Quincy Jones, Iconic Music Producer, VIBE Founder, Dead At 91
Quincy Jones, the iconic 28-time Grammy winning producer and founder of VIBE Magazine, has died at the age of 91.
His publicist, Arnold Robinson, revealed the news in a statement to the Associated Press, confirming that Jones died Sunday, Nov. 3, in his Los Angeles home 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. “And 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.”
The family also shared with People, “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. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”
Jones is survived by seven children: Rashida Jones, Kidada Jones, Kenya Kinski-Jones, Quincy Jones III, Jolie Jones Levine, Martina Jones, and Rachel Jones. He is also survived by grandchildren Isaiah Jones Koenig, Quincy Renzo Delight Jones IV and Nea Jones.
The Chicago native was born on March 14, 1933. Raised in poverty, Jones would often recall being forced to catch, cook and eat rodents, or go hungry. Music was his escape, and eventually, his meal ticket, getting his start as a trumpet player in bands for Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, and other Chicago greats. He would go on to become one of pop’s most prolific producers, providing Lesley Gore with her hit, “It’s My Party,” which went No. 1. He followed that up with Gore’s “Judy’s Turn to Cry,” “She’s a Fool” and “You Don’t Own Me,” all of which reached the Top 5 in 1963. He also worked with giants like Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, and others.
Jones also scored several classic films, including In Cold Blood (1967), In The Heat Of The Night (1967), The Italian Job (1968), and The Color Purple (1985).
While already a God within the business, Jones teamed up with Michael Jackson to produce three of his most beloved albums, 1979’s Off the Wall, 1982’s Thriller and 1987’s Bad, with Thriller going on to become the biggest-selling album of all time, launching an already popular Jackson into international superstardom.
Quincy Jones is also the man behind this very publication, founding VIBE Magazine — with financial backing from Time Warner Inc — in 1992 due to the biggest music publications at the time ignoring Hip-Hop culture.
“Rolling Stone makes second-class citizens out of the people in this business who are icons,” Jones said at the time, via The Los Angeles Times. “Rappers need a home for themselves.” Listen to Jones speak on the origins of VIBE below.
More from VIBE.com
Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Solve the daily Crossword
