Quincy Jones Music Legend Has Died Aged 91

Quincy Jones, the renowned musician and producer who collaborated with icons such as Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra, has passed away at the age of 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 is perhaps most famous for producing Michael Jackson’s seminal album, Thriller. Over a career spanning more than 75 years, he won 28 Grammy Awards and was recognised by Time magazine as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century.

Early in his career, Jones worked closely with Frank Sinatra, famously transforming the classic “Fly Me To The Moon” from a waltz into a swing.

While working on the film The Wiz, Jones collaborated with a young Michael Jackson, later producing Jackson’s Off the Wall album, which sold 20 million copies. He also produced Jackson’s subsequent albums, Thriller and Bad.

In 1985, Jones united 46 of America’s top singers, including Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, and Cyndi Lauper, to record “We Are the World.” Co-written by Jones, the song aimed to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia and became the US counterpart to Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” The track topped charts in both the UK and the US and was performed at Live Aid.

Jones also composed soundtracks for over 50 films and TV programmes, including the 1969 British film The Italian Job. In cinema, he produced The Color Purple, which introduced audiences to Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg. On television, he was a producer for the hit show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Music was where Jones truly excelled. In addition to his multiple Grammy wins, including a Legend Award in 1992, he was also honoured with Emmy, Tony, and Oscar recognitions.

Jones was married three times and had seven children, including music producer Quincy Jones III and actress Rashida Jones, known for her role in the US version of The Office.