Legends and Legacies

It’s always devastating when we learn that one of our favorite artists has died. We feel the stabbing pain that accompanies the news flash. Artists, actors, singers, and storytellers are interwoven into the soundtrack that accompanies our lives. If indeed we are who we are from the stories that we are told, then my life is kaleidoscope of music, books, and movies, that I can access any time that I want. There are images, lines and lyrics that will forever linger in my mind.

Most people of my generation can recall where they were when Elvis died. It was unbelievable to think that an artist who was bigger than life was human, and we mourned his departure as we realized that “The King” had truly left the building. I was in High School when Jim Croce died in a plane crash, and I still remember the sadness that I felt. I had only recently begun listening to the stories that he shared through his music.

There are so many musicians who are songwriters and weave unforgettable lyrics that are forever embedded in the soundtrack of our lives. From Gershwin and Cole Porter to Hank Williams and Willie Nelson, songwriters share with us songs of love, loneliness, and reflections of the times that they were written. Bob Dylan served as a poet laureate and troubadour of the turbulent times of the 1960’s and Paul McCartney gave us love songs that span generations.

When Jimmy Buffett died, I along with the rest of the nation felt a deep sense of loss. He took us to magical places that we may never go, but we could go there through his sailor’s stories of life on the sea and tropical islands. His first major hit,” Come Monday” came out when I was in college followed by “Margaritaville” and I was ready to sail away with him.

While these hits catapulted him to superstardom, I was more intrigued by songs such as “It’s My Job,” about taking responsibility for what we are doing, whether it is being a janitor or a performer. As I moved into adulthood and faced middle age, Jimmy was always right there with me as I sang along to “Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitudes,” and. “Gravity Storm.” Whenever I need a good dose of nostalgia, I listen to “Pencil Thin Mustache” and songs such as “This Hotel Room” and “Overkill” that are keen observations into daily life.

I have always felt a connection with Jimmy Buffett because he is from the region of the gulf coast where I was born and raised. The beach is a part of our lives that never goes away, much like the sand in our shoes. My husband knew Jimmy’s aunt and uncle, and when they found out that our baby was due on December 25 (Jimmy’s birthday) they told him about it at a family reunion. The next thing I knew, we started receiving signed merchandise such as record albums, posters with “Happy Baby Terry” and t-shirts that we would wear to his many concerts that we were able to experience over the years. His incredible generosity was only exceeded by his great talent, and that is why he will forever be on my playlist and in my heart.

I believe that legendary artists remain that way because of the legacies that they leave behind. I recall lines from plays such as “Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night!” or “I think we’re gonna need a bigger boat!” with admiration for the actors and the writers who gave us these memorable moments. So, whenever I’m so lonesome I could cry, I will grab my time in a bottle and take off for Margaritaville. A heartfelt thank you to Hank, Jim, and Jimmy for leaving such powerful legacies behind. As another great legend once sang,” Thanks for the Memories.”