Quincy Jones: Other music legends mourn his death

The legendary Quincy Jones (1933-2024) has died at his home in Bel Air at the age of 91. The sheer number of prominent people from show business saying goodbye to the music producer and composer, some with touching words, makes it clear what a great influence he has had on the world of music over the past decades. And not just as the producer of the “King of Pop”, Michael Jackson (1958-2009). Some of the biggest names from different genres of music are saying goodbye to Jones on social media.

There is great praise for Jones’ musical achievements from “Rocket Man”. “No one had such an incredible career as Quincy Jones,” writes British superstar Elton John (77). “He played with the best and produced the best. What a guy. I loved him.”

Soul legend Lionel Richie (75) speaks to the deceased: “Wow, Q – what a great ride!!” Richie also added a heart emoji and one of praying hands to a picture of the two. “With love, always,” he says goodbye.

Dr. Dre (59), rapper and one of the most important hip-hop producers, says that his career would probably not have existed without Quincy Jones. “Quincy is the reason I decided to become a record producer. His records were my first stop when I started engineering,” writes Dre. “All the time I spent with him was priceless and I love how open he was – the advice he gave me, the conversations we had helped me in my life and my career. For always inspired by the incomparable Quincy Jones.”

Will Smith (56), before his scandalous Oscar slap in 2022, was probably one of the most important faces in Hollywood for many years and also a rapper, “true definition of a mentor, a father and a friend”. He defended and encouraged him, but also reprimanded him. “He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly,” Smith explains.

Countless other stars and big names from the music industry have also said goodbye to Quincy Jones in the past few hours – including Gladys Knight (80), Carole King (82), Darius Rucker (58), Lenny Kravitz (60) and Kelly Rowland (43 ) by Destiny’s Child. Rapper and actor Ice-T (66) lives with Jones’ wisdom every day. The word “genius” is often used, but rarely – as with the late music producer – is it deserved.