Colman Domingo, Michael Caine Among Stars Paying Tribute to Quincy Jones: “He Was the Model for How to Live Art”
Colman Domingo, Caine, David Guetta and Victoria Monét were among the prominent Hollywood figures to pay tribute to Quincy Jones following news of his death early Monday.
Jones died Sunday night at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles, surrounded by his family.
A giant in the music industry, Jones had a phenomenal career that spanned more than 60 years. He produced Michael Jackson’s best-selling albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad; helmed the historic recording sessions for the 1985 charity single “We Are the World,” the best-selling single of all time; and produced Lesley Gore’s 1963 chart-topping hit “It’s My Party.”
Jones received the Motion Picture Academy’s Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1995, an honorary Oscar in 2024 and the Grammy Legend Award in 1991 and reeled in 28 Grammys from an all-time best 80 nominations.
Oscar-winning actor Caine, Jones’ longtime friend and “celestial twin” posted on X (formerly Twitter): “My Celestial twin Quincy was a titan in the musical world. He was a wonderful and unique human being, lucky to have known him.”
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Monét tweeted: “💔💔💔💔💔 to one of my biggest inspirations! Quincy, I love you so much!!! Your legacy will live on forever and ever 😢 Heaven definitely got an upgrade with you.”
Actor Domingo posted: “He asked, where are you from? Philly I replied, his eyes twinkled and he talked about the Uptown Theater. I was so thrilled to meet Mr. American Music himself. I literally kneeled because he was a King. Thank you Mr. Quincy Jones for giving us all the sound.”
Reverend Al Sharpton posted: “I’m saddened to hear about the passing of Quincy Jones. Today, we remember a true giant — a cultural icon whose transformative influence will live on🕊️”
The official BAFTA account posted: “We’re saddened to hear that legendary musician and producer Quincy Jones has died aged 91. Alongside an illustrious career in popular music, Jones also composed a huge number of film soundtracks including The Italian Job and turned his hand to producing for screen with The Color Purple and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.”
Read on to see what else Hollywood is saying about Jones.
It’s hard to find the words to express the impact @QuincyDJones has had on me, as well as on music and culture as a whole. Quincy wasn’t just a legend, he was an inspiration, a trailblazer, and a true genius. He produced my favorite album of all time, ‘Thriller’ by… pic.twitter.com/LzADJWoyLl
— David Guetta (@davidguetta) November 4, 2024
For all you jits who’s not familiar with Quincy Jones he’s pretty much the producer for majority of music and the sound as we know it today.
— lil duval (@lilduval) November 4, 2024
What couldn’t he do?
Quincy Jones, literally born when the limits on how big a black boy could dream were unfathomably high, taught us that the limit does not exist.
His contributions to American culture were limitless. First black person nominated for pic.twitter.com/d71OQAY0Yl
— Jeremy O. Harris (@jeremyoharris) November 4, 2024
R.I.P. Quincy Jones. The G.O.A.T. – So many great soundtracks, albums and songs. My son’s middle name is Quincy – he was born the night Q produced the Oscars. This pic captures Quincy having a good time at a screening he hosted for “Dolemite is My Name.” pic.twitter.com/PIP9fh0kzD
— Larry Karaszewski (@Karaszewski) November 4, 2024
Director, screenwriter and producer Reginald Hudlin posted: “Quincy was a giant inspiration for me in so many ways. He was a master craftsman who worked in so many genres of music, as well as a producer in film and television. When I became the second Black person to produce the Oscar broadcast, he (the first) called and gave me wonderful advice. Capturing his friendship with Clarence Avant on film in THE BLACK GODFATHER documentary was everything to me. Blessings to his talented, lovely family.”
English musician Billy Bragg posted: “Quincy Jones produced so much amazing music during his long career, but I never knew he was responsible for the soundtrack of The Italian Job! Here’s a great example of his genius production and arrangement. So long, sir.”
Jazz critic and music historian Ted Gioia posted: “RIP Quincy Jones, who leaves us at age 91. No musician of his generation moved so effortlessly and brilliantly between styles and settings — collaborating with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson to Miles Davis. What a remarkable career!”
South African singer and songwriter Lady Zamar posted: “quincy jones is one of the most prolific musos of our time, a trailblazer and savant. he produced my favorite album of all time, thriller: such an amazing body of work…a man we now get to celebrate in this sad time.”
Broadcaster Skip Bayless posted: “RIP Quincy Jones, star-making genius.”
Actor Colin Salmon posted: “Quincy Jones was a true musical Don, from Ray Charles, Sinatra, Michael Jackson; more recently championing Jacob Collier and beyond. As a kid his major influence for me was the soundtrack to The Italian Job. Yes the Self Preservation Society was penned by him. Thank you Maestro you changed the World. RIP”
Journalist Roland Martin posted: “Peace and love to one of the greatest ever. Quincy Jones is now an ancestor.”
Legendary French singer Line Renaud posted: “Quincy, my dear Quincy, you too have joined the stars and this morning my heart is heavy. With you, life swung, it jazzed, you were joy and rhythm, you were a genius!”
Ghanaian-American singer Amaarae posted: “I thought Quincy Jones was gonna live forever 💔. What an incredible loss. RIP to the greatest to ever do it! 🕊️”
Actor Robert Davi posted: “While I am devastated that my friend Quincy Jones has passed I think of his Genius , Heart , Talent , Inspiration , Support , Encouragement , Love , Understanding , Kindness , Acceptance , Friendship. He gave to all ! Deepest Condolences to Family , Friends, Fans-Love you Q -RIP”
Musician turned political activist Peter Daou posted: “RIP Quincy Jones, the platinum standard of music production. During all my years in the music business, he was the role model every producer looked up to.”
Glee star Kevin McHale posted: “The literal best to have ever done it. Our lives would be worse off if Quincy Jones hadn’t existed. Thank you Quincy for making this world a happier, richer place.”
Source: Hollywoodreporter
