Quincy Jones, the legendary music producer and cultural icon, sadly passed away at 91. His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed the news, revealing that Quincy died on Sunday, November 3, 2024, surrounded by his beloved family members.
In a heartfelt statement, his family expressed their sorrow, saying, “With full but broken hearts, we share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. This is an immense loss for our family, but we choose to celebrate the extraordinary life he lived and recognize that there will never be anyone like him.”
Quincy Jones enjoyed a remarkable career that spanned over 70 years, during which he earned an impressive 28 Grammy Awards out of 80 nominations, solidifying his status as one of the most influential figures in music history. He is best known for producing Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking albums: 'Thriller,' 'Off the Wall,' and 'Bad.' In addition to Michael, his illustrious career included collaborations with music legends such as Aretha Franklin, Donna Summer, George Benson, and Dizzy Gillespie, showcasing his versatile talent across various genres.
Among his numerous accomplishments, Quincy co-wrote and produced the iconic charity single 'We Are The World,' which brought together an extraordinary lineup of artists to raise money for famine relief in Africa. Additionally, he composed film scores for numerous movies, demonstrating his proficiency not just as a producer but also as a composer.
In the realm of television and film, he founded a successful production company in 1990, which thrived with culturally significant projects such as 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' and 'The Color Purple.' His innovative spirit continued into the 21st century when he launched Qwest TV in 2017, an on-demand music video service aimed at promoting diverse global music styles.
Born in Chicago in 1933, Quincy experienced a significant shift in his early life when he moved to Washington state with his father following his parents’ divorce. Even as a teenager, he was destined for greatness, playing in a band with a young Ray Charles and providing backing for the legendary Billie Holiday. After studying music at university, he relocated to New York City, where he caught the attention of jazz band leader Lionel Hampton, landing a position that soon had him performing trumpet for Elvis Presley during The King’s inaugural television appearances.
Quincy’s early career saw him working as a producer and arranger for Mercury Records while simultaneously scoring films. His groundbreaking nomination at the 1968 Oscars as the first African American nominee for Best Original Song for 'The Eyes of Love' from the film Banning marked the beginning of a fruitful path that would earn him a total of seven Academy Award nominations.
Remarkably, Quincy’s life was marked by dramatic near-misses, including a brush with death involving Charles Manson’s cult. He narrowly avoided the tragedy that struck Sharon Tate’s home on the night of the infamous murders, having forgotten about his plans to visit. In 1974, he faced another life-threatening challenge when he survived a brain aneurysm, showcasing his resilience and will to live.
Throughout his life, Quincy Jones experienced three marriages. His first marriage was to Jeri Caldwell, his high school sweetheart, with whom he had a daughter, Jolie. He then married Ulla Andersson, from 1967 to 1974, with whom he had a son, Quincy Jr., and a daughter, Martina. His most publicized marriage was to actress Peggy Lipton; they tied the knot shortly after his second divorce in the same year but eventually divorced in 1989. With Peggy, he welcomed two daughters, Rashida and Kidada. He also had a daughter named Rachel from a brief relationship with Carol Reynolds and a son, Kenya, with actress Nastassja Kinski.
Quincy Jones leaves behind a legacy that transcends music, having profoundly influenced generations of artists and entertainers around the world. His contributions to the music industry and culture at large will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.
