LL Cool J, Elton John & More Remember Quincy Jones: ‘Music Would Not Be Music Without You’
As news broke of Quincy Jones’ death at age 91 on Monday (Nov. 4), tributes began to pour in to honor the musician who Clive Davis once told Billboard was “the ultimate music renaissance man.” Among those paying tribute to the 28-time Grammy winner were LL Cool J, David Guetta and Victoria Monét.
“You were a father and example at a time when I truly needed a father and example. Mentor. Role model. King. ??You gave me opportunities and shared wisdom. Music would not be music without you,” LL Cool J wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of Jones holding numerous Grammys awards. “My condolences to the entire family. I love you. Rest in the sweetest music eternally. #ripquincyjones one of one.”
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Elton John also paid his respects with a photo of the two men together at one of the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Oscar viewing parties on Instagram. “Nobody had a career as incredible as Quincy Jones. He played with the best and he produced the best. What a guy. Loved him,” John wrote. “Always a loyal supporter of this important fundraiser.”
Mariah Carey remembered him with a photo of the two together, captioning the Instagram post, “A legend, a titan, a mentor. You’ve given the world, and me, so many life defining moments that will be forever cherished. Rest in Power, sir Quincy Jones.”
Justin Timberlake wrote a long remembrance on Instagram of the icon alongside a series of photos of the two men together. “I find myself with a heavy heart today. We lost someone so special. But, I also consider myself so fortunate to be here while he was and to experience his essence, dedication, and mastery,” the pop star wrote in part. “There were so many bits of guidance he gave me along the way that I will take with me forever.”
Monét began her tweet with five heartbroken emojis. “to one of my biggest inspirations! Quincy I love you so much!!!” she wrote. “Your legacy will live on forever and ever ?? Heaven definitely got an upgrade with you”
French DJ and record produce Guetta shared a lengthy remembrance on X highlighting some of Jones’ achievements. “It’s hard to find the words to express the impact @QuincyDJones has had on me, as well as on music and culture as a whole. Quincy wasn’t just a legend, he was an inspiration, a trailblazer, and a true genius. He produced my favorite album of all time, ‘Thriller’ by @michaeljackson, an album that set the standard for what music could be, blending genres and pushing boundaries,” he wrote. The DJ also shared a photo of himself with the music legend, before recounting how they met.
“I had the honor of meeting Quincy, notably at the Grammys @RecordingAcad, where we even had the chance to speak in French, a language he mastered so beautifully,” Guetta shared. “Those moments will stay with me forever. Thank you, Quincy, for all you’ve given us. Your legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists to come.”
Jones’ publicist Arnold Robinson shared that the music icon died Sunday (Nov. 3) at his Los Angeles home, with his family around him. His family also shared a statement. “He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created,” it read in part. “Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”
Read on for more musician reactions to Quincy Jones’ death:
“I woke up today to the Terrible news that we lost Quincy Jones,” Ice-T tweeted along with a vintage photo of the rapper-actor with the music legend. “Genius is a discription loosely used but Rarely deserved. Point blank, Quincy was the MAN. I won my 1st Grammy with Quincy and I live with his Wisdom daily. My condolences go out to his family who I had the honor of meeting. This one Hit me. God bless you KING.”
“Rest in peace and power,” Carole King wrote on Threads.
Dr. Dre credit Jones for his own career path. “Quincy is the reason why I decided to become a record producer. His records were my go-to when I started engineering,” Dre captioned a photo of the two men fist bumping. “All of the time that I spent hanging out with him was priceless and I love how open he was- the advice he gave me, the conversations we had have helped me in my life and career. Forever inspired by the incomparable Quincy Jones.”
“Thank you Dear Friend, For sharing you, your gifts, your light and your life with all of us. Rest Well,” Gladys Knight also wrote on Threads.
“We have lost one of the all time greats. The world will miss Quincy Jones,” Darius Rucker tweeted alongside a photo of the artist. “Rest my friend.”
“Rest In Peace Q! An all-time LEGEND!!” Guns n’ Roses’ Duff McKagan shared alongside a photo of Jones on Instagram.
“Rest in Peace and Perfect Pitch Quincy Jones! What a life well lived,” Sheryl Lee Ralph tweeted.
“Heartbreaking that three people in this picture are no longer with us on earth yet they inspire us to keep their legacies alive through our music. RIP,” Jimmy Jam wrote on Instagram.
“Wow, Q – what a great ride!! ?????? – with love always,” Lionel Richie captioned a photo of the two men together on X.
“Quincy Jones is the true definition of a Mentor, a Father and a Friend,” Will Smith wrote on Instagram. “He pointed me toward the greatest parts of myself. He defended me. He nurtured me. He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked me when he needed to. He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly.”
“THANK YOU for creating the soundtrack for some of the most extraordinary moments in my life! Thank you for being such a wonderful teacher! Thank you for giving us music that pushes us to want to be better artists & musicians. THANK YOU!” Kelly Rowland wrote on Instagram. “You will truly be missed! ??LOVE YOU?? @quincyjones ! Sending all my love and prayers to your beautiful Family!!
“I am speechless at the moment. What this man means to me goes extremely deep. What a life. What an expression of authenticity. What a teacher,” Lenny Kravitz tweeted alongside a series of photos of himself with Jones. “I am humbled that I was given the gift of your openness and friendship. I am still processing… My deepest condolences and respects to the Jones family.”
“What an absolute legend ??,” Wale wrote alongside a photo of Jones with an armful of Grammy awards on X.
“Today the world feels a little quieter. I am incredibly grateful that I got to share moments with Quincy, learning from a true legend. Thank you for the music. Your influence is endless. Rest peacefully my friend,” Michael Bublé tweeted.
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