Quincy Jones: The World Pays Homage to a Musical Legend
Quincy Jones, known for his musical projects and activism that captured the world’s attention, passed away at 91.
Music producer and composer Quincy Jones has passed away at 91. pic.twitter.com/ZHFRxVXUSB— Glitter Magazine (@glittermagazine) November 4, 2024
Quincy Jones was born on March 14, 1933. They did not know it yet, but he would take over the world. Back in his hometown, Chicago, Illinois, the 28-time Grammy Award winner spent much time on the streets, affiliated with gangs and crimes such as stealing and fighting. It wasn’t until he hung out with his friends around 11 years old that he and his friends broke into a kitchen at a neighborhood recreation center they started eating the lemon meringue pie. A small glance at a piano was all it took for Jones to realize that music would be his passion.
“I went up there, paused, stared, and then tinkled on it for a moment,” stated Jones in his autobiography. “That’s where I began to find peace. I was 11. I knew this was it for me. Forever.” Jones was ultimately known as a musical performer, producer, and film composer.
He worked with famous jazz artists such as Miles Davis and Frank Sinatra. He produced Michael Jackson’s popular album, Thriller. He even gathered 45 stars in 1985 to collaborate and sing “We Are the World,” a song inspired by “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” for its awareness in raising money to end famine in Ethiopia.
In a 40-year anniversary in honor of the session, Lionel Richie stated in a documentary, “We have white folks saving black folks. We don’t have black folks saving black folks.” In a 1985 issue of TIME Magazine, authors wrote, “Musicians from rival factions of the business are seen putting aside differences of style and temperament and coming together to share and spread a little decency.”
The composer was vocal about the racism he experienced, especially during the 50s and 60s. In a sitdown with PBS, he discussed his struggles finding a place to live, calling it a “nightmare.” Furthermore, Jones recalled the racial turmoil in the entertainment industry.
“The climate in the 50s and 60s for black performers or black people in the entertainment business was atrocious. It was atrocious,” he stated.
The majority of revenue generated from records sold went to “USA for Africa—short for USA (United Support of Artists) for Africa—which was raising money to end poverty on the continent, while 10% was set aside for efforts to combat homelessness in the U.S., per Wonder’s request.”
He was also the musical composer for The Color Purple. The film is based on “A tale spanning forty years in the life of Celie, an African-American woman living in the South who survives incredible abuse and bigotry.” Both Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey acted in the film and recalled the man Jones was. In a 2018 interview Winfrey had with CNN’s Van Jones, she recalls working on The Color Purple. He told Winfrey, “Baby, your future is so bright, it burns my eyes.”
He also has a song called “Tomorrow (A Better You, Better Me)” on his studio album Back on the Block, where he worked with young Tevin Campbell. The song became popular for its lyrics and uplifting message.
“Everybody say tomorrow is just for us to share.
And we’re gonna send our message of love out everywhere.
There’s a promise of love, tomorrow has something special.
And it’s something we know will last and last.
‘Cause we’re never far away, never, one thing I can always be sure of
Far away, no never, the promise of today.”
News broke out about the musician’s death after a family statement was put out: “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.”
Jones was scheduled to receive an honorary Oscar at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 15 Governors Awards on November 17. This would have been his second honorary Oscar. He also received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1994. Jones also has won 28 Grammys, 80 Grammy nominations, a Primetime Emmy, and a Tony.
Celebrities and fans worldwide have shown their support and tributes on social media for the producer. Artists such as The Weeknd, Charlie Puth, and Jennifer Hudson have shared the inspiration they have gained along the way.
Actor Morgan Freeman shared that Jones was “a musical giant whose genius reshaped our world and left an enduring legacy.” Truer words have not been spoken.
