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The music world lost a monumental figure in Quincy Jones, as the musician passed away Sunday (Nov. 3) at 91 years old. It’s difficult to contextualize the magnitude of Jones’ talents and how different music and entertainment are because of him. I mean, there wouldn’t be VIBE Magazine without him.
Q’s professional career spans seven decades, touching and influencing several generations with his art. Whether it was working alongside Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, shifting pop music forever with Michael Jackson, or discovering Will Smith as the lead for The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, “the Dude’s” impact was undeniable.
As we take time to celebrate Quincy Jones’ masterful career, we’ve compiled a gallery of pictures journeying through the legend’s life. Here are the life and times of QJ, as shown through photos.
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Quincy Jones Circa 1959
Image Credit: Parent/Getty Images
American composer and music producer Quincy Jones sits at his desk working on a music arrangement on August 9, 1959.
During this period, Jones would travel and live in Paris, learning music theory and composition with acclaimed French music teacher Nadia Boulanger.
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Lesley Gore’s Birthday Circa 1964
Image Credit: Ochs Archives/Getty Images
American record producer Quincy Jones with his longtime pianist Earl Hines at a birthday party for singer and songwriter Lesley Gore, 1964.
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Quincy Jones Circa 1970
Image Credit: Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Did you know? Quincy Jones was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm in 1974, and doctors gave him a 1% chance to live. Loved ones and friends prepared for the worst and began making funeral arrangements. However, Jones recovered a month later and, as a joke, attended his own “funeral.”
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Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton Circa 1973
Image Credit: Edwards/Getty Images
Jones’ future wife, actress Peggy Lipton, puts her arm around him at Dean Martin’s home in Bel Air, Calif. in October 1973.
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Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, and Quincy Jones Circa 1981
Image Credit: CBS via Getty
Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, and Quincy Jones as they appear in Diana, a Diana Ross television special, with Jones working as a musical director for the program. The special was originally broadcast on CBS on March 2, 1981, and snagged 4 Primetime Emmy nominations.
Before this, the trio would work together on The Wiz, with both Ross and Jackson acting in the film and Jones serving as musical supervisor and producer on the movie. Jones previously said he actually didn’t want to work on the film but did it as a favor for director Sidney Lumet.
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The Dream Team Circa 1984
Image Credit: Galella Collection via Getty Images
The student and the teacher took home eight Grammy Awards for their efforts on Thriller in 1984. The best-selling album of all time cleaned up in categories such as Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Engineered Recording, Best Pop Vocal Performance for a Male, Best Video Album for Making Michael Jackson’s Thriller
Producer of the Year in Non-Classical and more.Enuff’ said.
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Grammy Family Circa 1986
Image Credit: Ochs Archive/Getty Images)
Quincy Jones with Michael Jackson, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, and Lionel Richie basking in the glory of their latest Grammy win for “We Are The World” on February 25, 1986, at the 28th annual Grammy Awards.
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Quincy Jones and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
Image Credit: Galella Collection via Getty Images
Actor Joseph Marcell, actor James Avery, actor Alfonso Ribeiro, singer Tyler Collins, actor Kadeem Hardison, actor Will Smith, music/television producer Quincy Jones, singer Al B. Sure!, actress Tatyana Ali, actress Janet Hubert and actress Karyn Parsons break from filming The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on October 20, 1990.
Jones would help The Fresh Prince get greenlit and compose the music for the show, as well.
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Quincy Jones and Frank Sinatra Circa 1991
Image Credit: Kypros/Getty Image
Q and “Ol’ Blue Eyes” were as thick as thieves after first working with each other in the late 1950s.
The pair created classic albums together, such as Sinatra At The Sands, It Might As Well Be Swing, and LA Is My Lady. The two were so close that after Sinatra died, he left instructions for his family crest ring from Sicily to be given to Jones and his family. Oh, and Frank was the first person to officially give Quincy Jones the nickname “Q.”
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The Jones Family Circa 2005
Image Credit: Guastella/WireImage
Quincy Jones and daughters Rashida Jones and Kidada Jones celebrate their mother, Peggy Lipton, and the release of her 2005 memoir, Breathing Out.
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Quincy Jones Circa 2019
Image Credit: Fury/Getty Images for EJAF
Quincy Jones attends the 27th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party, celebrating EJAF and the 91st Academy Awards on February 24, 2019 in West Hollywood, California.
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Q Circa Infinity
Image Credit: Getty
Rest in peace, Goat.
English (US) ·