Legendary singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett passed away on Saturday. He was 76.
Best known for popular songs like “Margaritaville,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” Buffett also played an important role in baseball history. In 2005, Buffett became the first-ever musician to hold a concert at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs acknowledged that fact and sent their condolences to Buffett’s family in a post Saturday.
It wasn’t the last time Buffett played at Wrigley Field. He returned to the venue in both 2017 and 2018.
According to the Chicago Tribune, those performances were meaningful to Buffett thanks to his relationship with Chicago musician Steve Goodman. Goodman was an accomplished folk and country singer, but also made an impact in the sports world, writing and performing the song “Go Cubs Go,” which is played after every Cubs win. He died of leukemia in 1984.
Buffett told the Tribune in 2017 that his first concert at Wrigley Field was emotional because of his relationship with Goodman.
Buffett’s idea caught on among other musical acts. Since Buffett’s first Wrigley Field concert in 2005, a number of popular artists have played at the park, including Pearl Jam, Billy Joel, Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Bruce Springsteen, among others.
