Awakenings began Music Through the Centuries from the 1600s to the 1800s in November, 2013 with the music going on beating to the rhythm of the changing times. Each period of time carries its own music of the century but there is one century whose music underwent radical changes decade by decade, the 20th Century...Music in Leisure Times (1900-1909), Ragging into the 1910s (1910-1919), Roaring into the 20s (1920-1929), Swinging into the 30s (1930-1939), Still Swinging in the 40s (1940-1949), Leading up to the 50s, Rockin' in the 50s, Rollin', Too! (1950-1959), Birth of Rock 'n' Roll, 60s Music Revolution, Spirit of the 60s Music, Stuck in the 70s, Generations of Country Music, 80s Music Mania, Taste of Country, continuing into 2014 with Best of the 90s and Best of 90s Country Time. Then, came the Music into the 21st Century, Contemporary & Classical, and spotlights on specific events and recording artists in music history.
That brings us up-to-date with today's spotlight shining on a well known folk country singer and songwriter of the 70s. But, don't think for a moment that his music stopped there! A bit of music trivia takes us back to 1996 but also a look at his two most popular songs.
Welcome into the Spotlight...
Jimmy Buffet's first album, 1970's Down to Earth, sold a whopping 324 copies. Barnaby Records then temporarily misplaced the master tape of his second album before its release. By 1972, Nashville was left behind in the dust, as well as a failed marriage, as he headed south to Key West. With such misadventures as supporting himself by smuggling a little marijuana from the Caribbean and developing his drunken-sailor persona, Jimmy Buffett found his niche. The rest is history with Buffett's commercial breakthrough coming in 1977. Ever heard of "Margaritaville" (1977) or "Cheeseburger in Paradise" (1978)? No one could come through the 70s without attachment to either of these songs! They are classics of the era.
The 1985 compilation Songs You Know by Heart (subtitled Jimmy Buffet's Greatest Hit[s] in self-mocking reference to the fact that "Margaritaville" was his only major pop hit) sold 2 million copies; 1992's Boats Beaches Bars & Ballads also went platinum. By that time Buffett had established a Margaritaville empire, including a record label and Margaritaville Store and Café outlets in Key West, New Orleans, Orlando, and Charleston. He wrote three best-selling books: Tales From Margaritaville, a collection of short stories; the novel Where Is Joe Merchant?; and the memoir A Pirate Looks at Fifty, which made Buffett only the sixth author ever to top both the fiction and nonfiction lists. Read MORE...
1996 Jamaican authorities opened fire on Jimmy Buffett's seaplane "Hemisphere Dancer", mistaking it for a drug trafficker's plane. U2 singer Bono was also on the plane; neither singer was injured in the incident. The incident inspired Buffett to write a song called 'Jamaica Mistaica'.No.1 hits on this day...
[Click on the year for the songs that hit number one on the charts in the US during that year.]
1988 George Michael went to No.1 on the US album charts with his debut solo album 'Faith'. It went on to sell over 8 million copies.
1988 Tina Turner gave herself a place in the record books when she performed in front of 182,000 people in Rio De Janeiro. The largest audience ever for a single artist.
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