Quincy Jones, a longtime music industry powerhouse and producer of multi-platinum hit albums including Michael Jackson’s all-time best-selling album, “Thriller,” died Sunday. He was 91 years old.
His death was announced by his publicist, Arnold Robinson, who said Jones died at his home in Bel Air, California. Jones was surrounded by her family, including her children and siblings, when she died, the announcement said.
Quincy Jones arrives at the 2018 Governors Awards in Hollywood, California on November 18, 2018.
Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
“And while this is a terrible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life he lived and know there will never be another like him,” the family said in a statement.
In a decade-long career, Jones was nominated for 80 Grammy Awardsand won 28 of them. He was the most nominated songwriter and producer of all time, his publicist said Monday.
His career was one of frequent chart-topping hits, many of which were also critical hits. He produced albums for Michael Jackson, including “Off the Wall,” “Bad” and “Thriller,” which ranks as the best-selling album of all time.
Music producer Quincy Jones poses for a portrait to promote the documentary ‘Quincy’ at the Toronto Film Festival on September 7, 2018 in Toronto.
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Quincy was a seasoned producer by the time “Thriller” came out in 1982. In 1963 he won his first Grammy for his arrangement of Count Basie’s “I Can’t Stop Loving You”.
He then collaborated with Frank Sinatra for the album “Sinatra at the Sands”, which included “Fly Me to the Moon”. Jones’ publicist noted Monday that that version of the song was “the first recording made by astronaut Buzz Aldrin when he landed on the surface of the moon in 1969.”
He also produced and directed “We are the world,” which collected pop lights of all ages and became the best-selling single of all time.
Jones’ family said Monday that Jones was “truly one of a kind,” adding that “we take great comfort and pride in knowing that the love and joy that were the essence of his being were shared with the world he created.”
They added: “Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat forever.”
ABC News’ Andrew Evans contributed to this report.
