How Quincy Jones Changed the Lives of Michael Jackson, Oprah Winfrey and More

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As a fan who has had the privilege of growing up with the magic that is Quincy Jones, I can confidently say that he’s nothing short of extraordinary. His life and work are a testament to the power of dreams, determination, and an unwavering belief in oneself.

What couldn’t Quincy Jones do?

He created, structured, and orchestrated music for the artists you admire most, in addition to directing movies and television series that catapulted several of your beloved actors into stardom. Beyond switching professions, he transformed destinies.

In this piece, we delve into some of the major accomplishments and ventures that Jones was involved with, ranging from his contributions to Michael Jackson‘s groundbreaking album, “Thriller”, all the way to the iconic “We Are the World” project, as well as accumulating a total of 28 Grammys, an Emmy, and a Tony award.

MICHAEL JACKSON

Prior to collaborating with Jones on “The Wiz”, Michael Jackson had already gained recognition through the Jackson 5, and had put out four solo albums that enjoyed moderate success. However, it was their work together on “Off the Wall” that catapulted him into stardom as the undisputed King of Pop. Released in 1979 when he was turning 21, this album played a significant role in transforming him from a young singer to a critically acclaimed artist. The disco, funk and R&B tunes on the album topped the charts, earned Jackson his first Grammy, and laid the foundation for “Thriller”, one of the most successful and highly-regarded albums ever made. This album, featuring hits such as “Beat It” and “Billie Jean”, even set a record by winning eight Grammys in a single night.

WE ARE THE WORLD

The concept of Jackson, Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross, and Bob Dylan joining together for a single song still seems otherworldly – but Jones managed to make it a reality. “We Are the World,” the 1985 charity single he produced to aid Ethiopia’s famine relief efforts, was not just groundbreaking but also became an internationally renowned anthem and one of the best-selling singles ever made. Composed by Jackson and Lionel Richie, this song also featured Ray Charles, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, and Willie Nelson. This musical collaboration found renewed relevance earlier this year through the Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary, The Greatest Night In Pop.

WILL and OPRAH

Prior to The Oprah Winfrey Show becoming a nationwide hit in 1986, Winfrey achieved significant success with her role in Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of The Color Purple, which was the first production by Jones. Winfrey received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for her portrayal of Sofia, and she credits Quincy Jones for being instrumental in her career. According to Winfrey, “working with Quincy transformed everything for me. He has a generous spirit and makes everyone feel like they’re the most important person he’s ever encountered … He was the first person I ever loved unconditionally.

After winning his first Grammy for Best Rap Performance, Will Smith’s life took a different turn with the start of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” which Jones produced. This series ran from 1990 to 1996, and throughout this period, Smith often expressed his gratitude towards Jones, referring to him as the one who believed in him when he didn’t even believe in himself.

THE GREATS

Jones and Ray Charles initially crossed paths as budding teenage musicians. Over time, their club performances and wedding gigs transformed into legitimate, chart-topping triumphs, culminating in the No. 1 R&B and dance smash “I’ll Be Good to You.” Later on, Jones collaborated with numerous legends in music composition, arrangement, and production, among them Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Dinah Washington, and Frank Sinatra.

THE SCORES

Over more than five decades, Jones has worked on nearly 40 films, beginning with “The Pawnbroker” in 1964. His other projects include “The Wiz”, “The Slender Thread”, “Walk Don’t Run”, “In Cold Blood”, and “In the Heat of the Night”. Notably, he also contributed to the score for the future film “Lola” in 2024. Among his television themes are those for “Ironside”, “The Bill Cosby Show”, and “Sanford and Son”.

AWARDS GALORE

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but marvel at the journey of Quincy Jones, whose musical prowess has left an indelible mark on the Grammy landscape. Prior to Beyoncé breaking records in 2021 by tying his 28 wins, he had already etched his name into Grammy history. His first nomination came at the third annual Grammy Awards in 1961, and he clinched his first win for best instrumental arrangement that same year in 1964. Over the years, he’s garnered numerous awards, including album of the year for “Thriller” and “Back on the Block,” record of the year for “We Are the World” and “Beat It,” best cast show album for “Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music,” and best large jazz ensemble for “Walking in Space.” He’s even scooped up three producer of the year awards, and in 2019, he shared the best music film award with his daughter Rashida Jones for their Netflix documentary “Quincy.” This legendary figure continues to inspire me as a fan, and I eagerly await his next contribution to the world of music.

Despite not winning a competitive Oscar from his seven nominations, he was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and made history by being the first Black artist to receive a nomination for best original song at the 1968 Academy Awards, specifically for “The Eyes of Love” from the film Banning. That year, he also earned a nomination for best original score, making him the first African American to be nominated in two categories during the same ceremony. Moreover, he made history once again by becoming the first Black person to serve as musical director and conductor for the awards show in 1971.

In 1977, he received an Emmy for exceptional music composition in a series, specifically for his work on Roots. Then, in 2016, he was awarded the Tony for the best revival of a musical, which was The Color Purple.

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2024-11-04 21:56