Parrot Heads around the globe are waking to the news. Jimmy Buffett has died at the age of 76.

A statement posted to www.jimmybuffett.com read:

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

No further details regarding the cause or location of his death have been disclosed at this time.

Baldwin County residents often had a chance to see Buffett on and off the stage. He made frequent, under the radar visits to the Flora-Bama and his sister Lucy Buffett’s restaurant, LuLu’s. He also helped raise the spirits of locals after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill with a free concert in Gulf Shores called the “Concert for the Coast.” The July 2010 concert was broadcast by cable network CMT.

Buffett was born on Christmas Day in Pascagoula, Mississippi and grew up in Mobile and Fairhope. He was drawn to the guitar after seeing how it attracted the ladies' attention for a fraternity brother during his time at Auburn University. Before long he was performing on the streets in New Orleans and then moved on to clubs while still in college.

After graduating from college, Buffett headed to Nashville to work for Billboard Magazine and to take a chance on a music career. He released his first album “Down To Earth” in 1970.

According to jimmybuffett.com, we can thank a fateful trip to Key West in 1971 for his iconic music. That trip was the inspiration to merge his musicality, storytelling and wanderlust.

Over his career, Buffett released 27 studio albums, New York Times bestselling books, a Broadway play, appearances in movies and television and awards:

• 2003 CMA Award – Vocal Event of the Year for “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere”
• 2004 - Academy of Country Music Awards – Vocal Event of the Year for “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere”
• 2004 - Academy of Country Music Awards – Single Record of the Year for “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere”

Put your flip flops on, eat a cheeseburger in paradise, and wash it down with a margarita in remembrance of Jimmy Buffett.