Legendary Music Producer Quincy Jones Passes Away at 91
American music producer, arranger, and composer Quincy Jones passed away on Sunday in Bel Air, Los Angeles, at the age of 91. His spokesperson, Arnold Robinson, announced the news on Sunday, though no cause of death was specified.
Jones was one of the most influential figures in American pop music over the past sixty years. ‘We have lost one of the greatest forces in American pop music of the past half-century,’ Robinson stated in his announcement.
Jones gained fame as the producer of Michael Jackson’s 1982 album “Thriller,” which became the best-selling album of all time. In his seventy-year career, he won 28 Grammy Awards and was honored with the prestigious Grammy Legend Award in 1992.
Born in Chicago in 1933, Jones developed from a jazz trumpeter into a versatile musical talent. He collaborated with legendary artists such as Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and Michael Jackson. In addition to his work as a producer, he composed film scores and became the first African American musical director of the Academy Awards in 1971.
As the producer of “We Are the World” in 1985, he brought together the biggest stars in the American music industry for charity. Jones was also an active social activist, supporting various causes, including his own Quincy Jones Listen Up Foundation.
Jones leaves behind a rich musical legacy and is survived by seven children, including actresses Rashida and Kidada Jones.
His passing marks the end of an era in American music history, during which he played a crucial role in bridging various musical styles and breaking racial barriers in the entertainment industry.
