Jimmy Buffett made his first appearance on The Ellen Degeneres Show in 2005, and it was certainly a memorable one. The episode started with Ellen commenting on the amazing audience, who were the same people every day. She jokingly mentioned that they must have a huge wardrobe backstage because they change constantly and dye their hair to look different.
Once the introductions were out of the way, Ellen asked Jimmy about his iconic song, “Margaritaville.” Jimmy revealed that he wrote the song in 1977 and that it was actually an easy and quick song to write. He recounted how he was in Austin, Texas, on a hot day enjoying a margarita when the inspiration for the song struck him. He then flew back home to Key West, Florida, and continued writing the song. It was a true “six-minute wonder” for him.
Ellen was curious about the term “parrotheads” that Jimmy’s fans were known as. Jimmy explained that it all started with his fans wearing Hawaiian shirts to his shows. Over time, their costumes became more elaborate and ridiculous, reminiscent of Mardi Gras. Jimmy compared his fans’ energy and enthusiasm to the joy of Mardi Gras, stating that everyone needs to have a little time off to have fun and be silly.
The conversation then took a turn when Ellen shared that she is known for her owl sound, and her fans are called “Owl heads.” Jimmy immediately saw the connection and remarked that there wasn’t much difference between Owl heads and Parrot heads – it’s all about having fun and embracing the excitement. The audience enthusiastically joined in, clearly having a blast.
As the interview continued, Ellen congratulated Jimmy on his book, “A Salty Piece of Land,” being a New York Times bestseller. The book was quite thick, and Ellen playfully compared it to her own book, which was much thinner. Jimmy credited his ability to find time to write to his friend Herman Wouk, who advised him to write a page a day. Following this advice allowed Jimmy to complete his book despite having other commitments, such as raising kids.
In the end, Ellen couldn’t help but promote Jimmy’s book, encouraging her audience to purchase a copy. She even cheekily suggested using her book as a bookmark for Jimmy’s. As the episode came to a close, Ellen informed everyone in the audience that they would be receiving a copy of “A Salty Piece of Land” – a special treat for the lucky attendees.
Jimmy Buffett‘s first appearance on The Ellen Degeneres Show in 2005 was a fun-filled ride. From discussing the origins of “Margaritaville” to the lively conversation about his dedicated fanbase, the episode was a delightful mix of entertainment and laughter. It’s no wonder that The Ellen Degeneres Show continues to be a popular platform for celebrities to share their stories and connect with their fans.
