'Margaritaville' singer Jimmy Buffett dies at 76

Jimmy Buffett, a singer and businessman known for iconic tropical rock anthems like "Margaritaville," "Come Monday" and "Fins," died Saturday at the age of 76.

The singer "passed away peacefully ... surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs," according to a statement posted on Buffett's official Instagram page. He "lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many," the statement added. Buffett's website later released a separate statement saying he had died from Merkel cell skin cancer, a rare form of carcinoma.

A native of Pascagoula, Mississippi, Buffett began his career as a folk-country singer in the early 1970s. It was a trip to Key West, Florida, in 1971 that "would give Jimmy the inspiration to merge his musicality, wanderlust and storytelling," Buffett's official biography said. Described as "the last outpost of smugglers, con men, artists and free spirits," Key West became a crucial chapter in Buffett's life.

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While "Come Monday" was released first, it was 1977's "Margaritaville" that made Buffett a household name. The song came to epitomize the island lifestyle and peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Earlier this year, "Margaritaville" was entered into the National Recording Registry, with the Library of Congress saying the song was "as well known and omnipresent as ever — a regular component of bars, beach parties, karaoke and any place cool vibes are required." Buffett launched the popular Margaritaville restaurant chain based on the song's lyrics.

Buffett was also known for his rabid fans, called the Parrotheads, who often followed him around the country. Buffett described the Parrotheads in 2012 as "the social network before there was a social network" because they "had something in common; they shared things," The Associated Press reported.