Many musicians and fans were shocked last weekend to learn that singer Jimmy Buffett had passed away. Mike Francesa was among those shocked when he heard the news.
In an appearance on Mad Dog Unleashed on SiriusXM Mad Dog Sports Radio on Thursday, Francesa and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo told listeners about the time they both had a chance to meet Buffett at one of his shows.
Both Mad Dog and Francesa thought the meeting took place in the early 90s. Francesa was still working at CBS at the time.
“I got tickets for us to go to Jones Beach I knew someone who worked there,” Francesa said. “And I got him to take us backstage afterward. I had to sit through a Jimmy Buffett concert, and I had no interest, zero. Didn’t want any part of it.”
The tickets were supposed to be a treat for Russo, who was a Buffett fan.
Eventually, Mike and the Mad Dog were introduced to the “Margaritaville” singer, and Francesa was surprised to know that Buffett was very familiar with the Sports Pope.
“We go back there, and lo and behold Jimmy Buffett is my biggest fan,” he said. “I’m trying to get him to talk to Dog, and all he wants to talk about is football and college football and college basketball. It was funny.”
“He loved you!” Russo said.
