The legendary musician Quincy Jones, a giant in the world of music, has passed away at the age of 91. His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed to the Associated Press that Jones died peacefully at his Los Angeles home on Sunday, November 3rd, surrounded by his loving family.
"With hearts heavy but full, we must share the news of the passing of our beloved father and brother, Quincy Jones," the family stated in a heartfelt tribute. "Although this is an immense loss for us, we celebrate the incredible life he lived, knowing that there will never be another like him."
Jones leaves behind a legacy of children, including Rashida Jones, Kidada Jones, Kenya Kinski-Jones, Quincy Jones III, Jolie Jones Levine, Martina Jones, and Rachel Jones. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Isaiah Jones Koenig, Quincy Renzo Delight Jones IV, and Nea Jones, as well as his godson, the actor-musician Quincy Brown, who was named in honor of the music legend.
With a remarkable 28 Grammy Awards to his name, Jones stands as the second most decorated artist in Grammy history, having been nominated a record-breaking 80 times since 1961. He has been honored as the Producer of the Year three times and has received two Grammys each for Album of the Year and Song of the Year.
In 1974, when he was just 41 years old, Jones faced a harrowing brush with death. After undergoing brain surgery for a brain aneurysm, he was informed that he had a second aneurysm ready to rupture. Despite being given a slim chance of survival, Jones underwent another surgery and miraculously recovered.
Jones's early life was marked by hardship and resilience. At the age of 14, he fled from the abusive reign of his stepmother, who he revealed never called him by his name until he was 57. Seeking escape, he lied about his age to join the National Guard at 14, only to face severe racism. During this tumultuous time, he and his friends were involved in a tragic bus accident that left everyone in the car dead except for him. The harrowing scene left him deeply traumatized, and he has never driven since.
Born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago, Jones first gained prominence as a trumpet player in bands featuring jazz legends such as Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie. As a producer and arranger, he played a pivotal role in the success of numerous music icons, including Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Paul Simon, and Aretha Franklin. He is particularly remembered for producing Jackson's iconic 1982 hit "Beat It," which featured a legendary guitar solo by the late Eddie Van Halen.
Jones's 1974 album "Body Heat" reached number six on the Billboard 200 chart, and he has released 13 Hot 100 songs and a series of Top 20 albums, cementing his status as a music legend.
