Jimmy Buffett Dedicates ‘Scarlet Begonias’ Cover To Jerry Garcia In Maine

Jimmy Buffett honored Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia during his Tuesday concert in Bangor, Maine. Buffett dedicated a cover of “Scarlet Begonias” to Jerry at the Maine Savings Amphitheater one day after the late guitarist’s 80th birthday.

The 28-song show commenced following a rain delay. Jimmy took an opportunity towards the end of his main set to say a few words about Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. Buffett reflected on a week in which his band played two concerts after the Dead performed two of their own. “Boy, I looked at that audience and I said, ‘I know who’s been to all four shows.’ They showed it,” the 75-year-old musician told the crowd.

“So, for all you Deadheads out there and Parrotheads — I’m a little of both here — we love to do this song,” Buffett added. “Jerry, wherever you are, here you go,” the “Margaritaville” singer exclaimed before leading his band through “Scarlet Begonias.” Jimmy Buffett first performed the Hunter/Garcia classic at his Margaritaville Key West club on December 5, 2003 as per Setlist.FM. Over 100 additional versions followed over the years including two previous “Scarlet Begonias” covers in 2022.

Watch fan-shot video featuring last night’s dedication and “Scarlet Begonias” below:

The rest of last night’s show featured plenty of Buffett’s most beloved songs including “Cheeseburger In Paradise,” “Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes,” “A Pirate Looks At Forty” and “Margaritaville.” Jimmy and his Coral Reefer Band also fit a number of covers into the mix in addition to “Scarlet Begonias” such as CSN’s “Southern Cross,” Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” and Alan Jackson’s “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” Plus, Coral Reefer Band guitarist Mac McAnally paid tribute to Duane Allman and The Allman Brothers Band with a solo “Little Martha.”

Setlist

Source: JamBase.com