The Coral Reefer Band
Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band perform during their Summerzcool Tour in June 2009.
Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band perform during their Summerzcool Tour in June 2009.
Background information
OriginU.S.
Genres
Years active1974–present
Labels
Members
Past members

The Coral Reefer Band is the touring and recording band of American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett (until Buffett's death in September 2023). The band's name alludes to both coral reefs (in line with Buffett's tropical-themed music) and "reefer" (slang for marijuana).

Fingers Taylor, an original Coral Reefer, would discover Buffett performing solo one evening at The Hub on the University of Southern Mississippi campus in 1970.[2] This resulted in Taylor contributing harmonica accompaniment for part of the performance, the beginning of their long-term collaboration. The band performed their final concert with Buffett on May 6, 2023, in San Diego, about three and a half months before Buffett's death in September of that year.[3] On October 30, 2023, Mac McAnally stated in an interview that the Coral Reefer Band would continue touring and performing Buffett's music at his request.[4]

Current line-up

As of 2023, the band's lineup consists of:[5]

  • Doyle Grisham – pedal steel guitar (1974–1976, 1981, 1998-present)
  • Michael Utley – keyboards (1975–present)
  • Robert Greenidge – steel drums (1983–present)
  • Peter Mayer – lead guitar, vocals (1989–present)
  • Jim Mayer – bass, vocals (1989–present)
  • Roger Guth – drums (1989–present)
  • John Lovell – trumpet (1992–present)
  • Mac McAnally – vocals, rhythm and lead guitars, dobro, slide guitar (1994–present)
  • Tina Gullickson – vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar (1995–present)
  • Nadirah Shakoor – vocals (1995–present)
  • Eric Darken – percussion (2011–present)

Former members

Other former members of the Coral Reefer Band include:

  • Jimmy Buffett – Vocals, rhythm guitar, ukulele (1974–2023; died 2023)
  • Philip Fajardo – Drums (1975–1976)
  • Tim Drummond – Bass Guitar (1986–1988)
  • Ralph MacDonald – Percussion (1974–2011; died 2011)
  • Jerry Jeff Walker – Guitar, background vocals, composer
  • Marshall Chapman – guitar, background vocals (1987); co-writer "Last Mango in Paris," writer "The Perfect Partner"
  • Lanny Fiel – Guitar
  • Rick Fiel – Bass guitar
  • Dave Haney – Bass guitar
  • Paul Tabet – Drums
  • Bergen White – Trombone
  • Daniel "Stiles" Francisco – Trumpet
  • Bobby Thompson – Banjo
  • Hamilton Camp – Guitar
  • Doug Bartenfeld – Guitar
  • Jay Oliver – Keyboards
  • Randy Goodrum – Keyboards
  • Buzz Cason – Keyboards, background vocals
  • Don Kloetzke – Background vocals
  • Roger Bartlett – Acoustic guitar, electric guitar, harmony vocals (1974–1977) (the original guitarist; traveled with Jimmy as a duo in the early days)
  • Michael Jeffry – lead guitar, harmony vocals
  • Josh Leo – guitar
  • Vince Melamed – keyboards
  • Tony Pace – Drums
  • Timothy B. Schmit – bass, vocals (Schmit coined the term Parrotheads)
  • "Blind" Jay Spell – keyboards – (Died 2011)
  • Greg "Fingers" Taylor – vocals, harmonica, keyboards, percussion (1975–2000, 2007)
  • T.C. Mitchell – saxophones and flute (1994–2005)
  • Amy Lee – saxophone. Co-writer of "Fruitcakes". (1991–2005)
  • Mary Harris – Background vocals and vocal arrangements.
  • Barry Chance – lead guitar background vocals. (Died 2010)
  • Hadley Hockensmith – Bass
  • Claudia Cummings – Background vocals
  • Andy McMahon – Organ, Fender Rhodes
  • Bob Naylor – Mouth Organ, backing vocals
  • Harry Dailey – Bass, background vocals. Co-writer "Volcano." (1975–1982; died 2003)
  • Matt Betton – Drums
  • M.L. Benoit – Congas and percussion, background vocals
  • David Briggs – Piano
  • Dr. Kino Bachellier – Shakers and French
  • Norbert Putnam – Upright bass
  • Dominic Cortese – Accordion
  • Deborah McColl – Background vocals
  • Rich Calhoun - Drums
  • David "Cool" Persons – Guitars, Vocals
  • Reggie Young – Electric lead guitar
  • Mike Gardner – Drums – (Died 1991)
  • Ed "Lump" Williams – Bass guitar
  • Sammy Creason – Drums
  • Phil Royster – Congas
  • Johnny Gimble – Fiddle
  • Shane Keister – Moog synthesizer
  • Kenny Buttrey – Drums and Percussion (1977–1978)
  • Vassar Clements – Fiddle
  • Ferrell Morris – Percussion
  • Sam Clayton – Congas and Percussion (1982–1988)
  • Larry Lee – Guitar, Drums, Keyboards
  • Tim Krekel – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Brie Howard – Percussion, Vocals
  • Russ Kunkel – Drums
  • Keith Sykes – Guitar

Timeline

Honorary members and special guests

Many artists have recorded and/or appeared on stage with Buffett, earning them status as honorary Coral Reefers.[6] Some of the more notable names are listed here.

References

  1. ↑ Steve Eng (October 15, 1997). Jimmy Buffett: The Man from Margaritaville Revealed. St. Martin's Press. p. 226. ISBN 978-0-312-16875-9.
  2. ↑ "The Hub Where Buffett Met "Fingers"". Read the Plaque. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  3. ↑ Varga, George (September 2, 2023). "Jimmy Buffett, dead at 76: His final concert with his band was on May 6 in San Diego. Here's our review". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  4. ↑ Newman, Melinda (October 30, 2023). "Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band Plans to 'Party On' Following Singer's Death". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  5. ↑ Paul, Larisha (October 31, 2023). "Coral Reefer Band Will 'Keep the Party Going' in Honor of Jimmy Buffett". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  6. ↑ "BuffettNews.com – The Coral Reefer Band". October 27, 2007. Archived from the original on October 27, 2007. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.