Discover the sensational life of Quincy Jones, the iconic Grammy-winning music legend who revolutionized the industry. From his humble beginnings in Chicago to becoming a global sensation, the iconic music producer behind Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’, had an unparalleled influence across multiple genres, including jazz, rock-and-roll, R&B, funk, disco, film scores, hip-hop and even country.
With a career spanning over six decades, Jonesy collaborated with legends like Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and Aretha Franklin. However, after leaving an indelible mark in the music industry, Quincy Jones tragedically passed away at the age of 91 on November 3, 2024. This exclusive article dives into the life of Quincy Jones, discussing his early life, career, education, net worth, musical influence, sickness, death, and more.
Facts About Quincy Jones
- Quincy began his career playing trumpet at the age of 17.
- He is considered Berklee College of Music’s most famous alumnus.
- Quincy was awarded the 2010 National Medal of Arts for his contributions to American music.
- In 1988, Quincy was installed into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame.
- In 2001, he was awarded with the John F. Kennedy Center Honors.
- Quincy was born on the same date as Sir Michael Caine.
- In the 1990s, he suffered from a brain aneurysm.
- He had seven children.
- Quincy Jones died on November 3, 2024, aged 91.
Early Life and Education
Quincy Delight Jones Jr. was born to Sara Frances, an apartment complex manager and a bank officer, and Quincy Delight Jones, a semi-professional baseball player, on March 14, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois. While still young, his family relocated to Chicago as participants in the “Great Migration.” Quincy is the elder of two sons of his parents. Through religious songs, he first got his early experiences with music and had a chance to play the piano since his next-door neighbour owned one and let him practice.
While still young, his mother was admitted to a mental hospital after suffering a schizophrenic breakdown. Following this, his father divorced her mother and remarried, giving birth to three additional children. However, his stepmother was already having three children from her previous marriage. After the Second World War broke out, the family moved to Washington, where his father got a job at a naval shipyard. The family later relocated to Seattle, where Quincy Jones attended high school.
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Quincy obtained a musical education in high school, learned how to compose, becoming a talented trumpet player. Soon after, he had links with other prominent jazz musicians in Seattle and introduced himself to Ray Charles. On a scholarship, Quincy enrolled in Seattle University in 1951 and later transferred to Berklee College of Music in Boston after spending one semester. Despite continuing to study while playing jazz at night at local bars, Quincy eventually realized he needed to begin his professional music career.
Quick Wikipedia
| Quick Biography | Answers |
| Birthday | March 14, 1933 |
| Full Name | Quincy Delight Jones Jr |
| Hometown | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Lives In | Bel Air, Los Angeles, United States |
| Net Worth | $500 million |
| Horoscope/Birth Sign | Pisces |
| Age(dead) | 91 years old |
| Stage Name | Quincy Jones |
| Profession | Record Producer, Songwriter, Composer, Arranger, and Film and Television Produce |
| Father’s Name | Quincy Delight Jones |
| Mother’s Name | Sara Frances |
| Number of Children | 7 |
| Children’s Name | Rashida Jones, Kidada Jones, Quincy Jones III, Kenya Kinski-Jones, Jolie Jones Levine, Martina Jones, Rachel Jones |
| Husband/Boyfriend | N/A |
| Wife/Girlfriend | Peggy Lipton (m. 1974–1990), Ulla Jones (m. 1967–1974), Jeri Caldwell (m. 1957–1966) |
| Birth Year | 1933 |
| TikTok | @quincyjones |
| Facebook Handle | Quincy Jones |
| YouTube Handle | N/A |
| Twitter/X Handle | @quincyjonesprod |
| Instagram Handle | @quincyjones |
| Snapchat Handle | @quincyjonesiii |
| Height | N/A |
| Body Measurements | N/A |
| Feet/Shoe Size | N/A |
| Color of Eye | N/A |
| Movies Starred | Fantasia 2000 and Austin Powers in Goldmember |
| References | Wikipedia, Celebrity Net Worth & IMBD |
Career
Music
After leaving college, Quincy Jones moved to New York, where his talent as an arranger was soon recognized despite still booking gigs as a trumpet player. He landed his first musical work in a band which supported Elvis Presley’s first televised appearances in 1956. After touring with the band, he began living in Paris and eventually started acting as music director for Barclay, a French record company.
In 1961, Quincy was promoted to vice president of Mercury, a major record label in the United States and the parent company of Barclay. During this time, he began composing music for films, starting with The Pawnbroker. Fast forward, Quincy became famous for his works and enjoyed a career as a highly sought-after composer for Hollywood producers. He composed music for several films, including The Italian Job, The Deadly Affair, The Getaway, and many others. Quincy also demonstrated a skill for writing theme songs for several television shows such as Roots, The Bill Cosby Show, Mad TV, and many others.
Acting as a composer, Quincy worked with several musicians during the 60s, including composing for Peggy Lee, Shirley Horn, and Frank Sinatra. Quincy started working with Frank Sinatra after forming his own production company, Qwest Productions. 1981 saw Quincy release his own album, The Duyde, which featured many artists performing songs Jones had written or produced. The album, however, won three Grammy Awards.
Collaboration with Michale Jackson
During his successful career, Quincy collaborated with Michael Jackson, which became one of the most successful producer-artist collaborations in music history, yielding three landmark albums that transformed popular music. In 1978, Quincy and Michael met while on set of “The Wiz,” where Jones served as musical director. He produced Michael’s first solo adult album, “Off the Wall” (1979), which marked Michael’s transformation into a mature artist. The album sold over 20 million copies globally and produced hits like “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” and “Rock with You.”
In 1982, they released “Thriller,” which became the best-selling album of all time, sold 70 million copies globally and won eight Grammy Awards. The duo produced timeless tracks such as “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and the title track. 1987 saw Quincy Jones and Micahel Jackson release their trilogy with “Bad” (1987), which sold over 35 million copies. The track also made history by producing five Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles.
Other Ventures
In addition to his musical career, Quincy Jones was also a film producer and made his debut with The Color Purple. In 1990, he merged his company with Time Warner to create a new production company, which produced shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Jenny Jones Show, and Madtv. Eleven years later, Quincy released an autobiography entitled Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones. In 2007, he also began his own podcast. Quincy also starred in many guest appearances on TV series like The Boondocks and Saturday Night Live and had cameo roles in films like Fantasia 2000 and Austin Powers in Goldmember.
Awards and Recognitions
Throughout his career, Quincy Jones received several honorary awards thanks to his work. In 1992, he won the Grammy Legend Award and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1995. Six years later, he was awarded the 2001 Kennedy Center Honors. In 1988, he was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame. His other awards are the Ordre des Arts et des Letters in 2014 and the Academy Honorary Award in 2024. In 2010, Quincy was honored with the 2010 National Medal of Arts for his contributions to American music as a musician. Time magazine named him one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century.
Net Worth
What was Quincy Jones’ net worth? Quincy Jones, the legendary record producer and music maestro, was one of the richest celebrities in the United States, with a net worth of $500 million at the time of his death. He was one of music’s most influential figures. As a producer, Quincy produced tracks for several films and television, including The Italian Job, The Getaway, and The Deadly Affair, earning Oscar and Emmy nominations.
His most famous collaboration was with Michael Jackson, who produced three albums, including “Thriller,” the best-selling album of all time. Quincy’s collaboration with Michael Jackson alone resulted in more than 150 million records sold. To cap off his successful career, Jones managed a fantastic partnership with 44 top vocalists, including stars like Bob Dylan and Cyndi Lauper, to channel talent towards a collective cause.
Personal Life
Quincy Jones was married to Jeri Caldwell from 1957 to 1966. During their 11-year marriage, they had one child. Following his divorce, he dated Carol Reynolds, with whom he had another child. He married Ulla Andersson, a Swedish actress and had two children together before divorcing in 1974. Quincy again tied the knot with Peggy Lipton, and they had two daughters together. The couple divorced in 1990. He later married Nastassja Kinski, a German actress, and had another child before divorcing her in 1995. Quincy Jones vowed never to learn how to drive after getting into a car accident at age 14.
Sickness and Death
In 1974, Quincy Jones underwent two brain surgeries, which caused him to decrease his workload and focus more on his family. At the age of 15, he began using heroin, but he quit relatively quickly after falling down a flight of stairs while inebriated. In 2015, Quincy went into a diabetic coma due to Type 2 diabetes. On November 3, 2024, Quincy Jones dies at his home in the Los Angeles Bel Air neighbourhood. He died at the age of 91. However, the cause of his death remains undisclosed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Quincy Jones
Q. Is Quincy Jones alive?
Ans: Quincy Jones died on November 3, 2024.
Q. At what age did Quincy Jones die?
Ans: Quincy died at the age of 91.
Q. What is the cause of Quincy Jones’ death?
Ans: Currently, the cause of his death remains unknown.
Q. How many kids does Quincy Jones have?
Ans: Quincy had seven children.
Q. What was Quincy Jones’ net worth at the time of his death?
Ans: Quincy was worth $500 million at his death.
Q. What is Quincy Jones most famous for?
Ans: He is best known for producing a trilogy of albums with Michael Jackson, among them “Thriller,” the best-selling album of all time.
