Marvin Gardens' Obituary

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Marvin Gardens' Obituary

Legendary Entertainer Marvin Gardens Dead at 42

Sarasota Herald-Tribune...1 April, 1989

Marvin Gardens, the wry and witty singer/songwriter noted for his risque lyrics and "life on the edge", died of a massive coronary-infarction today at the Sarasota Rock 'n' Roll Rest Home, according to a statement released by the Sarasota County Coroner's Office and officials at the home. He was 42.

Mr. Gardens, best known for the song "Why Don't We Get Drunk," which was popularized by singer Jimmy Buffett in the early '70s, was an early influence in the "gonzo" style of music that included Jerry Jeff Walker, the late Steve Goodman and Mr. Buffett. "Gonzo," a term borrowed from author Hunter S. Thompson, describes the crazy, almost insane, lyrics and tunes of some late '60s and early '70s post-folk melodies.

Mr. Gardens had been in the home permanently since a 1981 stroke -which ironically occured on the same day that his old musical partner, Buffett, released his 'Somewhere Over China' LP. Reports indicated that Mr. Gardens was listening to a promotional copy of Mr. Buffett's 'Off to See the Lizard' release when he declared, "Oh no - this can't be happening!" He collapsed and was pronounced dead by the resident physician at the home.

Mr. Gardens, the scion of a prominent Atlantic City, N.J. family, had not performed in public in some time. He is credited on several of Mr. Buffett's albums as well as pictured on the cover of Mr. Goodman's "Somebody Else's Troubles" LP. His early collaberations with Mr. Buffett were in New Orleans in the 1960s. While the two had a falling out over Buffett's decision to drop a controversial song Garden's had reportedly written for his 'Havana Daydreamin' LP, the two had partially reconciled although there were no plans to reinstate Gardens in the Coral Reefers for the upcoming tour or any other.

Reached for comment in Los Angeles, Mr. Buffett stated that, "Some people don't even know how close Marvin and I used to be. I'll miss him. We were so very close." He added, "It sort of became an on-running joke. 'Fingers' [Taylor - Buffett's harmonica man] used to call him my alter-ego. It got so bad that some people even wondered if there was actually two people or just one of us. Kind of like Batman and Bruce Wayne. That sort of thing." Recalling their early adventures, Buffett recounts," I'd often sign in to hotels under Marv's name. Marvin never could figure out why Holiday Inn's lawyers kept sending him all those certified letters."

Mr. Gardens' remains will be cremated and spread over the Gulf of Mexico after a private service today. He has no known survivors.

Many thanks to Stu Gittelman for locating this obituary.