The Coral Reefer Band, the longtime backing group of Jimmy Buffett, has announced that they will continue to perform after the singer's death from skin cancer at the age of 76 on September 1st.
Buffett, who was known for his laid-back island-inspired music and his loyal fan base of "Parrotheads", had told his bandmates to "keep the party going" before he passed away. His guitarist Mac McAnally told Billboard that the band was like a family and that they wanted to honor Buffett's wishes and legacy.
"The Coral Reefer Band is second family to all of us. We are a family. And Jimmy wants us to continue and we want to continue… There’s ongoing discussions about the best way to do that, the most practical way to do that and how to do it in a way that is worthy of the legacy that we’re part of… I can’t wait until we [figure it out] because we miss being out there, playing his songs to people and feeling that alternating current go back and forth from the stage to the crowd. I don’t know who’s got more energy, them or us," McAnally said.
The band played its last concert with Buffett on May 6th at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium. Buffett's last performance was with McAnally on July 2nd in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. The Coral Reefer Band has not announced any specific plans or dates for their future shows, but they have assured the fans that they will keep Buffett's music and spirit alive.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]