Statement from Riverbend Music Center:
"The history of Riverbend Music Center cannot be written without acknowledging the impact of Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefers. Buffett performed 54 sold-out concerts over 3 decades and created millions of memories for all of us. Every summer, we could always count on him to bring the good vibes to Riverbend, and he never let us down.
The annual pilgrimage to the river signaled the time to break out Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts, leis, and even coconut bras for THE event of summer. After all, Cincinnati was the birthplace of the affectionate term “Parrothead.” Bassist Timothy B. Schmit coined the term after a 1985 performance at Timberwolf Amphitheater likening the sea of fans to not Deadheads, but a bunch of Parrotheads. It’s a term this great city proudly wears as a badge of honor, with fans showing unwavering dedication year after years selling out his concerts.
Jimmy Buffett never failed to transform Riverbend Music Center into a paradise for the evenings he shared his laid-back tunes. During the height of Buffettmania fans flocked to the venue for five consecutive sold-out shows, exemplifying their devotion to the tropical troubadour. Every brightly-clad, beachy-looking fan infused the venue with smiles and good vibes whilst searching for their lost shaker of salt and tossing their fins in the air. After all, we’re in Fincinnati.
Our little slice of Margaritaville heaven was something we looked forward to every summer, a chance to connect with fans from all walks of life. The realization that those days are behind us is heartbreaking, but the memories will live on for the man who made it all happen. We will deeply miss this unofficial summer holiday spent with thousands of friends and our clocks perpetually set to 5 o’clock. The special bond our city shares with this son of a son of a sailor will never be forgotten.
In the words of the man himself: “If there's a heaven for me, I'm sure it has a beach attached.” From the bottom of our hearts, rest in paradise, Jimmy Buffett."