It’s been nearly 31 years since Jimmy Buffett’s first live album was released, and now you can finally get the double live You Had To Be There at iTunes and AmazonMP3!

You Had To Be There was recorded live in Atlanta and Miami in the fall of 1978. If you’ve never heard it, it’s unlike any of the other live albums, featuring lots of energy and several songs you’ve probably never heard live before.

Preview the tracks below:

Get the live album now at iTunes for $11.99 or at AmazonMP3 for $9.49.

(hat tip Mike)

The East Hampton Star reports that Jimmy Buffett rescued a kid while surfing over the weekend:

Yesterday afternoon, the state police closed off Montauk Point, Turtle Cove, etc. to surfers or anyone else. Surfers turned back, bummed. Great surf at the lighthouse right.

Jimmy Buffett, on his standup board, saved a kid who had gone out on a body board with no swim fins and got caught in the rip heading out to sea.

(Hat tip Jahfin)

A recent poll by the Palm Beach Post asked residents to name their favorite Palm Beach icon and Jimmy Buffett came in third.

Who is your favorite iconic Palm Beach County person? — came down to three men: The Golden Bear, the Bandit and the Man from Margaritaville.

In the end, the Bear won out.

Jack Nicklaus won the Taking Your Pulse poll for favorite local icon with 30 percent of the vote. More than 1,700 votes were cast, making this the second most popular poll so far.

Burt Reynolds ended up in second place at 15.8 percent, while Jimmy Buffett took third at 10.3 percent.

Rounding out the top five are comic Larry The Cable Guy at 3.9 percent and radio personality Rush Limbaugh at 3.7 percent.

Here are some photos from Jimmy’s surprise appearance at Stephen Talkhouse last night on Long Island, courtesy of Kevin. Read about the show.

Jimmy Buffett made a surprise appearance at the Stephen Talkhouse on Long Island Monday night. Typically Ilo Ferreira is the opening act for Buffett, but tonight Jimmy was the opener.

Savannah Buffett posted this video before they took the stage:

Jimmy and Ilo had esteemed guests at the show… reportedly Bill Clinton was in the house.