The music community is mourning the loss of producer and composer, Quincy Jones, who passed away on November 3, at 91 years old. It was recently revealed that the legendary musician died from pancreatic cancer. Artists from different genres and time periods have come together to honor the man who dedicated his life to transforming the music industry in a career that spanned several decades.
Quincy Jones faced several health challenges throughout his life, including a near-fatal brain aneurysm, which he experienced in 1974 at the age of 41. Additionally, he fell into a diabetic coma in 2015. He was later diagnosed with type 2 diabetes; that incident pushed him to change his lifestyle, giving up alcohol and establishing a healthier diet.
Despite these health scares, Jones’ contribution to music has been incomparable. He had the opportunity to work with numerous artists during his career, including Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Dean Martin, 50 Cent, Lionel Richie, etc.
He first became a producer for Frank Sinatra in 1958, and six years later, he was hired by Sinatra to be a conductor in his second album, It Might As Well Be Swing. This kick-started Jones’ reputation as one of the best producers and composers in the business. As Jones continued to build his reputation, he was hired by a young Michael Jackson to produce three of his albums: Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad. These became Jackson’s most successful albums in his career, and they also helped Jones’ reputation skyrocket as he became one of most well-known producers in music history.
His most notable piece of work came in 1985 with his production of “We Are The World,” a song that was a fundraiser for the hunger crisis in Ethiopia. This song featured some of the most iconic artists at the time, including Michael Jackson, Huey Lewis, Tina Turner, Daryl Hall, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and Ray Charles.
His productions have been followed by many years of success and awards. Throughout a 70-year-long career in music, Jones received 28 Grammys, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Tony Award, seven Academy Award nominations and four Golden Globe Awards.
Jones’ influence extends beyond the fabrics of modern music production. He left behind a blueprint that continues to shape the way producers and musicians create. His monumental legacy will be remembered as a testament to his vision of music, the relationship between musician and producer, and the significance of creativity and wonder.
