Paul McCartney pays a heartfelt tribute to Jimmy Buffett's generosity and legacy

Musicians possess a unique power to resonate deeply with us through their exceptional music. Their skillful artistry leaves a lasting legacy that endures beyond their lifetime. Similarly, Jimmy Buffett, an iconic singer and songwriter who peacefully passed away in September 2023, also left behind a series of legendary masterpieces that the music world treasures even to this day. Paul McCartney recalled the talented singer on his passing and shared a tear-jerking message about Buffett, per PEOPLE. In a tribute concert to the late singer on April 11 in Los Angeles, McCartney remembered Buffett’s life, singing and his bond with him during his last days.

Before performing, McCartney shared that he was invited to sing for Buffett at his home shortly before he passed away. “I was invited up there to sing a couple of songs for Jimmy, and he was in a pretty bad way, but he still had that twinkle in his eye,” he said. The Beatles singer then performed a heartfelt rendition of “Let It Be,” which was the same song he sang to Buffett when he visited him. McCartney added that the “Cheeseburger in Paradise” singer was “a great man” and mentioned that he had made quite a few memories on a vacation the duo had taken together.

McCartney described the late singer as generous, recalling a touching incident during their vacation. “He was generous. He was funny. He’d done just about everything in his life. And I say he was so generous. I was on holiday with him and I forgot to bring my guitar. So, he had his guitar strung left-handed for me. And then the next time I saw him, he had one custom-made left-handed for me. So I love Jimmy,” McCartney exclaimed, per My Modern Met. The concert featured several artists skillfully paying homage to Buffett. Sheryl Crow, too, pitched in on her experience as a newbie with Buffett.

“I was hired by Jimmy Buffett …I was absolutely nobody. And I got to sing backup on ‘Off to See the Lizard’ with Timothy B. Schmidt,” she said. However, to add to that, the singer recalled an encounter with Buffett before the performances. She said, “I have to preface the story by saying I came from St. Louis. I flew to Miami. I got on a small commuter jet. We had a bomb scare. They flew us a hundred yards above the water. The foam landed us, and then the FBI showed up. Always, Jimmy would say, ‘This girl knows how to show up to a party.’”

Crow was certain that Buffett was one of a kind. “I will tell you, he is, for me, the most beautiful illustration of what it means to be alive and awake and present in every moment,” she remarked. The singer who passed away peacefully after battling Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive skin cancer, at 76, was mourned by the world, including eminent celebrities and artists.

You can watch the Paul McCartney tribute here: