The Coral Reefer Band, long associated with the late Jimmy Buffett, has shared their intention to “keep the vibe alive” in honor of Buffett’s wishes.
“Jimmy saw us as family and wanted the music to continue. And that’s exactly what we intend to do,” Mac McAnally, the band’s singer and guitarist, expressed to Billboard recently. While the exact path forward remains uncertain, McAnally assured fans, “We’re dedicated to finding a way that does justice to the legacy we’ve been a part of.”
He added with enthusiasm, “We’re working on it. We’re yearning to perform again, to share that electric connection with our fans. It’s hard to say who enjoys it more – the audience or us.”
The band currently includes Michael Utley on keyboards (a member since the 1970s), Robert Greenidge on steel drums, Peter Mayer as a guitarist and vocalist, Jim Mayer on bass, Roger Guth on drums, Doyle Grisham on steel pedal guitar, John Lovell on trumpet, Eric Darken on percussion, and vocalists Tina Gullickson and Nadirah Shakoor.
Their last performance with Buffett was on May 6th in San Diego. Yet, during a July 2nd show in Rhode Island, McAnally and Buffett united on stage, serenading fans with hits like “Margaritaville” and “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.”
Sadly, Jimmy Buffett passed away last September at 76, following a long fight with skin cancer and lymphoma. His final album, “Equal Strain on All Parts,” featuring a collaboration with Paul McCartney titled “My Gummie Just Kicked In,” will be posthumously launched later this week.
