Legendary American music icon Quincy Jones, a monumental figure in the entertainment industry renowned for collaborating with luminaries from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, has passed away at the age of 91.
His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed that he died on Sunday night at his residence in Bel Air, Los Angeles, surrounded by loved ones.
In a heartfelt statement, Jones’ family expressed, “With heavy hearts, we share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ departure. While this loss is profound for us, we take time to honor the extraordinary life he led and recognize that there will never be anyone quite like him.”
Jones stands out as one of the most multifaceted figures in 20th-century pop culture, renowned largely for his role in producing Michael Jackson’s iconic albums—Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad—during the 1980s, which catapulted Jackson to become the ultimate pop sensation.
In addition to his pivotal role with Jackson, Jones collaborated with legendary musicians like Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Donna Summer, among many others. His talents extended beyond production; he was also an accomplished composer, crafting numerous film scores and achieving chart-topping success with his solo work.
His family expressed: “He was truly unique, and we will miss him profoundly; however, we find solace and great pride in knowing that the love and joy that defined him were shared with the world through his creations. Through his music and his infinite love, Quincy Jones’ spirit will resonate forever.”
A celebrated jazz and pop musician, Jones was a remarkable arranger, conductor, record label executive, and advocate for civil rights. He played a significant role alongside Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie in producing the star-studded charity single We Are The World in 1985.
Over the course of his life, Jones experienced three marriages and fathered seven children with five different women. His first marriage was to his high school sweetheart, Jeri Caldwell, from 1957 to 1966, with whom he welcomed their daughter, Jolie. He then married Swedish model Ulla Andersson in 1967, with whom he had two children, Martina and Quincy Jones III, before separating in 1974.
In the same year, he entered into marriage with actress Peggy Lipton, a partnership that lasted until 1990 and resulted in the births of two daughters, Rashida and Kidada Jones, who also pursued careers in acting. Additionally, Jones welcomed a daughter named Rachel with dancer Carol Reynolds, and another daughter, fashion model Kenya Kinski-Jones, with actress Nastassja Kinski.
Reflecting on his extensive career in a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, Jones remarked, “I never contemplated it until I turned 80, but I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with every major music icon in American history — including Louis Armstrong.” He further noted, “You can’t strategize that… You can’t just approach Mr. Sinatra and say, ‘I want to work with you.’ It’s a matter of waiting for him to reach out.”
Beyond his contributions to music, Jones established a television and film production company in 1990, where he found significant success with the iconic sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, among other productions. His innovative spirit remained strong well into his 80s, as he launched Qwest TV, an on-demand music streaming service, in 2017.
With 80 Grammy nominations, Jones ranks third, trailing only behind Beyoncé and Jay-Z, who each have 88 nominations. He is also the third most awarded artist at the Grammys, boasting an impressive 28 wins. In October 2020, he was honored by President Barack Obama with the National Medal of Arts, a ceremony held in the East Room of the White House.
This prestigious accolade places him alongside legends such as Aretha Franklin, Maya Angelou, and Ella Fitzgerald, recognizing his remarkable contributions to the arts. According to the National Endowment for the Arts, the medal celebrates artists whose exceptional work has significantly influenced the excellence, growth, support, and accessibility of the arts in the United States.
