Land Shark beer. Forbes estimated Buffett’s net worth at more than $1 billion     (Pictured in New York in August 1977)

‘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,’ the former Beatle said.

Buffett was survived by his wife of 46 years, Jane, their three children, a grandson, as well as his beloved pack of dogs.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Jimmy Buffett’s Foundation Singing for Change, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Institute or MD Anderson Cancer Center. 

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