Quincy Jones, the legendary musician and producer who collaborated with artists like Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra, has passed away at 91.
His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed that Jones “passed away peacefully” on Sunday night at his home in Bel Air.
In a heartfelt statement, his family shared, “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing.
Although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”
Jones, known for producing Michael Jackson’s iconic Thriller album, had a career that spanned over 75 years and earned him 28 Grammy awards.
Time magazine recognized him as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century. Early in his career, he worked closely with Frank Sinatra, transforming Fly Me to the Moon from a waltz to a swing.
His collaboration with Michael Jackson began on the set of The Wiz, where Jones first met a young Jackson.
Their partnership led to Jackson’s Off the Wall album, which sold 20 million copies, as well as the groundbreaking albums Thriller and Bad.
In 1985, Jones brought together 46 American music stars, including Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, and Cyndi Lauper, to record We Are the World.
Co-written by Jones, the song was created to support famine relief in Ethiopia and became a global hit, reaching number one in both the UK and US. It was also performed at Live Aid.
Jones’ contributions extended to film and television. He composed music for over 50 films and TV shows, including The Italian Job (1969), and produced The Color Purple, which introduced Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg.
He also co-produced the TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Beyond music, Jones’ legacy includes multiple Grammy wins, including a Legend Award in 1992, along with recognition from the Emmys, Tonys, and Oscars.
He was married three times and had seven children, among them music producer Quincy Jones III and actress Rashida Jones, known for The Office.
The Jones family honored him as “truly one of a kind” and said that “through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”
Playwright Jeremy O’Harris called Jones’ contributions to American culture “limitless,” noting his historic Oscar nomination for best score.
LL Cool J, who briefly dated Jones’ daughter Kidada, remembered him as a mentor, saying, “Music would not be music without you.”
Singer Darius Rucker called him “one of the all-time greats,” while British DJ Tony Blackburn described him as a “musical genius.”
Source-BBC
