Famous American musician and producer Quincy Jones passed away at the age of 91. Jones worked with music giants such as Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles. His death was announced by his spokesperson Arnold Robinson. He breathed his last peacefully at his home in Bel Air.
“We are deeply saddened tonight, but the great life Quincy Jones lived will continue to be an inspiration to us,” the family said in a statement.
Quincy Jones is mostly known for producing Michael Jackson’s Thriller album. In a career spanning 75 years, he won 28 Grammy Awards and was named by Time magazine as one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century.
He recorded several songs with Sinatra, including a cover of Fly Me to the Moon. He worked with 19- year- old Michael Jackson during the making of The Wiz. He later produced Jackson’s albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad. Of those, the Thriller album sold over 34 million copies in the US alone.
In 1985, Jones brought together 46 of America’s leading singers to create the famous song We Are the World. The song, created to raise funds for famine victims in Ethiopia, reached number 1 in the US and the UK. The song was also performed in Live Aid.
In addition to music, Jones has composed music for over 50 films and TV shows. He was praised for his music for the British film The Italian Job. The film’s star Michael Caine paid tribute to Jones on Twitter, calling him a “musical legend”. Singer Sir Elton John also paid tribute to Jones and praised his phenomenal career.
Jones produced the film The Color Purple, which brought fame to Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg. He also contributed to the creation of the TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. He has won several Grammy Awards in music, including the “Grammy Legend” award in 1992. She has also been honored with Grammys, Emmys, Tonys and Oscars.
Jones was married three times and had seven children, including music producer Quincy Jones III and actress Rashida Jones. LL Cool J was once romantically involved with his daughter Kidada Jones. He called Jones a mentor, a role model and a king.
“Quincy Jones was truly one of a kind. His music and love will forever make his heart beat,” the family said. With the creation of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, he created an unshakable place in the American music scene.
Many paid tribute to Jones. Jazz festival head Matthew Jetton said Jones’ spirit will always live on in the festival’s history.