Jimmy Buffett visit to Jones Beach (Deadheads and Parrotheads)

The view from our seats for Jimmy Buffet’s show at Jones Beach was beautiful as we (plum) evaded an expected summer storm.

After taking the last decade (plus) off from Parrothead life, I ventured out last year at the urging of my Long Island friend Steve M to see Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band at Jones Beach. It was so much fun and conjured up so many “good ole” memories (see last year’s story)…I decided to go back again this year for more.

My daughter giving a double
“thumbs-up” to the Jones
Beach parking lot scene.

With my 14-yr old daughter in hand and a giddy excitement to introducing her to the wonderful world of foam shark fins and brass skirts, I ventured back to see Jimmy B at the wonderfully terrific Jones Beach Nikon Amphitheatre for the Aug 21, 2014 show (set list here).

As I told my now high school age daughter, “Welcome to the world’s largest parking lot party. There is nothing else like it anymore. Once Jimmy packs up shop, there will never be another scene like it.”

Since we arrived at the show at 1:30 pm, I had lots of time to ramble about my teenage days following the Grateful Dead and that less-family friendly parking lot scene. (More about the comparison between Deadheads and Parrotheads in a bit…)

https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/V1yJGqvTTUc&source=uds

Few readers of the Thunderbird Ranch Ramble know that I am bit of a Buffett deep tracks fan (a.k.a. “Beyond the Box” set, as I say to friends) and have songs like “Woman Going Crazy on Caroline St”, “Livingston Saturday Night” and “My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink and I Don’t Love Jesus” (which has become quite the popular funny song for my three girls when cruising with me in the car) are common in my music song rotations.

The Buffett Box Set is the best place to start becoming a Parrothead

Nonetheless, this year’s show at Jones Beach was super fantabulous (again). While most Buffet show goers sat in their seats waiting for “Fins” and “Volcano” (which, don’t get me wrong, I love too…), I was a proud papa when my daughter sang every word to rare track “My Head Hurts…” (her favorite Jimmy B song)!

It continues to amaze me how Jimmy B keeps the hits sounding fresh and bubbly. The man has a unique skill that should be studied by musicians lucky enough to have a greatest hits list this revered. One of my buddies at Berklee College of Music whadda think about that?

Jimmy B played my favorite song of his “One Particular Harbor” with his typical gusto that gets me doing the rumba in the aisle like a “Jolly Mon”.

Jimmy B began his own ramble about the magical connection between Parrotheads and Deadheads and his friendship with Jerry Garcia consummated while hanging out at the NYC’s Chelsea Hotel. Buffett and the Coral Reefers than broke out a tropical cover version of the Grateful Dead’s “Scarlet Begonias”. (Proud papa redux when my daughter was started to sing along.)

A most interesting and relevant sidebar happened a few days later while driving down my Nyack street heading home…

I stopped to say hello to my Boston Red Sox-loving neighbor (who happens to be a very well-respected professional writer and definitely one of the “good guys” in life) on his walk home from the NYC bus stop.

Brad would love seeing Jimmy B at Fenway!

After shooting the breeze about summer’s end and the great vegetable stand his kids manned this year in front of our house, I tell him (Brad) about how much fun I had bringing my daughter to her first Buffett show.

Brad immediately smiles then talks about the shows he and his dad shared together once upon a time. It was so cool to hear. I’m sure “Son of Sailor” was a favorite song of theirs.

(Wait, it gets cooler…) Being the Deadhead I am, I then tell Brad about the Garcia reference and Jimmy B’s declaration for “Scarlet Begonias” as the place where Deadheads and Parrotheads meet.

Brad then smiles even wider, puts down his briefcase and reminisces about a story he published many years ago about the connection between Deadheads and Parrotheads that ran rampant across the country on the newswire (an important thing before Web-based news). When I asked to see the piece, he said he would look for it and, like the true “good guy” he is,…did, and sent it to me. (Thank you Brad. You made my day.)

Although I do not agree with many of his views in the piece, I am happy to share “Grateful Parrotheads” from the Tuscon Weekly newspaper November 9, 1995 (click here for the full article).

It’s fun to see the parallels that a very good professional (unlike me) writer (who important to note starts his article with “Never a big fan of the Grateful Dead”) found when diving for a quick dip into the truly Americana slice of life of Deadheads and Parrotheads.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

One.) The solo version of Duane Allman’s “Little Martha” by Mac McAnally was a delightful treat. That man can pick it. His take on this classic was unique and refreshing as a cold Corona on a hot day. I’m even willing to say publicly that the musicians in the Coral Reefer Band are underrated.

To that point, the energy year after year from band leader Michael Utley is as powerful as Jimmy’s and has driven this conga-laden party for more than three decades.

Too.) Last but not least, the fat smiles of grown men wearing coconut bras always make me think of a fallen Parrothead friend (Mike Young, aka “The Frontman of Manderville”). He was definitely one of the “good guys” and his always cheery attitude is missed by many.

His spirit lives at these parking lot parties with all the good natured fun. In this song tribute (click here) the line “Coconut bras gone sloppy” is direct reference to the Buffett parking lot and Mike.

Tres.) I true Parrothead fashion, I wrote this story sitting in a make shift tiki hut in Asbury Park…of course, while “nibbling on spongecake and watching the sun bake all of them tourists covered with oil”.

Flap you wings.
Peace.

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