The Extraordinary Life of Quincy Jones

Quincy Jones is a towering figure in the music industry, celebrated for producing iconic artists from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson. He is also known for his vast array of film and television scores. Throughout his life, it is said that he had one of the largest address books in Hollywood, filled with contacts from various fields.

Jones had an engaging story for nearly every name in that book. When interviewed, his publicists often waited anxiously for him to deliver another shocking statement. For instance, in an interview in 2018, Jones made headlines by revealing that his friend Marlon Brando had a very uninhibited love life, saying, 'He'd f*** anything. Anything! He'd f*** a mailbox. Richard Pryor. Marvin Gaye.'

The claims regarding Richard Pryor were later echoed by Pryor's widow, affirming that he was open about his bisexuality among friends.

In his illustrious career, Quincy Jones produced Michael Jackson's record-breaking album, Thriller, as well as other notable works like Bad and Off The Wall. He was often seen alongside Jackson, especially during the Grammy Awards, where they celebrated numerous wins together.

Jones had an opinion on many musical legends, famously stating in 2018 that Elvis Presley couldn't sing and the Beatles couldn't play. Even claims that seemed far-fetched, like his alleged romance with a younger Ivanka Trump, often turned out to hold some truth.

Jones passed away at the age of 91, surrounded by family in his Bel Air home. He was previously married three times and had seven children by five women, including actress Nastassja Kinski. At 84, he playfully mentioned having 22 girlfriends, all of whom were aware of one another. Known for his charming personality, Jones was unreserved when discussing his life, including his tumultuous past with drugs. He once admitted to losing his virginity at age 12 and becoming addicted to heroin at 15.

His work with Michael Jackson was a highlight of his career. Collaborating on Thriller in 1982, they shared numerous memorable experiences in the studio. One amusing story involved Jackson bringing his pet boa constrictor, which wrapped around Jones's leg, while another incident had Jackson's pet chimpanzee, Bubbles, biting Jones's daughter, Rashida. Despite the fun they had, Jones was candid about his thoughts on Jackson, claiming the star appropriated music from others. He alleged that Jackson had borrowed tunes from various artists, stating, 'Michael stole a lot of stuff. Greedy, man. Greedy.'

Despite achieving significant wealth, with an estimated fortune of $500 million, Quincy Jones's beginnings were humble. Born in Chicago in 1933, he lived through poverty, surrounded by gangsters. His grandmother was a former slave, a fact that shaped his perspective on life. Jones faced hardships early on, as he was raised by a father who had interactions with local criminals. A traumatic incident during childhood left him with a scar and a desire to embrace a life of crime, but a chance encounter with a piano at age ten changed his path.

Jone's passion for music began after he played a piano for the first time, pivoting his aspirations away from gangster life. He quickly took up the trumpet and joined various bands. However, a tragic bus accident claimed the lives of four members of his early band, leaving Jones as the sole survivor.

At 15, Jones earned a scholarship to a music college, marking the beginning of his successful career. He became the first black vice president of a major record label in 1961, breaking barriers in an industry that was not always welcoming.

Jones's contributions to music extended beyond producing; he arranged scores for celebrated artists and films, earning acclaim for his work on classics like The Italian Job and In the Heat of the Night. Working with Frank Sinatra posed its challenges, as the legendary artist had a reputation to uphold. Jones once remarked that giving directions to Sinatra took courage, as the star had a short temper.

Jones was also outspoken about his opinions on musical talent, including criticisms of the Beatles. He infamously said Paul McCartney was the worst bass player he had ever heard and expressed frustration over Ringo Starr's inability to manage his parts in recording sessions.

Not only did he critique well-known musicians, but Jones was also frank about his youthful experiences with drugs. He admitted to buying heroin from Malcolm X when they were both young, which led him to a brief struggle with addiction. A defining moment for Jones was when he fell down five flights of stairs while under the influence, prompting him to quit using the drug.

In addition to his musical life, Jones had a colorful romantic history. Although he mentioned having many girlfriends, he preferred to avoid romance with women younger than his daughters, respecting their wishes for him to make better choices. His daughters often felt neglected due to his career commitments, as he prioritized his work above all.

Even in his later years, Jones sought to extend his life, spending time in a clinic in Sweden that offered advanced medical treatments, hoping to live to 110 years old—a goal he ultimately did not reach.

music, producer, legend, addiction