Quincy Jones, RIP

It is almost impossible to overstate the importance of Quincy Jones to modern music. He knew everyone going back to a young Clark Terry and Ray Charles before he even used that name. Of course his productions and arrangements are what everyone remembers him for, and rightly so. But he was also a fantastic musician in his own right. He remains third all time in Grammys won (Beyoncé is now the all time leader), his productions of Michael Jackson’s iconic albums are astounding, all the soundtracks, the Sinatra albums from the 60s, Basie, running the roster at Mercury in the early 60s, making “It’s My Party” one of the all time iconic hits for Lesley Gore in 1963, it goes on an on. Personally, I think “We Are the World” is a terrible song, but of course it’s one of his most famous moments. RIP.