Jimmy Buffett Scrapbook

by Mark Humphrey, Harris Lewine

Buffett calls his legions of devoted fans who dress up and act up at his concerts Parrott Heads. He calls paradise "Margaritaville." Parrot Heads know the words to every Buffett song, but even they may not know how a Catholic altar boy in Mobile, Alabama, came to dream of Tahiti and the tropics; Buffett's Believe It or Not! family connection to the legendary mutiny on the Bounty; why Buffett loved New Orleans but loathed Nashville; how Buffett was influenced by the screwy Spike Jones and the square Mitch Miller; the saga of the infamous Old Anchor Inn, where Buffett wrote "Margaritaville"; and Buffett's transformation from self-proclaimed "professional misfit" to environmentalist, entrepreneur, and bestselling author.

Genres: Biography, Music, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jimmy Buffett Scrapbook Updated by Mark Humphrey and Harris Levine (Citadel Press 1994) (780.92).

This is the de rigeur “Intro to Buffett” volume. It is filled with interesting trivial tidbits. I personally was a huge fan from 1974 until the early 80's when he became a mainstream entertainer. The last (of several) Buffett shows I saw was at Duke University in Cameron Indoor Stadium in 1980 or 1981; every time Buffett said "drunk" or "dope" the audience would stand up and cheer. Sheesh.

My rating: 7/10, finished 1996.

4/5/23 - [Edited and updated to add an owned copy.] Buffett is no longer a musician; he has become a mogul. I purchased a used PB copy in fair condition for $1.00 on Amazon on 9/21/21.

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[Todd Stockslager · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good references to Jimmy's literary and musical sources. Not a well-written book, sometimes reading like an "authorized bio" marketing piece, sometimes like a pseudo-hip period piece.

It overemphasizes Jimmy's earlier periods of drugs and alcohol. While I personally want to think that Jimmy lifestyle wasn't that bad, I also know that a businessman who could build the "dream" business he has built around his lifestyle had to be in control of his facilities and faculties to a very large extent even in the early days.

I would use this book primarily as a reference source for additional reading and research on Buffett.