MAN WHO PRODUCED LEGENDS
Quincy Delight Jones is a Black American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, arranger, and film, television producer. He is the man behind legends like Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, and Aretha Franklin and he is a living legend too. Quincy Jones was born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. His career started when he played trumpet and arranged for Lionel Hampton during 1951–53. Jones did his education from Berklee College of Music.
In the mid 20th century, Jones composed for film and television and produced over 50 scores. Jones also studied music in Paris in 1957, he went to Paris with Nadia Boulanger, a French composer who taught many of the top musician of that time like Igor Stravinsky and Leonard Bernstein. “ In Paris, I did 200 sessions with huge string section; I wrote for strings until it came out my ears.”-Jones. He felt French culture broader than the US which was before Civil Rights-Movement Africa.
He is the first man to be nominated 80 times for the Grammy with 28 wins. In 1975, Jones launched Qwest productions. In 1978, he produced the soundtrack of the Wizard of OZ featuring Micahel Jackson and Diana Ross. He is also a producer to al time best-selling album Thriller. In 1985, Jones with the collaboration of other American recording artists produced an Anthem “We are the World.” This anthem was made to raise money for famine victims of Ethiopia. He spanned his career to socially help people. His Listen foundation built more than 100 houses in South Africa (2001). They aim to provide youth much opportunities to be aware of technology, education, culture, and music.
Once Jones and Basie were in Las Vegas with their band. The Mob ruled the town and no Black man was allowed to enter the casino alone. Then, frank hired Jones a personal bodyguard. Jones remember the following about Michal Jackson:
“I saw his discipline. He showed up at 5 in the morning for a 4-hour makeup job. He stood around knew everybody’s songs, all of their lines, lyrics, dance, steps everything. He absorbed everybody’s songs, all of their lines, lyrics, dance, steps, everything. I started to see the maturity in him.”
Jones has been married 3 times. He married Jeri Caldwell in 1957. It ended in 1966. They had a daughter; Jolie Jones Levine. Then Jones married Ulla Jones. He has a daughter; Martina Jones and a son; Quincy Jones III from this marriage. This marriage span was from 1967–1974. Jones, last marriage was with Peggy Lipton. They remained together from 1974–1990. They have 2 daughters; Rashida Jones and Kidada Jones. He also has 2 daughters from other relationships.
In 2018, Jones in an interview said that he’s a fan of contemporary artists; Bruno Mars, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar. Jones openly said that he is no fan of Taylor Swift saying “We need more songs, man Fucking songs, hooks.”
During his interview in Feb 2018 by David Marchese. He was questioned:
You worked with Michael Jackson more than anyone he wasn’t related to. What’s something people don’t understand about him?
“I hate to get into this publicly, but Michael stole a lot of stuff. He stole a lot of songs. [Donna Summer’s] “State of Independence Originally written by Vangelis and longtime Yes frontman Jon Anderson, “State of Independence” was recorded by Donna Summer in 1982. Jones produced Summer’s version, Michael Jackson helped out on backing vocals, and the song’s central riff does sound similar (albeit faster) to the iconic bass riff on Jackson’s hit single “Billie Jean.” It should also be noted that, last year, Jones won a lawsuit over a royalties dispute against Jackson’s estate.” and “Billie Jean.” The notes don’t lie, man. He was as Machiavellian as they come.”
David: What about outside of music? What’s misunderstood about Michael?
“I used to kill him about the plastic surgery, man. He’d always justify it and say it was because of some disease he had. Bullshit.”
David: How much were his problems wrapped up with fame?
“You mean with the way he looked? He had a problem with his looks because his father told him he was ugly and abused him Jackson described being abused by his father Joe in a 1993 interview with Oprah, as well as in a 2003 interview with Martin Bashir. “It was really bad,” he recalled during the latter… What do you expect?”
David: It’s such a strange juxtaposition — how Michael’s music was so joyous, but his life just seems sadder and odder as time goes by.
“Yes, but at the end, Michael’s problem was PropofolIn 2009, not long after Jackson’s death, the Los Angeles County coroner announced that the singer’s death was caused by “acute propofol intoxication.” Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray, had been prescribing the powerful sedative, which Jackson called his “milk,” to help with the singer’s insomnia. In 2011, Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson’s death., and that problem affects everyone — doesn’t matter if you’re famous. Big Pharma making OxyContin and all that shit is a serious thing. I was around the White House for eight years with the Clintons, and I’d learn about how much influence Big Pharma has. It’s no joke.”
David: Do you hear the spirit of jazz in pop today?
“No. People gave it up to chase money. When you go after Cîroc vodka and Phat FarmCîroc is the alcohol brand owned by Diddy. Phat Farm was the fashion label founded by hip-hop impresario Russell Simmons in 1992. Simmons sold the company in 2004. and all that shit, God walks out of the room. I have never in my life made music for money or fame. Not even Thriller Jones may not have worked on Thriller for money, but co-producing the album (with Jackson) presumably made him a ton of it: The 1982 album is widely reported to be the biggest-selling LP of all time, having sold somewhere north of 66 million copies… No way. God walks out of the room when you’re thinking about money. You could spend a million dollars on a piano part and it won’t make you a million dollars back. That’s just not how it works.”
David: Is there innovation happening in modern pop music?
“Hell no. It’s just loops, beats, rhymes and hooks. What is there for me to learn from that? There ain’t no fucking songs. The song is the power; the singer is the messenger. The greatest singer in the world cannot save a bad song. I learned that 50 years ago, and it’s the single greatest lesson I ever learned as a producer. If you don’t have a great song, it doesn’t matter what else you put around it.”
Jones career span over 60 years in the entertainment industry. Jones has a net worth of $500 million.
This is what Former President of United Stated Barack Obama has to say about Quincy Jones:
“At each stage in his remarkable career, he’s been the first. He’s been somebody who’s walked through that door before everybody else has. That’s given people behind him enormous confidence. And he’s done it with grace.”
In Sep 2018, Netflix released a documentary with the title “Quincy.” The film was co-directed by his daughter, actress Rashida Jones.
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