DStv Channel 403 Wednesday, 04 December 2024

Music titan Quincy Jones dies aged 91

LOS ANGELES - Music industry titan Quincy Jones died at the age of 91, US media reported Monday.

His death was confirmed by his publicist, Arnold Robinson, in a statement that did not specify a cause, US media reported.

Jones collaborated with Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra.

He wrote his own hits, like the addictively cacophonous "Soul Bossa Nova", while also arranging at a breathless pace for dozens of stars across the industry.

The musician began working with Sinatra, for whom he arranged the most famous version of the oft-covered "Fly Me To The Moon", and forged a musical and personal relationship with the crooner that would continue until the singer's death.

As much hypemaster as orchestral wunderkind, Jones had a nose for talent and launched star after star, crafting hit after hit.

While producing the soundtrack for the musical "The Wiz" starring Diana Ross and Jackson, Jones started the partnership that would birth "Thriller" -- thought to be the industry's best-selling album ever.

"You can't explain something like that, you can't aim at it," Jones told Rolling Stone of the album's smash success.

"It's why I used to keep a sign in the studio saying, 'Always leave space for God to walk into the room.'"

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