WRIGLEYVILLE — Jimmy Buffett, the musician who spent a decade convincing officials to allow concerts at Wrigley Field, will return to the Friendly Confines in July for the first time since 2005.
Buffett will perform at the ballpark July 15 with the Coral Reefer Band, featuring Huey Lewis and The News. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Feb. 10.
Best known for hits like "Margaritaville" and "Cheeseburger in Paradise," Buffett has performed for presidents and Parrotheads alike. While first describing his music as "drunken Caribbean rock 'n' roll," Buffett's gulf and western style turned him into a best-seller.
In September 2005, Buffett played two shows at Wrigley, covering three songs by Chicago folk legend and Cubs fan Steve Goodman. A live recording of the show was later released.
The last time Buffett played Wrigley Field, the ballpark was a very different place.
With the Cubs still owned by Tribune Co. at the time, Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) sought to limit the club to two stadium concerts per year, which later expanded to four.
Cubs officials fretted over ballpark turf and crowd noise, with the then-president Andy MacPhail pledging there wouldn't be another rock concert for two years after Buffett's show.
"It's not our core business," he told the Tribune. "If we do it again, it will have to be the right performer under the right circumstances."
Under the club's current ownership, the Cubs have drastically expanded the number of concerts at Wrigley Field over the past three years.
As part of the night game ordinance, the Cubs can elect to have more concerts in lieu of night games. Last year, there were six concerts, including performances by Phish, James Taylor, Pearl Jam, Billy Joel and Luke Bryan.
Along with Jimmy Buffett, the 2017 summer concert series so far includes Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (June 29), Dead & Company (June 30 and July 1), James Taylor with Bonnie Raitt (July 17), Billy Joel (Aug. 11), Green Day (Aug. 24) and Zac Brown Band (Aug. 26).
The Cubs and Wrigley Field are 95 percent owned by an entity controlled by a trust established for the benefit of the family of Joe Ricketts, owner and CEO of DNAinfo.com. Joe Ricketts has no direct involvement in the management of the iconic team.
