Legendary producer and musician Quincy Jones, who passed away at the age of 91, has been remembered by some of the biggest names in culture and politics, including Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, Sir Paul McCartney, and Stevie Wonder.
In a heartfelt tribute in Rolling Stone, Wonder described Jones as “one of God’s greatest gifts to the world,” reflecting the immense impact Jones had on music, film, and countless lives.
Winfrey shared how Jones changed her life “forever for the better” after they met, describing him as “love lived out loud in human form.”
For Winfrey, Jones was “the Mightiest of Souls,” someone whose warmth and kindness touched every life he encountered.
Jones’s production of The Color Purple in 1985 famously gave Winfrey her breakout role, and she remembered him as a beacon, calling him “the Light. No shadows.”
Sir Paul McCartney praised Jones’s talent and joyful spirit, recalling fond memories of his friend, whom he described as “supremely talented” and as someone who “always had a twinkle in his eye.”
McCartney highlighted Jones’s musical journey—from trumpet player and bandleader to producer of iconic recordings with artists like Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and Ray Charles.
While celebrating his legacy, McCartney remembered Jones’s personal warmth and the joy he brought into private moments with friends.
Jones’s close collaboration with Wonder led to unforgettable projects, including the 1985 charity single “We Are the World.”
Reflecting on their partnership, Wonder said Jones was driven by a love for art, not money.
“You can look back and hear all of that when you hear his music,” he wrote.
He added that Jones “should be remembered as a star that we will keep burning for as long as we, as humans, exist.”
In a final reflection, Wonder shared a personal wish: “If I could have chosen my last words to Quincy before he made that transition, I would have to borrow something that Duke Ellington would always say: ‘Quincy, I love you madly.’”
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