Jones' incredible legacy includes producing Michael Jackson's groundbreaking "Thriller" album, crafting award-winning film and television scores, and collaborating with an array of legendary artists
Music legend Quincy Jones, whose iconic career spanned over six decades, passed away peacefully at his Los Angeles home on Sunday night, surrounded by loved ones. He was 91.
Jones' incredible legacy includes producing Michael Jackson's groundbreaking "Thriller" album, crafting award-winning film and television scores, and collaborating with an array of legendary artists, including Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and hundreds more.
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family said in a statement. “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.”
Lionel Richie aptly described Quincy Jones as "the master orchestrator" for his unparalleled skill in crafting timeless hits, AP reports.
Jones' illustrious career, spanning from vinyl records to digital era, is punctuated by iconic collaborations with Michael Jackson.
Their triumvirate of albums - "Off the Wall," "Thriller," and "Bad" - redefined music's universal appeal.
Jones' innovative production and versatility catapulted Jackson from child sensation to the "King of Pop." Together, they fused disparate genres - disco, funk, rock, pop, R&B, jazz, and African chants - to create an unparalleled global soundscape. Classic tracks like "Billie Jean" and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" showcased their creative synergy.
Jones' ingenious touches on "Thriller" remain unforgettable, including recruiting Eddie Van Halen's scorching guitar solo for "Beat It" and enlisting Vincent Price's eerie voiceover for the title track. These bold moves cemented Jones' legacy as a visionary producer.
"Thriller" shattered records in 1983, selling over 20 million copies that year, and remains one of the top-selling albums in history, rivaling the Eagles' "Greatest Hits 1971-1975" for the all-time bestseller title.
“My philosophy as a businessman has always come from the same roots as my personal credo: take talented people on their own terms and treat them fairly and with respect, no matter who they are or where they come from,” Jones wrote in his autobiography.