15 years ago, I can still remember to this day staying at my grandparents house, eating their meals and watching “Wipeout” with my grandfather, and every time after we would watch the news before we go to sleep. While the news played, we would listen to “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. To this day, it is one of my favorite albums to listen to and one more original member of said album is now gone, as producer, Quincy Jones has passed away. 

“Jones became famous as an arranger and producer for musicians including Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson on his albums Bad, Off the Wall and Thriller,” said Stephen Thompson in an article published on npr.org on Nov. 4. “He died Sunday at the age of 91.”

I personally never knew of Jones, but  hearing the breaking news, one can’t help but just be in shock that someone who created such a great album is now not with us. 

Jones has an outstanding legacy as he did more than just serve as a producer for many artists 

“Jones also was the associate conductor, music arranger and music supervisor on the 1978 classic movie musical The Wiz,” said forbes.com. “In addition to his film work, Jones composed the music for the landmark television miniseries Roots in 1977.”

With all of these accomplishments there is no doubt in my mind that Jones has named himself as a top five music producer in my opinion 

I think Jones, Brian Eno, Rick Rubin, Dr. Dre and Max Martin might be the top five music producers of all time after going over each of their accolades. 

“Quincy Jones’ film music was honored throughout the years by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with seven Oscar nominations,” said Jeetendr Sehdev in an article published on forbes.com on Nov. 4. “Jones’ first Oscar nomination came for Best Original Score for the 1968 film In Cold Blood.”

To add onto that, he has won 28 Grammy Awards throughout his career as a producer. That is only four less Grammys than Beyoncé, who holds the record for most Grammy wins of all time. 

The legacy of Jones will always be remembered specifically through the albums he helped create with Jackson and more musicians that will cement his legacy through for the rest of time.