November 5- Quincy Jones, an iconic figure in American music and entertainment who collaborated with legends from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, has passed away at 91. His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed that Jones died on Sunday night at his Bel Air home in Los Angeles, surrounded by family.
The family released a statement expressing both grief and pride: “Although this is an incredible loss, we celebrate the great life he lived and know there will never be another like him.” They added, “He is truly one of a kind, and we will miss him dearly… Quincy’s heart will beat for eternity through his music and boundless love.”
Known as one of the most versatile figures in pop culture, Jones produced Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking albums Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad, which cemented Jackson’s status as a global icon. He also worked with countless other stars, including Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Donna Summer. In addition to his production prowess, Jones was a celebrated composer and achieved chart success with his own releases.
Jones’ work extended beyond music; he was a pioneering jazz and pop arranger, conductor, record label executive, and civil rights advocate. In 1985, he co-produced the charity hit We Are The World alongside Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. Later, he moved into television and film production, founding a production company in 1990 that brought The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and other successful shows to life. In 2017, he launched Qwest TV, a streaming service for music.
Jones’ remarkable career earned him 80 Grammy nominations and 28 wins, making him one of the most awarded in Grammy history. He also received the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama in 2020, joining icons like Aretha Franklin and Maya Angelou in being recognized for his impact on American arts.
Jones’ personal life was as dynamic as his career. He married three times and had seven children. His first marriage to Jeri Caldwell produced his eldest daughter, Jolie. He later married Swedish model Ulla Andersson, with whom he had two children, Quincy III and Martina. After divorcing, he married actress Peggy Lipton, and they had two daughters, Rashida and Kidada. He also had daughters Rachel, with Carol Reynolds, and Kenya, with actress Nastassja Kinski.
Reflecting on his storied career in a 2014 Rolling Stone interview, Jones remarked, “I never thought about it until I hit 80, but I’ve been blessed to work with every major music star in America.” He added, “You can’t plan that… You have to wait until he calls you.”
Quincy Jones leaves behind an unparalleled legacy that spanned genres, generations, and mediums—his influence will continue to resonate across music and entertainment for years to come.
