Music legend Quincy Jones, who created Michael Jackson’s biggest hits, dies aged 91-Kitty Chrisp-Entertainment – Metro

Quincy Jones, one of music and TV’s greatest minds, has died at the age of 91 (Picture: Shutterstock; WireImage)

Quincy Jones, the music producer and composer who worked with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and Michael Jackson, has died at the age of 91.

The legend’s best known credits include producing Jackson’s Thriller album in 1982, and he was considered one of the greatest minds in music and TV history.

Jones’s publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed he had died at his Bel Air home on Sunday surrounded by his family.

In a statement, his family said: ‘Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing.’

‘And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him,’ they added.

Jones became one of the first Black executives to make it in Hollywood, and he was behind many of the greatest hits of his era, including Billie Jean, Thriller, and Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough by Jackson.

His family have released a statement (Picture: Greg Doherty/Getty Images for Entertainment Studios)

Jones was the mind behind Michael Jackson’s greatest hits (Picture: Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images)

While he also produced for Aretha Franklin, Donna Summer and Sinatra, Jones also made his mark as a successful composer, having scored dozens of films.

He also founded the TV and film production company in 1990, which would go on to create Fresh Prince of Bel Air, the hit sitcom starring Will Smith.

After Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Jones was nominated for the most Grammy awards of all time with 80 to his name, and 28 wins.

Born on March 14, 1933 in Chicago to a bank executive and his carpenter father, he found music at school, where he met fellow music legend Ray Charles, who he would become great friends with.

In 2023, Jones said Charles was the ‘best friend I could’ve ever dreamed of having’.

He also said the Hit The Road Jack hitmaker taught him the most important lesson about music he would ever learn.

‘Seeing Ray’s outlook made me realize that it’s only when we stop confining ourselves to the restrictions that categories place on our creativity, that we can fully unlock the power of music in its purest form,’ he wrote.

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