Quincy Jones, a legendary figure in pop music, is best known for producing Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller,’ the best-selling album ever. With over 28 Grammy Awards and a career spanning seven decades, he also excelled as a composer and arranger for icons like Frank Sinatra. His collaborations with Jackson, including ‘Off the Wall’ and ‘Bad,’ reshaped the music landscape. Jones, who led a colorful personal life, passed away at 91, leaving a lasting legacy in the music industry.
Even if Quincy Jones had only been known for producing Michael Jackson’s iconic album ‘Thriller,’ he would still hold a prominent place in the pantheon of pop music. Released in 1982, this record remains the best-selling album of all time. Yet, the music maestro, who left us at the age of 91, was far more than just the creative force behind the King of Pop.
Over the course of his remarkable career, which spanned more than seven decades, Quincy Jones amassed an impressive collection of accolades, including 28 Grammy Awards from 80 nominations. This achievement places him just behind Beyoncé, who holds the record for the most Grammys in the non-classical category.
Quincy Jones earned the Grammy for Best Album on two occasions: first for ‘Thriller’ and later for ‘Back on the Block.’ This album is particularly significant as it features Jones not only as a producer but also as a prominent artist. ‘Back on the Block’ showcases collaborations with legends from jazz, soul, and hip-hop, making it a testament to his diverse musical journey.
Early Musical Influences and Collaboration with Frank Sinatra
Quincy Jones’s passion for music ignited with jazz. As a teenager, he famously broke into a veterans’ home just to play the piano. He later pursued formal education in music, mastering various wind instruments before settling on the trumpet. At just 14, he formed a friendship with the two-year-older Ray Charles, a partnership that would flourish in the years to come. Jones received a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music at 17 but opted to tour with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra instead.
By the mid-1950s, Quincy Jones was making waves not only as a performer but also behind the scenes. He wrote, arranged, and produced for some of the biggest names in jazz and swing, including Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, and Frank Sinatra.
Breaking into the Pop Mainstream with Michael Jackson
The 1960s marked a significant turning point as Jones entered the predominantly white pop music scene, most notably as the producer for Leslie Gore’s hit ‘It’s My Party.’ In 1968, he became the first African American to receive two Oscar nominations in a single year for ‘The Eyes of Love’ from the film ‘25,000 Dollars for a Man’ and for his score in ‘In Cold Blood.’ Film scoring became another crucial facet of his illustrious career, with works like ‘In the Heat of the Night’ and ‘The Color Purple’ to his credit.
In the late 1970s, Jones crossed paths with Michael Jackson, producing the groundbreaking album ‘Off the Wall’ in 1979, which marked Jackson’s rise as a solo superstar. This album set records as the most successful release by an African American artist at the time. The collaboration continued with the legendary ‘Thriller,’ which shattered records and bridged the gap between black and white music. Their final joint effort, ‘Bad,’ was released in 1987, following the production of the charity anthem ‘We Are the World,’ co-written by Jackson and Lionel Richie, which became one of the best-selling songs ever.
A Colorful Personal Life
Quincy Jones’s personal life was as vibrant as his musical career. He was married three times, including to Swedish model Ulla Andersson, and fathered seven children with five different women.
Among his six daughters is model Kenya Kinski-Jones, aged 31, from his relationship with the actress Nastassja Kinski, with whom he was involved from 1992 to 1995. Quincy Jones passed away surrounded by family on November 3 in Los Angeles, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire musicians worldwide.