Legendary music mogul/producer Quincy Jones passed away at his home in Los Angeles on Sunday evening. He was 91 years old. During his time in the industry, Jones won 28 Grammys out of the 80 nominations he received. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment was helping to shape Michael Jackson into a pop performer of almost mythical proportions, creating the prototype for what it really means to be an international superstar.
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the Jones family went on to write in a statement.
The announcement then stated, “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. He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”
According to information contained in a report from The Daily Wire, “Jones was born on March 14, 1933, and grew up in Chicago. He began his seven-decade musical career as a trumpet player performing with jazz musicians such as Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie.”
Jones worked with a plethora of other major artists throughout his career including Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and even Paul Simon. A number of tributes began popping up all over social media. Famous rapper LL Cool J posted on Instagram that Jones was “a father and example at a time when I truly needed a father and example. Mentor. Role model. King.”
“You gave me opportunities and shared wisdom,” the post continued. “Music would not be music without you. My condolences to the entire family. I love you. Rest in the sweetest music eternally.”
Actor Colman Domingo starred in a remake of “The Color Purple” in 2023. Jones, who scored the 1985 version, served as producer on the film along with Academy Award winner Steven Spielberg. “I was so thrilled to meet Mr. American Music himself. I literally kneeled because he was a King,” Domingo wrote of meeting Jones. “Thank you Mr. Quincy Jones for giving us all the sound.” The musician is survived by seven children and three grandchildren. He was the godfather of his namesake, the actor and musician Quincy Brown.
Many legends have been laid to rest this year and now we’re adding Jones’ name to the list. All of the greats, the trailblazers, those who took risks that no one else would have taken in the world of music, are one-by-one shrugging off this mortal coil and heading into eternity.
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Prayers for Jones’ family in their time of grieving.