CLEVELAND — Who are the first artists that come to mind when you hear “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?” The Beatles? Led Zeppelin? Elvis Presley? Jimmy Buffett? Wait. That last one felt a little awkward. Let’s try again.
Sounds a little weird to hear Jimmy’s name listed among the greatest to ever rock, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a well-deserved honor.
If hearing that Jimmy Buffett was being inducted into the Rock Hall this year surprised you, you’d be forgiven. After all, up until this year the Godfather of Trop Rock had never even been nominated.
But nothing seems to clarify critics minds and reinvigorate interest in an artists work like their untimely passing. And so, when Jimmy boogey-boarded into the great beyond last September, the Rock Hall decided to honor Buffett by recognizing him under the category of “Musical Excellence”.
Now, if you don’t believe Jimmy Buffett was a good songwriter, you might want to take it up with this guy. Bob Dylan considered him one of his favorite. And he knows a thing or two.
Or ask any of the thousands of Buffett devotees who refer to themselves as Parrotheads, There are over 200 local chapters of these fan clubs all over the U.S. So I did! I ventured over to Margaritaville in the flats to meet up with some members of the North Coast Parrothead Club and chat about what Jimmy’s music and his induction, means to them.
Like Jimmy himself, these folks are laid-back, and pretty chill about the whole thing. And while regrettably, some artists aren’t given the appreciation they’re due until we’ve lost them, fortunately, that’s not the case with Buffett. He’s had a devoted fanbase of party friends loving the entire experience he provided for many decades, and continuing to do so to this day. To them, this Rock Hall induction is not necessary, but nice. Like a little extra salt, on the Margarita glass.
Check out Mike Polk Jr.'s interview with the North Coast Parrothead Club in the video player at the top of this page.