At 91, Quincy Jones FINALLY Confirms The Rumors | HO

Quincy Jones relationship with Michael Jackson has long been a topic of discussion, at 91 he has finally spoken out and confirmed the rumors.

Jury awards producer Quincy Jones $9.4 million in dispute with Michael Jackson estate - Los Angeles Times

The relationship between Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson has long been one of fascination and intrigue in the music world. Jones, a legendary producer, and Jackson, one of the greatest performers of all time, created some of the most successful albums in pop music history, including Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad. Their partnership shaped not just Jackson’s career but also the trajectory of popular music itself. However, despite the massive success of their collaborations, their relationship was far from smooth.

In recent years, Quincy Jones, now 91 years old, has been more forthcoming about the details of his relationship with Michael Jackson. Throughout the decades, rumors have circulated about the true nature of their bond, the creative clashes, and their eventual fallout. Jones, who has always been a candid and outspoken figure, has finally shed light on these rumors and provided clarity on the complex dynamics between him and Jackson.

The collaboration between Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson began in 1978 when they worked together on the film The Wiz. At that time, Jackson was already a major pop star, but he had not yet reached the iconic status that would come with their future work together. Jones, on the other hand, was an established producer and composer with an extensive career, having worked with legends like Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, and Count Basie.

Their first major project together was Jackson’s 1979 album Off the Wall, which marked a departure from his earlier work with Motown. The album was a critical and commercial success, showcasing Jackson’s transition from teen star to a more mature artist. Quincy Jones’s production on Off the Wall was groundbreaking, blending pop, disco, and funk elements in a way that set the stage for the next decade of pop music. However, as successful as Off the Wall was, it was merely a precursor to the monumental success that would come with Thriller.

Released in 1982, Thriller became the bestselling album of all time, catapulting Michael Jackson to global superstardom. The album’s mix of infectious pop melodies, cutting-edge production, and iconic music videos made it a cultural phenomenon. Quincy Jones’s role in the creation of Thriller cannot be overstated. He played a key part in selecting songs, guiding Jackson’s performances, and assembling a world-class team of musicians and engineers to bring the album to life.

Despite the astronomical success of their collaborations, tensions between Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones began to surface during the Thriller era. Jones’s authoritative approach in the studio sometimes clashed with Jackson’s creative vision. One famous incident during the recording of “Billie Jean” involved Jackson adding his signature vocal squeaks and noises to the track. Jones, frustrated by Jackson’s improvisations, ordered him to stop and even went as far as kicking a pile of rags that turned out to be Jackson himself.

As Thriller continued to break records, the pressure mounted. Michael Jackson, keen to assert himself as a creative force in his own right, began to feel overshadowed by Jones’s influence. The friction between them was not just about musical differences; it was also about credit. Jackson reportedly lobbied the Grammy Awards to recognize him as the sole producer of Thriller, even though Jones had been instrumental in its creation. This incident caused a significant rift between the two.

Their creative partnership continued into Jackson’s next album, Bad (1987), but by then, the strain was evident. Jackson, feeling the pressure to match the success of Thriller, became more controlling over the project. He wanted to move in new musical directions, incorporating hip-hop and other emerging genres. Jones, always attuned to the trends of the time, supported some of these changes but felt that Jackson was becoming too concerned with chart success and public image.

How important was Quincy to Michaels career ? : r/MichaelJackson

Bad was another massive commercial success, but it would be the last album Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones worked on together. By the late 1980s, their relationship had soured to the point where they could no longer collaborate effectively. Jackson’s growing entourage, including influential figures like David Geffen, reportedly advised him to distance himself from Jones and take full control of his musical career.

The fallout was not just about creative differences. According to Jones, some members of Jackson’s inner circle were whispering to him that Jones was taking too much credit for their successes. Jackson, already sensitive about his public image and legacy, began to question Jones’s role in his career. After Bad, Jackson sought to reinvent himself and parted ways with Quincy Jones.

The split was not amicable. Jones later reflected on this period, saying that Jackson believed he had outgrown their partnership. Jackson’s subsequent albums, such as Dangerous and Invincible, were produced without Jones’s involvement. Although these albums had their moments of brilliance, they did not achieve the same level of critical or commercial success as Thriller or Off the Wall. Many industry observers believe that Jackson’s decision to work with multiple producers, rather than a single visionary like Jones, contributed to the lack of cohesion in his later work.

In the years following their split, rumors about the nature of Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson’s relationship continued to circulate. Some speculated that their fallout was not just about music but also involved deeper, personal issues. Jones has always been open about his personal life and has never shied away from addressing sensitive topics. Over the years, questions about his sexuality have surfaced, with some wondering if this played a role in the tensions between him and Jackson.

At 91, Quincy Jones has finally addressed these rumors. In a candid interview, he confirmed that while their creative differences were the primary reason for their split, there were personal undercurrents that contributed to the breakdown of their relationship. Jones has always been a man ahead of his time, both musically and socially, and his openness about these issues has shed new light on the complex dynamics between him and Jackson.

Despite their differences, Quincy Jones has always spoken highly of Michael Jackson’s talent and legacy. In recent years, he has reflected on their partnership with a sense of pride, acknowledging the magic they created together. Jackson’s untimely death in 2009 brought an end to any hopes of a reconciliation, but Jones continues to celebrate the music they made and the cultural impact it had.

The relationship between Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson was one of the most significant partnerships in music history. Together, they created some of the most iconic and influential albums of all time. However, their collaboration was not without its challenges. Creative tensions, personal differences, and the pressures of success ultimately led to their split. Now, with Jones finally opening up about the rumors and the reality of their relationship, we have a clearer understanding of the complexities that shaped their partnership.