The music world lost a true legend last night (Sunday). Quincy Jones, who gave us Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' and so much more, passed away at his Bel Air home in Los Angeles. He was 91.
Q (as he was known to friends) started out as a kid running with gangs in Chicago's South Side, but from those harsh beginnings, he rose to become one of music's most powerful figures.
He produced Michael Jackson's biggest hits, worked his magic with Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, and even wrote the soul-stirring music for "Roots" and "In the Heat of the Night."
In 1985, when Africa was facing devastating famine, Jones brought together the biggest names in music for "We Are the World." As Lionel Richie, who co-wrote the song, put it, Jones was simply "the master orchestrator."
His family's goodbye note says it perfectly: "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."
Quincy was connected to everyone, from presidents to movie stars, jazz legends to business moguls. He could hang with Count Basie one day and organize President Clinton's inaugural bash the next.
With 28 Grammys to his name, he wasn't just part of the music industry - he helped shape it.
RIP, Q. You will be sorely missed.
