U.S. Music Titan Quincy Jones Dies At 91

Quincy Jones, the multi-talented music titan whose legacy includes producing Michael Jackson’s historic “Thriller” album, writing prize-winning film and television scores, and collaborating with artists like Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles, has died at 91, Hillel Italie, Andrew Dalton, and former AP journalist Sandy Cohen reported from Los Angeles for the Associated Press (AP).

Jones' extraordinary musical catalog includes some of the richest moments in American rhythm and song. I Photo: Quincy Jones Facebook

Jones’ publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed he died Sunday night at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles, surrounded by family.

“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. “Although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life he lived and know there will never be another like him.”

Jones rose from the streets of Chicago’s South Side to become one of the first Black executives to thrive in Hollywood. His extraordinary musical catalog includes some of the richest moments in American rhythm and song.

Over his career, Jones kept company with presidents, foreign leaders, movie stars, and musicians, and amassed numerous achievements.

He toured with Count Basie and Lionel Hampton, arranged for Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, composed soundtracks for “Roots” and “In the Heat of the Night,” organized President Bill Clinton’s first inaugural celebration, and oversaw the all-star recording of “We Are the World,” the 1985 charity song for famine relief in Africa.

Lionel Richie, who co-wrote “We Are the World” and was among its featured singers, called Jones “the master orchestrator.”