Parrothead do’s and don’t’s
Dave Hoekstra, who started attending Jimmy Buffett concerts in 1981 and has seen the singer-songwriter 38 times, shares tips for first-timers:
Fans are ‘Parrotheads’
The name was pegged by Timothy B. Schmit, a member of the Eagles, Poco and Buffett’s touring band. Schmit came up with the name after surveying 25,000 well-oiled music lovers. It was a spinoff of “Deadheads,” who generally smoke a lot more dope than “Parrotheads.”
The ‘Phins’ thing
One of Buffett’s most popular anthems is “Fins,” about a girl from Cincinnati looking for some peace and quiet.
JIMMY BUFFETT
Cued by the first few notes, fans immediately raise their arms in the shape of sharks and sway back and forth to the tropical rhythm. It looks like some kind of Santeria ritual in Cuba.
Grass skirts, coconut bras
Acceptable for women. And men.
Flip-flops are popular in When: 8 p.m. Saturday Where: Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island, 1300 S. Lynn White Dr. Tickets: $49-$158 Info: (800) 745-3000; concerts.livenation.com Buffett songs, but not Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House tank tops.
The basic dress code: “Nothing you would wear to work or church!,” says Billy Brehm, president of the Chicago Parrothead Club.
Tailgating
“No martinis,” Brehm says. “Don’t get too drunk before the show.”
At the show
“Don’t sit down,” Brehm advises. That has annoyed Buffett virgins who have accompanied me to his concerts.
Beach balls
Really, this is the only part of a Buffett concert I don’t like. Too many beach balls can knock over your beer.