Miami – Music mogul and TV producer Quincy Delight Jones Jr., who produced Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” the all-time best selling album, and the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” starring rap artist-turned actor Will Smith, has died at the age of 91.
Jones died on Nov. 3 at his Bel-Air home near Los Angeles, California surrounded by family members. A cause of death was not revealed.
In a career that spanned over 70 years, Jones won 28 Grammy awards for his work also as a composer and arranger, including collaborations with Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Aretha Franklin and other legends.
Born in Chicago, Jones started his career as a jazz musician and went on to produce and arrange music, best known for his work on three of Jackson’s albums – “Off the Wall,” “Thriller” and “Bad.”
“Off the Wall,” released in 1979, sold an estimated 20 million copies worldwide; 1982’s “Thriller” sold more than 110 million; and 41 million copies sold for 1987’s “Bad.”
All the albums reached No. 1 on the Billboard Charts.
Jones also produced his own 1990 album “Back on the Block,” featuring the hit single “Secret Garden” by vocalists Barry White, Al B. Sure, James Ingram and El Debarge.
Jones also produced "We Are the World" in 1985, which was written by Jackson and Lionel Richie and featured a coalition of singers including Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Kenny Rogers, Cindy Lauper, Daryl Hall, Willie Nelson and Al Jarreau.
It was Jones and Jackson’s idea to get all the singers in one place during one of the 1985 Grammy Awards receptions. The song raised more than $80 million for African relief.
In 1989 Jones discovered then 12year-old Telvin Campell, who was performing gospel in a Texas church choir, and helped launch his career by recruiting him for lead vocals for the song “Tomorrow," on Jones’ “Back on the Block” album.
Campbell went on to a successful career with the release of his Platinum-selling debut album T.E.V.I.N. including his highestchart single, "Tell me What You Want Me to Do" in 1992.
Jones also achieved more firsts for an American American in the movie industry.
He was the first Black to pen the score for a major motion picture, 1964’s "The Pawnbroker," and was nominated for seven Oscar awards for best original score and song.
He was also the first Black to receive the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1995.
Jones collaborated with Smith when he was executive producer for the 1990s NBC sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," and even made a guest appearance on the show in the season one episode, "Someday Your Prince Will Be in Effect."
Jones also was the executive producer for NBC’s “In the House,” starring another rap artist-turned actor, L.L. Cool J., and veteran actress and famous choreographer Debbie Allen.
Jones also produced shows for MadTV, The History of Rock ‘N’ Roll and the 2023 adaptation of "The Color Purple" which was directed by Blitz Bazawule.
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