Legendary music producer Quincy Jones dies aged 91

Quincy Jones, one of the most powerful forces in American popular music for over half a century, died Sunday night in his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles. He was 91. His death was confirmed in a statement by his publicist, Arnold Robinson, who did not specify the cause.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him,” the family said in a statement.

Jones was best known as the producer of Michael Jackson’s Thriller album. Over a career spanning more than 75 years, he won 28 Grammy Awards and was named one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century by Time magazine.

He worked closely with Sinatra and reworked the crooner’s classic Fly Me To The Moon, taking it from a waltz to a swing.For the film The Wiz, Jones found himself working alongside a 19-year-old Michael Jackson. He went on to produce Jackson’s album Off the Wall and the pop star’s follow-ups Thriller—which sold 34 million copies in the US alone—and Bad.

In 1985, Jones gathered 46 of America’s most popular singers of the time, including Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner and Cyndi Lauper, to record We Are the World. Jones co-wrote the song to raise money for those suffering from a devastating famine in Ethiopia. The record was the US equivalent to Band-Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas. The hit reached number one in the UK and the US and was performed at Live Aid.

Jones also composed the soundtrack to more than 50 films and TV programmes including the 1969 British film, The Italian Job.

Michael Caine, who starred in The Italian Job, paid tribute to Jones on X, external, calling him “a titan in the musical world”.

“He was a wonderful and unique human being, lucky to have known him.”

Sir Elton John also praised Jones, externally, and said “nobody had a career as incredible” as him, writing: “He played with the best and he produced the best. What a guy. Loved him.”TV producer Shonda Rhimes called him, external “a legend, a visionary, a pioneer”.

While Dr. Dre posted on Insta: “Quincy is the reason I decided to become a record producer,” adding that time he had spent “hanging out with him was priceless”.

On the small screen, he was one of the producers behind the hit TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. According to Will Smith “Quincy Jones is the true definition of a Mentor, a Father, and a Friend. He pointed me toward the greatest parts of myself. He defended me. He nurtured me. He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked me when he needed to. He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly”.

On the big screen, Jones produced the film The Color Purple, which introduced the public to two then-unknown performers – Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg.

Posting a tribute on Instagram, Goldberg said he was “one of a kind”.

But it was music where Jones excelled – as well as winning multiple Grammys, including a legend award in 1992, he was also recognised by the Emmys, Tonys, and Oscars.

Jones was married three times and had seven children, including music producer Quincy Jones III and actress Rashida Jones, known for the US version of The Office.

Rapper LL Cool J, who briefly dated Jones’ daughter, Kidada Jones, said on Instagram, external that Jones was “a father and example at a time when I truly needed a father”.

He added: “Mentor. Role model. King. You gave me opportunities and shared wisdom. Music would not be music without you.”Quincy Delight Jones Jr. was born in the South Side of Chicago on March 14, 1933.Sleep in peace,Legend.