Quincy Delight Jones, legendary American record producer- songwriter-composer, whose career spanned over 75 years, has died at the age of 91.
Jones’ publicist, Arnold Robinson, said on Mondat he “passed away peacefully” on Sunday night at his home in Bel Air, according to BBC.
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And 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,” the family said in a statement.
The towering figure in his career of 75 years won several accolades including 28 Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award and a Tony Award as well as nominations for seven Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards.
Jones was named as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century by Time magazine and worked with legendary artists like Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and Michael Jackson, notably producing Jackson’s record-breaking Thriller album.
His innovative approach redefined popular music, as exemplified by his rearrangement of Sinatra’s Fly Me to the Moon from waltz into a swinging classic.
In1985, Jones gathered 46 of America’s most popular singers of the time, including Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner and Cyndi Lauper, to record ‘We Are the World’. He co-wrote the song in order to raise money for those suffering from a devastating famine in Ethiopia, which later became US equivalent to Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ and the record became a hit in the UK and the US and was performed at Live Aid.
His talents also made an impact on film and television. Jones composed the scores for over 50 films, including The Italian Job, and produced the Oscar-nominated The Color Purple, which introduced Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg to global audiences. On television, he co-produced the hit series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, starring Will Smith, shaping yet another pop culture milestone.
Tributes poured in from across the entertainment world.
Michael Caine, who starred in The Italian Job, paid tribute to Jones on X, calling him “a titan in the musical world”.
“He was a wonderful and unique human being, lucky to have known him.”
Sir Elton John also praised Jones and said “nobody had a career as incredible” as him, writing: “He played with the best and he produced the best. What a guy. Loved him.”
TV producer Shonda Rhimes called him “a legend, a visionary, a pioneer”.
Dr Dre posted on Insta: “Quincy is the reason I decided to become a record producer,” adding that time he had spent “hanging out with him was priceless”.
Jones leaves behind a legacy which redefined American Music.
