Aretha Franklin & Quincy Jones
Aretha Franklin (1942-2018) in a recording studio with composer and record producer Quincy Jones, circa 1973.
Musical powerhouse Quincy Jones died on Sunday (Nov. 3) at 91 years old.
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” his 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.”
“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.”
Among his family’s survivors are his seven children, including actress Rashida Jones.
In his illustrious, more than 70-year career, Jones won 28 Grammys and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He has worked with icons from Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, for whom he produced the best-selling albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad. After he took over the A&R sector at Mercury Records in 1961, Jones became the first African-American to serve as a VP at a major label. He was also the first Black composer to receive name recognition for his film work.
To honor Jones’ successful life and career, we’ve compiled a gallery photos from his musical journey. See them below.
Aretha Franklin (1942-2018) in a recording studio with composer and record producer Quincy Jones, circa 1973.
Ray Charles (1930-2004) confers with producer Quincy Jones on stage during recording of the ‘Duke Ellington…We Love You Madly’ tribute show at The Shubert Theatre in Los Angeles, United States on Jan. 13 1973.
Quincy Jones
Rashida Jones and Quincy Jones attend the 56th annual GRAMMY Awards Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute to Industry Icons honoring Lucian Grainge at The Beverly Hilton on January 25, 2014 in Los Angeles.
Quincy Jones photographed circa 1970s.
Quincy Jones at the 24th Annual Grammy Awards, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles on February 24, 1982.
Quincy Jones at the Dreamworks studio, 1986 in Universal City, Calif.
Herbie Hancock Humanitarian Award reciepient Quincy Jones speaks onstage during the Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Vocals Competition 2015 at Dolby Theatre on November 15, 2015 in Hollywood, Calif.
Lesley Gore (1946-2015) and producer Quincy Jones for Mercury Records on April 11, 1964, in New York, New York.
Drake and Quincy Jones attend Comedy with Aziz Ansari and a Drake Performance presented by Bing at The Bing Bar on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah.
Quincy Jones smiles, sitting in a wooden chair with his cat in Los Angeles, California, circa 1985.
Lady Gaga and Quincy Jones attend ELLE’s 25th Annual Women In Hollywood Celebration presented by L’Oreal Paris, Hearts On Fire and CALVIN KLEIN at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on October 15, 2018 in Los Angeles.
Quincy Jones poses for a portrait in 1981 in Los Angeles.
Celine Dion and Quincy Jones at the “We Are The World 25 Years for Haiti” recording session held at Jim Henson Studios on February 1, 2010 in Hollywood, Calif.
Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones at the 1994 Grammy awards.
Quincy Jones circa 1969.
Quincy Jones and Kanye West during Stevie Wonder Celebrates His 57th Birthday at the Grand Opening of The Cove Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, Bahamas at The Cove Atlantis Resort in Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas.
Quincy Jones poses for a publicity photo circa 1974.
Quincy Jones speaks at the “We Are The World 25 Years for Haiti” recording session held at Jim Henson Studios on February 1, 2010 in Hollywood, Calif.
Quincy Jones and Usher during Clive Davis’ 2005 Pre-GRAMMY Awards Party – Dinner and Show at Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Quincy Jones sitting in front of an array of oriental casks, circa 1985.
Quincy Jones and Nicole Richie attend the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute to Industry Icons honoring L.A. Reid held at The Beverly Hilton on February 9, 2013 in Los Angeles.
Quincy Jones performs circa 1973.
Quincy Jones performs at day two of North Sea Jazz Festival at Ahoy on July 12, 2014 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder and Dionne Warwick attend 28th Annual Grammy Awards on February 25, 1986 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Sir Elton John and Quincy Jones attend the 27th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party sponsored by IMDb and Neuro Drinks celebrating EJAF and the 91st Academy Awards on Feb. 24, 2019 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey backstage at the Shrine Auditorium during the 67th Annual Academy Awards, March 27,1995 in Los Angeles.
Quincy Jones at work in a recording studio, 1963.
Frank Sinatra and Quincy Jones at the 21st Annual Scopus Awards on January 13, 1991 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, Calif.
Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones poses for a portrait in 1981 in Los Angeles.
Queen Latifah and Quincy Jones arrive at the Los Angeles premiere of ‘Keep On Keepin’ On’ at the Landmark Theatre on Sept. 17, 2014 in Los Angeles.
Quincy Jones photographed circa 1980.