Quincy Jones, the legendary musician and producer known for shaping the sounds of Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and countless others, has passed away peacefully at his Bel Air home at the age of 91. His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed the news, sharing that Jones died peacefully on Sunday night.
In a heartfelt statement, Jones’ family expressed, “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we share the news of our father and brother Quincy’s passing. While this loss is profound, we celebrate his extraordinary life, knowing there will never be another like him.”
Quincy Jones’ groundbreaking career spanned more than 75 years, and his influence on music is unmatched. Known widely as the producer behind Michael Jackson’s landmark Thriller album, Jones transformed popular music through his distinctive approach to sound and collaboration. With 28 Grammy Awards to his name, he was also recognized by Time magazine as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century.
Early in his career, Jones collaborated closely with Frank Sinatra, notably reimagining the classic “Fly Me to the Moon” as a swing tune, departing from its original waltz form. His versatility in production allowed him to cross genres seamlessly, elevating each project he touched.
In 1978, Jones worked on The Wiz, where he met a young Michael Jackson, then just 19 years old. This partnership blossomed into the production of Jackson’s Off the Wall album, which sold an impressive 20 million copies. He continued producing Jackson’s next albums, Thriller and Bad, solidifying Jackson’s place as a global superstar.
Jones’ work extended beyond albums. In 1985, he brought together 46 of America’s most popular artists, including Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, and Cyndi Lauper, to record the iconic anthem We Are the World. Co-written by Jones, the song aimed to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. The charity single soared to number one in both the UK and the US and became a central piece in the historic Live Aid concert, standing as the American counterpart to Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas.
