Music Legend Quincy Jones Passes Away at 91, Leaving a Legacy of Iconic Contributions
Quincy Jones, a towering figure in music who produced Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album and composed prize-winning film and TV scores, has died at the age of 91. Coming from a tough childhood in Chicago, Jones became one of the first Black executives to thrive in Hollywood and worked with artists such as Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and Lionel Richie. He accumulated an impressive list of honors, including 28 Grammys, two honorary Academy Awards, and an Emmy for “Roots.” As a music executive, he pioneered in breaking racial barriers and held positions such as vice president at Mercury Records in the early ’60s and the first Black musical director for the Academy Awards ceremony in 1971. Jones is survived by his two sisters, a brother, seven children, including notable actress and filmmaker, Rashida Jones.
John Q. Hosedrinker