Quincy Jones, the legendary record producer and 28-time Grammy winner known for working with stars like Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson, has passed away at the age of 91. His representative confirmed that he died on November 3 at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, surrounded by family.
Over his decades-long career, Jones earned a place as one of the most celebrated musicians and producers in history, especially for his collaborations with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, and Ray Charles.
The Fateful Meeting Between Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson
In fact, it was Jones’s first encounter with Michael Jackson that later established him as one of the world’s most successful music producers. Jones not only produced Jackson’s 1982 album Thriller, the best-selling album of all time, but his work also spanned composing film scores, including for In Cold Blood (1967) and The Color Purple (1985). Jones also had a prominent career in television, serving as the executive producer of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the show that propelled actor Will Smith to stardom.
Another soundtrack he produced was for The Wiz, the 1978 musical adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, starring Diana Ross and a 19-year-old Michael Jackson, who was aiming to break out after his childhood fame with the Jackson 5.
Jones recognized Jackson’s superstar potential and became his producer and mentor, beginning with the 1979 album Off the Wall, a major hit. He followed with Thriller in 1982, which reached new heights of commercial success and critical acclaim, establishing Jackson as the undisputed King of Pop.
This album not only showcased Jackson’s talent but also marked the pinnacle of Jones’s career, where he used his unparalleled musical expertise to define the 1980s sound with a sophisticated, seamless blend of R&B and pop.
Legacy and Heirs
From record sales and royalties to multimedia companies and real estate, Jones’s seven children—including actress daughter Rashida Jones—are set to inherit a vast fortune following his passing.
After spending much of his early career touring with jazz bands, Jones received a major breakthrough from Mercury Records president Irving Green, who personally loaned him funds and appointed him vice president of Mercury, making Jones the first Black executive in that position.
