Quincy Jones, the iconic American record producer and songwriter, has passed away at the age of 91. Ten days after his passing, official records reveal that he succumbed to pancreatic cancer. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued the death certificate, which was reported by TMZ on Wednesday.
Legendary music
Jones, who received an honorary Oscar earlier this year for his significant impact on the arts and his lifetime of achievements, was a visionary whose work shaped generations of music and culture. He was instrumental in producing Michael Jackson’s legendary albums Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad, among numerous other projects that redefined popular music.
His family expressed their grief and admiration in a heartfelt statement: “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 passed away peacefully on a Sunday evening, surrounded by loved ones at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, according to his publicist Arnold Robinson.
Born on the South Side of Chicago, Jones overcame a challenging upbringing to become one of Hollywood’s pioneering Black executives and a globally influential music producer. His extraordinary career featured collaborations with legends like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, as well as composition credits for notable films and television soundtracks, including Roots and In the Heat of the Night.
He famously organized President Bill Clinton’s first inaugural celebration and directed the historic recording of We Are the World, the 1985 charity anthem aimed at aiding famine relief efforts in Africa. Lionel Richie, a key contributor to We Are the World, hailed Jones as “the master orchestrator” for his exceptional ability to bring people together through music.
From performing with Count Basie and Lionel Hampton to influencing the world of philanthropy and beyond, Quincy Jones leaves a monumental legacy. His influence is felt across decades of music lovers and continues to resonate with leaders and creators worldwide.
Producer and songwriter Quincy Jones has died at the age of 91
Producer and songwriter Quincy Jones has died at the age of 91.
American record producer and songwriter Quincy Jones’ cause of death has been revealed ten days after the star died, aged 91.
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The US producing legend, known for working with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and countless other artists, died from pancreatic cancer, his death certificate has now revealed.
The certificate from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health was obtained by TMZ on Wednesday.
Jones won an honorary Oscar earlier this year for “extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or for outstanding service to the Academy”.
He worked on three of Michael Jackson’s three most successful albums – “Off The Wall”, “Thriller” and “Bad”
In a statement, his family said “there will never be another like him.”
Jones’ publicist, Arnold Robinson, said he died on Sunday night at his home in the Bel Air area of Los Angeles, surrounded by his family.
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Michael Jackson with Quincy Jones at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, February 1984
Michael Jackson with Quincy Jones at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, February 1984. Picture: Alamy
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family said in a statement.
“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 rose from running with gangs on the South Side of Chicago to the very heights of show business, becoming one of the first black executives to thrive in Hollywood and amassing an extraordinary musical catalogue that includes some of the richest moments in American music.
For years, it was unlikely to find a music lover who did not own at least one record with his name on it, or a leader in the entertainment industry and beyond who did not have some connection with him.
Jones kept company with presidents and foreign leaders, movie stars and musicians, philanthropists and business leaders.
He toured with Count Basie and Lionel Hampton, arranged records for Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, composed the soundtracks for Roots and In The Heat Of The Night, organised then-president Bill Clinton’s first inaugural celebration and oversaw the all-star recording of We Are The World, the 1985 charity record for famine relief in Africa.
Lionel Richie, who co-wrote We Are the World and was among the featured singers, would call Jones “the master orchestrator”.