Jimmy Buffett is an institution. That doesn’t just mean that the singer-songwriter is a musical icon with a massive fan following and an extensive body of work that spans decades. Buffett is also a literal institution, parlaying his brand of laid-back, beach-friendly folk-rock into a multipronged empire of restaurants, footwear, alcoholic drinks, retirement communities and even frozen foods (among many other products), most bearing the Margaritaville name.
That name comes from Buffett’s biggest hit, a 1977 single that for many years was his only mainstream musical success, even as songs like “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Fins” and “Volcano” inspire huge sing-alongs (and themed costumes) at his concerts. When superstar country artists Alan Jackson and Zac Brown brought Buffett onto country radio thanks to collaborations “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” and “Knee Deep,” it converted a whole new generation of Parrotheads (the affectionate term for Buffett fans).
Joining Buffett for his latest round of shows is classic rocker Boz Scaggs, known for his 1970s hits “Lido Shuffle” and “Lowdown” and his musical mixture of rock and soul. It’s a different kind of laid-back music than Buffett’s, but Buffett is great at knowing what his audience likes, and the two veteran singer-songwriters should complement each other perfectly.
MGM Grand, 8 p.m. Oct. 20, starting at $70 plus tax and fee. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster
