Quincy Jones: These stars have a lot to thank him for

Quincy Jones (1933-2024), probably the most influential music producer of all time, has died. On his death on November 3, 2024 at the age of 91, tributes from artists who influenced Quincy Jones as a producer, arranger or mentor flooded social media. Hardly any other person in the music business has had as much of a decisive influence on major careers as Jones.

First and foremost, of course, you have to mention Michael Jackson (1958-2009). As the superstar’s producer, Quincy Jones eventually became known far beyond the boundaries of the music industry. Michael Jackson met the music mogul in the late 1970s. Jacko just wanted to emancipate himself from his successful family band The Jackson Five and start out as a solo artist. But the first four solo albums that Jackson released alongside his performances with his brothers lagged behind those of the Jackson Five in terms of sales.

Michael Jackson actually only asked Quincy Jones for suitable producers, but he took over himself. In 1979, the two released “Off the Wall”, which became the best-selling album by an African-American artist at the time. With “Thriller,” Jackson and Jones broke all boundaries and records. To date, the LP is the best-selling album ever. Another million-seller followed in 1987 with “Bad”.

Even before his collaboration with Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones repeatedly crossed the path of (later) superstars. When he was 14, he met Ray Charles (1930-2004), who was two years older than him, and they made music together. In 1956, Quincy Jones played trumpet in a studio band that accompanied a certain Elvis Presley (1935-1977) on his first TV appearances. He later arranged and conducted for Frank Sinatra (1915-1998).

It would be an exaggeration to say that Quincy Jones had a decisive influence on the careers of these three megastars. But he seemed to have a hand in wherever something big happened. No wonder he was repeatedly referred to by the media as the King Midas of the music industry. He liked to refer to himself as “Ghetto Gump.” In reference to “Forrest Gump”, who repeatedly runs into important people in contemporary history.

But there are also numerous musicians who would not be offended if one said that they owe their career primarily to Quincy Jones. This includes Lesley Gore (1946-2015). Jones produced her hits such as “It’s My Party” and “You Don’t Own Me” in the early 1960s. With this collaboration, Quincy Jones moved from the jazz and soul fields into the (then still white) pop mainstream. Quincy Jones’s protégés, particularly well-known in the USA, are the multiple Grammy nominees James Ingram (1952-2019) and George Benson (81). In recent years he has promoted Jon Batiste (37), Jacob Collier (30) and the French singer ZAZ (44).

A band that at first glance you wouldn’t associate with Quincy Jones at all is New Order. But the US impresario signed the British post-punkers to his label Qwest Records in America. In 1988, Jones remixed New Order’s biggest hit “Blue Monday”. The remix became a hit. “He made us great in America,”

But Quincy Jones didn’t just have a hand in music. He also produced the series “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” – and suggested Will Smith (56) as the leading actor. He had already had success as a rapper under the name The Fresh Prince, but didn’t see himself as an actor. Nevertheless, at a party, Jones persuaded him to audition for the role. The contract with the TV producers was signed that same evening. “Quincy Jones is the definition of a mentor, a father and a friend”,.

Oprah Winfrey (70) also blames Quincy Jones for allowing her to show new sides of herself as an actress. He produced the film “The Color Purple” (and of course its soundtrack). In this role, Jones hired Winfrey, a well-known presenter who received an Oscar nomination for her film debut.