Quincy Jones, the legendary music producer who helped shape the sound of modern music and made history with Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” album, has passed away at 91.
Known for his unparalleled influence across genres, Jones was a musical visionary whose collaborations ranged from Jackson’s record-breaking hits to co-writing the charity anthem “We Are the World,” which brought together a star-studded lineup to raise funds for famine relief in Africa.
Jones’ publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed that he died Sunday night at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, surrounded by his family.
In a statement, his family shared, “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. 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 rose from humble beginnings on the South Side of Chicago, overcoming early hardships to become a pioneer in music and one of the first Black executives to succeed in Hollywood. Over his career, he worked with some of the most celebrated artists in history, from Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles to Lionel Richie.
He produced timeless film and television scores, including those for Roots and In the Heat of the Night, and organized President Bill Clinton’s inaugural celebration. Dubbed the “master orchestrator” by Richie, who co-wrote “We Are the World,” Jones leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that reshaped American music and culture for generations to come.
