From Humble Beginnings to Musical Maestro: The Inspiring Journey of Quincy Jones, the 7-Year-Old Piano Prodigy Turned Legendary Music Icon

Legendary American musician Quincy Jones passed away on November 3 at the age of 91. He was a gang member when he was young, and later got involved in the music industry, collaborating with many well-known musicians, such as “Elvis Presley” and Frank Sinatra, and discovered the later The pop music king Michael Jackson produced many popular music works for him.

Quincy Jones has won 28 Grammy Awards and 7 Oscar nominations.

Born on March 14, 1933, in the South Side of Chicago, during the Great Depression of the United States. His father is a gang member and his mother is mentally ill. Under the influence, young Quincy Jones also wanted to be a gangster. “You want to be what you see, that’s what we saw at the time.” He said.

Affected by the environment in which he grew up, 7-year-old Quincy Jones lived on the streets and was once nailed to a fence by a rival gang.

Quincy Jones was born in Chicago on March 14, 1933. He started playing trumpet as a child. (Instagram/ @quincyjones)

When he was young, he was a gangster on the streets and became involved in crime and music.

One night, Quincy Jones and her friends broke into a community center to look for food, and unexpectedly found a piano. They became interested in music and changed their lives. “I touched it (the piano) and every cell in my body said, this is what you’re going to do for the rest of your life.”

Speaking to rapper Kendrick Lamar in a 2018 Netflix documentary, he said the encounter “changed my life,” adding that if he hadn’t discovered the music, “I would have been dead or in jail.”

His music career is on the rise and he has collaborated with many American superstars.

At the age of 14, Quincy Jones began collaborating with musicians such as Ray Charles and Count Basie, and played for Elvis Presley on television.

On November 4, 2024, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California, the United States, flowers were placed on the star written with the late record producer Quincy Jones (Quincy Jones). (Reuters)

In 1961, he worked for Mercury Records and became the first black person to serve as vice president of a major record company; during this period, he released the “Big Band Bossa Nova” music collection, including the hit “Soul Bossa Nova”.

At the same time, he also composed soundtracks for films and television, including the movie version of “Cold Blood”. Because he was black, Quincy Jones was almost eliminated from “Cold Blood”; fortunately, it was not implemented. In the end, this work brought Quincy Jones his First Oscar nomination for Best Score.

Met and discovered Michael Jackson as his music mentor

In 1978, Quincy Jones produced the soundtrack for the musical film “The Wiz” starring 19-year-old Michael Jackson. He discovered his superstar potential and became his mentor and producer, creating the album “Thriller” for him. and other best-selling works. “Thriller”, which features weird elements, made Michael the undisputed king of pop.

“Thriller” is Michael Jackson’s sixth studio album. It was released by Epic Records on November 30, 1982. (michaeljackson.com)

When recording the single “Beat It”, in order to pursue a more rock style, Quincy Jones invited Eddie Van Halen to perform a guitar solo. Legend has it that the playing was so explosive that the studio speakers caught fire.

In 1985, Quincy Jones gathered 46 of the most popular singers in the United States at the time, including Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen and Tina Turner. Recorded the famous charity song “We Are the World”.

Empathize with rapper calling for hip-hop industry to put down violence

In addition to classic music, Quincy Jones also loves rap. In his 50s, he feels a vitality similar to that of Bebop Jazz in rapping, and many rappers like him have experienced the difficult street life.

“I feel connected to it because we have a lot of the same experiences,” he said.

In 2015, well-known rapper Kendrick Lamar was surprised to meet Quincy Jones during an interview. (YouTube/hypetraktv)

Rap stars also regard him as a respected African American musical elder. In 2018, Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre expressed shock when they encountered him in the Netflix documentary Quincy.

In 1995, he held the Quincy Jones Hip-Hop Symposium, where he addressed a roomful of American rappers and used his influence to try to stop violence in the hip-hop community.

Actively participate in social activities and work pressure affects daily life

In 1955, Quincy Jones met the black civil rights movement leader Martin Luther King. Since then, civil rights work and political participation have become an important part of Quincy Jones’ life.

He founded the Quincy Jones Listening Foundation and launched the “We are the future” humanitarian concerts, among other causes.

Quincy Jones and Carlos Santana rehearse backstage for the “We Are the Future” all-star humanitarian concert at Circus Maximus on May 16, 2004 in Rome, Italy. (Getty Images)

He married three times in his life, but his family life and health suffered due to work and alcoholism. He suffered a nervous breakdown after divorcing his third wife, Peggy Lipton. To recover, he moved to the island of his long-time friend, movie star Marlon Brando.

In 1974, Quincy Jones suffered a brain aneurysm and his chances of recovery were so slim that he personally attended a music memorial service planned for him by his friends. In 2015, he was in a coma for four days due to diabetes and was hospitalized the following year due to blood clots. No one expected that Quincy Jones would live for another 50 years until 2024.