Jimmy Buffett Hospitalized After Fall from Stage

Jimmy Buffett was rushed to a hospital in Australia today after he fell off the stage during a concert ... and it appears flashing lights from the lighting director may have triggered the fall that left him unconscious ... TMZ has learned.

TMZ has confirmed the 64-year-old singer was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney after he crashed into a large gap in front of the stage during the show's finale at Hordern Pavilion.

An audience member in the front row tells TMZ it appeared Buffett was unconscious for about 5-10 minutes and that he had a huge gash on his head. Paramedics arrived 15 minutes later.

Sean Fogarty, who was also front and center, tells TMZ Jimmy was doing an encore at the end of the concert called "Lovely Cruise" and walking along the edge of the stage when the lighting person splashed "a huge flash of light" along the stage, making it impossible to see and he fell. Fogarty says the next thing he knew he heard Buffett's head strike the metal on his way to the floor.

Another audience member who was close to the stage, tells TMZ a slightly different story .... that it looked as if Buffett was about to jump off the stage to shake hands when he misjudged the jump and fell. The audience member also says he saw Buffett's head strike a metal strip on his way down.

The light flash lasted 10 seconds and no one even knew Buffett had fallen until the flashing ceased.

We're told doctors at St. Vincent's are still assessing his injury.

UPDATE: We're told Buffett is in stable condition and will stay in the hospital for observation.

Jimmy Buffett's Frightening Fall -- Caught on Tape

Jimmy Buffett plummeted off the stage in Australia last night and crashed HARD into the concrete floor -- and the devastating accident was all captured on tape ... and obtained by TMZ.

The footage shows Buffett casually strolling towards the front of the stage when he clearly misjudges the end ... and literally steps off the edge.

Moments after Buffett hit the ground, security rushed to the singer's aid.

As we first reported, Jimmy appeared to be knocked unconscious for 10-15 minutes after the fall -- and suffered a nasty gash on his head. Jimmy was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney and is in stable condition.

UPDATE: According to Buffett's website he is "doing well and will be released tomorrow."

Kings To Call Power Balance Pavilion Home, Never Fall Down Again

The Sacramento Kings' ARCO Arena will be transformed into Power Balance Pavilion next month, reports SB Nation blog Sactown Royalty. You may recognize Power Balance as the snake oil salesmen who pitch rad bracelets that purport to imbue their wearers with superpowers like "awesome balance" and "sweet power." Power Balance, however, recently admitted these superpowers are nonexistent.

Essentially then, these are neat looking placebos to be used for decoration. Interestingly enough, that's just what DeMarcus Cousins, star of the Kings and wearer of Power Balance bands, had already thought of them before learning of his home court's new name.

From NBA.com reporter and all-around swell dude Jimmy Spencer:

I asked DeMarcus Cousins weeks ago if the Power Balances he wears on both wrists work. He laughed, "Hell no! These are just for decoration."

Well there you have have it; we will, however, see if Cousins changes his tune once Power Balance presents fat endorsement checks they've used to woo players like Lamar Odom, Shaquille O'Neal, Derrick Rose and Brandon Jennings.

Meanwhile, The Basketball Jones has endeavored to redesign the Kings' logo in light of the news.