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.