Entertainment
The End Of An Era: Quincy Jones, Master Producer And Composer, Dies At 91
Quincy Jones, the iconic music producer whose groundbreaking work with Michael Jackson on Thriller reshaped the music industry, has passed away at the age of 91.
His death on Sunday, November 3, 2024, was confirmed by his publicist Arnold Robinson, who stated that Jones passed peacefully surrounded by his family.
In a heartfelt statement, his loved ones said, “With full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. While we feel the weight of this profound loss, we celebrate the incredible life he lived and know that there will never be another like him.”
A trailblazer in the music world, Jones’ career spanned more than seven decades, earning him a staggering 28 Grammy Awards out of 80 nominations. His legacy extends far beyond Thriller—he also produced Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall and Bad, and worked with an unparalleled roster of legends including Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Donna Summer, George Benson, and Dizzy Gillespie.
Jones was instrumental in the creation of the iconic charity single We Are The World, co-writing and producing the track that became a global anthem. His contributions also extended to film, where he composed memorable scores and was nominated for seven Academy Awards. In 1968, he became the first African American nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars for The Eyes of Love from the film Banning.
Beyond music, Jones was a successful entrepreneur. In 1990, he founded a TV and film production company, Qwest Productions, and went on to create iconic shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and The Color Purple. In 2017, he launched Qwest TV, an on-demand music streaming service, further cementing his influence in the entertainment industry.
Born in Chicago in 1933, Jones’ early life was shaped by music. He moved to Washington State with his father after his parents’ divorce, and by 14, he was playing in a band with a young Ray Charles. His musical journey led him to New York, where he worked as a trumpet player for Elvis Presley and later as an arranger and producer for Mercury Records.
A survivor in more ways than one, Jones narrowly escaped being murdered by Charles Manson’s cult in 1969. He had planned to visit Sharon Tate’s home the night of the infamous killings but forgot and stayed home. In 1974, he also overcame a life-threatening brain aneurysm, continuing to work and create music in the decades that followed.
Jones’ personal life was as storied as his professional one. He was married three times: first to high-school sweetheart Jeri Caldwell, with whom he had daughter Jolie, then to Swedish model Ulla Andersson, with whom he had two children, Quincy Jr. and Martina. His third marriage to actress Peggy Lipton produced two daughters, Rashida and Kidada. He also had children from relationships with Carol Reynolds and Nastassja Kinski.
Quincy Jones’ impact on music, film, and popular culture is immeasurable. His contributions continue to inspire and influence generations of artists, and his legacy will live on through the timeless records and groundbreaking projects he leaves behind.
Get ready for the ultimate musical comeback! After a 20-year wait, Grammy-winning dancehall icon Sean Paul is returning to Nairobi on December 1, 2024, for an unforgettable concert at the Waterfront II Gardens, Jockey Club of Kenya.
He’ll be performing his legendary hits like “Get Busy,” “Temperature,” and “Gimme the Light,” bringing the same high-energy vibes that have kept fans dancing for decades.
Joining him on stage is an electrifying lineup of Kenya’s top music talents, including DJ Grauchi, G-Money, Redsan, BV Accurate, Motif Di Don, and Mish. With a mix of reggae, dancehall, and Nairobi’s unique arbantone style, this promises to be an unforgettable day-to-night party.
Nairobi has long awaited Sean Paul’s return, and this concert will be even bigger than his 2004 performance, which sparked some drama when he lost his phone. This time, he’s ready to make new memories with his Kenyan fans.
But it’s not just a concert – it’s a Caribbean-inspired carnival! Expect vibrant colors, dancers, stilt-walkers, and a festive atmosphere that will transport you straight to the islands. Fans are encouraged to dress in bold carnival attire and enjoy the ultimate holiday kick-off with friends.
The Waterfront II Gardens provide the perfect setting for this spectacular event, with Golden Circle, VIP, and Regular tickets available for the best views. Golden Circle and VIP tickets are selling fast, so don’t wait!
The concert also offers food trucks, cocktail bars, exclusive merchandise, and plenty of photo ops. Rumors even suggest a surprise collaboration between Sean Paul and one of Kenya’s dancehall stars, making this concert a must-see.
Grab your tickets and get ready for an epic night of music, culture, and unforgettable memories. Sean Paul’s Nairobi return is the concert of the year – don’t miss it!
Ariana Grande, who stars as Glinda in the film adaptation of Wicked, initially auditioned for the role of Elphaba, the green-skinned witch.
The pop superstar sang Elphaba’s songs during her audition, a move that surprised director Jon M. Chu.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Chu revealed, “I assumed she was coming in for Glinda, but my casting director said, ‘No, she’s auditioning for Elphaba.’ Though unexpected, we let her go for it. She was wonderful, but in my mind, she was always Glinda.”
Grande confirmed the confusion during the Sentimental Man podcast, admitting, “I always felt in my heart that Glinda was my role. But when I heard I might read for both, I thought it was because people weren’t sure if my voice fit Glinda better than Elphaba.” She added, “I secretly knew I was meant to play Glinda.”
The highly anticipated adaptation, directed by Chu, tells the story of Glinda and Elphaba’s complex friendship before it’s torn apart by the manipulative Wizard of Oz. The cast includes Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, alongside Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, and Ethan Slater.
To bring authenticity to their performances, Grande and Erivo insisted on singing live during filming. “It was an immediate no-brainer,” Grande told E! News. Erivo agreed, saying, “There’s something special about live music in a room—it brings an unmatched energy.”
Wicked hit the theaters on November 22, 2024.
Liam Payne’s One Direction bandmates were among the mourners at his funeral on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, following his death at 31 in Buenos Aires on October 16.
The service, held at St Mary’s Church in Amersham, southeast England, was attended by Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson.
Liam’s former partner, Cheryl, who shares a son, Bear, with him, attended the service with her Girls Aloud bandmates Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh. Cheryl, 41, had been in a relationship with Liam from 2016 to 2018 and described her love for him as “unconditional and complete” after his passing.
Also at the funeral was Kate Cassidy, Liam’s girlfriend since October 2022, who was joined by Damian Hurley, son of actress Elizabeth Hurley. Kate had been with Liam in Argentina shortly before his death.
Music mogul Simon Cowell, who helped launch One Direction’s career after they appeared on The X Factor in 2010, attended with his partner Lauren Silverman.
Liam’s bandmates had previously expressed their devastation over the loss of their friend and bandmate.
Sean Paul And Top Kenyan Talents Set For Epic Concert
From Green to Pink: Ariana Grande’s Audition Twist For Wicked
One Direction Stars And Loved Ones Attend Liam Payne’s Emotional Funeral
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