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Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones
Musician, composer, producer, arranger, and pioneering entrepreneur Quincy Jones has lived large and worked for five decades alongside the superstars of music and entertainment -- including Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, Ray Charles, Will Smith, and dozens of others. Q is his glittering and moving life story, told with the style, passion, and no-holds-barred honesty that are his trademarks.
Quincy Jones grew up poor on the mean streets of Chicago鈥檚 South Side, brushing against the law and feeling the pain of his mother鈥檚 descent into madness. But when his father moved the family west to Seattle, he took up the trumpet and was literally saved by music. A prodigy, he played backup for Billie Holiday and toured the world with the Lionel Hampton Band before leaving his teens. Soon, though, he found his true calling, inaugurating a career whose highlights have included arranging albums for Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, and Count Basie; composing the scores of such films as The Pawnbroker , In Cold Blood , In the Heat of the Night , and The Color Purple , and the theme songs for the television shows Ironside , Sanford and Son , and The Cosby Show ; producing the bestselling album of all time, Michael Jackson鈥檚 Thriller , and the bestselling single 鈥淲e Are the World鈥�; and producing and arranging his own highly praised albums, including the Grammy Award鈥攚inning Back on the Block , a striking blend of jazz, African, urban, gospel, and hip-hop. His musical achievements, in a career that spans every style of American popular music, have yielded an incredible seventy-seven Grammy nominations, and are matched by his record as a pioneering music executive, film and television producer, tireless social activist, and business entrepreneur鈥搊ne of the most successful black business figures in America. This string of unbroken triumphs in the entertainment industry has been shadowed by a turbulent personal life, a story he shares with eloquence and candor.
Q is an impressive self-portrait by one of the master makers of American culture, a complex, many-faceted man with far more than his share of talents and an unparalleled vision, as well as some entirely human flaws. It also features vivid testimony from key witnesses to his journey鈥揻amily, friends, and musical and business associates. His life encompasses an astonishing cast of show business giants, and provides the raw material for one of the great African American success stories of this century.
From the Hardcover edition.
Quincy Jones grew up poor on the mean streets of Chicago鈥檚 South Side, brushing against the law and feeling the pain of his mother鈥檚 descent into madness. But when his father moved the family west to Seattle, he took up the trumpet and was literally saved by music. A prodigy, he played backup for Billie Holiday and toured the world with the Lionel Hampton Band before leaving his teens. Soon, though, he found his true calling, inaugurating a career whose highlights have included arranging albums for Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, and Count Basie; composing the scores of such films as The Pawnbroker , In Cold Blood , In the Heat of the Night , and The Color Purple , and the theme songs for the television shows Ironside , Sanford and Son , and The Cosby Show ; producing the bestselling album of all time, Michael Jackson鈥檚 Thriller , and the bestselling single 鈥淲e Are the World鈥�; and producing and arranging his own highly praised albums, including the Grammy Award鈥攚inning Back on the Block , a striking blend of jazz, African, urban, gospel, and hip-hop. His musical achievements, in a career that spans every style of American popular music, have yielded an incredible seventy-seven Grammy nominations, and are matched by his record as a pioneering music executive, film and television producer, tireless social activist, and business entrepreneur鈥搊ne of the most successful black business figures in America. This string of unbroken triumphs in the entertainment industry has been shadowed by a turbulent personal life, a story he shares with eloquence and candor.
Q is an impressive self-portrait by one of the master makers of American culture, a complex, many-faceted man with far more than his share of talents and an unparalleled vision, as well as some entirely human flaws. It also features vivid testimony from key witnesses to his journey鈥揻amily, friends, and musical and business associates. His life encompasses an astonishing cast of show business giants, and provides the raw material for one of the great African American success stories of this century.
From the Hardcover edition.
432 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2001
120 people are currently reading
1692 people want to read
About the author
Quincy Jones
120听books32听followersQuincy Delight Jones Jr. was an American record producer, songwriter, composer, arranger, and film and television producer. Over the course of his seven-decade career, he received many accolades including 28 Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Tony Award as well as nominations for seven Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards.
Jones came to prominence in the 1950s as a jazz arranger and conductor before producing pop hit records for Lesley Gore in the early 1960s (including "It's My Party") and serving as an arranger and conductor for several collaborations between Frank Sinatra and the jazz artist Count Basie. Jones produced three of the most successful albums by pop star Michael Jackson: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), and Bad (1987). In 1985, Jones produced and conducted the charity song "We Are the World", which raised funds for victims of famine in Ethiopia.
Jones composed numerous films scores including for The Pawnbroker (1965), In the Heat of the Night (1967), In Cold Blood (1967), The Italian Job (1969), The Wiz (1978), and The Color Purple (1985). He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series for the miniseries Roots (1977). He received a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical as a producer for the revival of The Color Purple (2016).
Throughout his career he was the recipient of numerous honorary awards including the Grammy Legend Award in 1992, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1995, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2001, the National Medal of the Arts in 2011, the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2014, and the Academy Honorary Award in June 2024. He was named one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century by Time.
Jones came to prominence in the 1950s as a jazz arranger and conductor before producing pop hit records for Lesley Gore in the early 1960s (including "It's My Party") and serving as an arranger and conductor for several collaborations between Frank Sinatra and the jazz artist Count Basie. Jones produced three of the most successful albums by pop star Michael Jackson: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), and Bad (1987). In 1985, Jones produced and conducted the charity song "We Are the World", which raised funds for victims of famine in Ethiopia.
Jones composed numerous films scores including for The Pawnbroker (1965), In the Heat of the Night (1967), In Cold Blood (1967), The Italian Job (1969), The Wiz (1978), and The Color Purple (1985). He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series for the miniseries Roots (1977). He received a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical as a producer for the revival of The Color Purple (2016).
Throughout his career he was the recipient of numerous honorary awards including the Grammy Legend Award in 1992, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1995, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2001, the National Medal of the Arts in 2011, the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2014, and the Academy Honorary Award in June 2024. He was named one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century by Time.
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June 4, 2020
Quincy Jones, according to his website: composer, artist, arranger, conductor, instrumentalist, record company executive, magazine founder, multi-media entrepreneur, humanitarian, investor, and record, film, and TV producer.
Quincy Jones is a music mogul, an icon in African-American music. The man's contribution to breaking down the barriers for the African-Americans in the music and film industry is so profound, it is a shame we don't hear more of it.
This book details on the life of Jones, his childhood and his introduction to music and his eventual growth into the musician/composer who'd decide to never stop at anything. The book also intimately discusses his marriages and his children and friendships. There are quite a number of "witness" accounts from his friends and family giving fresh perspective to Quincy's stories. Some things Quincy mentioned in the book are:
-> His family and childhood and eventual roles each of these characters in his early life had played over time. Particular highlights are his troubled relationship with his mother, his love for his father and brother.
-> His friendship with Ray Charles, which inspired him greatly as a teenager because Charles was blind but completely independent of family.
Ray Charles, rehearsing for "Duke Ellington... We Love You Madly", produced by Quincy Jones (right)
-> His time with the Lionel Hampton band and his tour to Europe, which completely change his perspective of the level of conflict between black and white people in the US. It was during this time he struck up a friendship with Clifford Brown.
-> His tour with Dizzy Gillespie sponsored by the USIA and the disgraceful treatment of the black musicians on tour.
-> His intimate friendships with many icons of jazz music, including Clifford Brown, Dinah Washington, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and many more.
Quincy Jones, Count Basie and Frank Sinatra
-> The time he scored music for the film adaptation of Capote's In Cold Blood and won an Academy Award for Best Original Score (the first African American to win in the category). Capote had persistently lobbied to have Jones removed from the project because he was a "black man writing music for a white film".
-> His near-death experience after suffering a brain aneurysm in 1974 and the subsequent memorial service held in-between two brain-surgeries.
-> His work with Michael Jackson on three of pop music's most influential records (Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad). This section also relates to the recording of the E.T. album with Steven Spielberg and the subsequent legal troubles.
"From left: Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and Steven Spielberg working on the E.T. album"
-> The recording of "We Are the World", where many musical icons got together to raise money for the victims of Ethiopia's famine.
-> His work with Spielberg on The Color Purple, a film about the struggles of African American women.
-> His work on television scoring and eventually his work on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and his eventual advocacy for hip-hop culture.
... and many more such events in Quincy's life. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book with a fresh mind and the stories were truly inspiring and at times, shocking. I especially liked the honesty with which Quincy narrates his stories: He doesn't try to paint himself as a righteous man. He mentions his regrets with sadness and he is guarded on his achievements.
A must-read.
Quincy Jones is a music mogul, an icon in African-American music. The man's contribution to breaking down the barriers for the African-Americans in the music and film industry is so profound, it is a shame we don't hear more of it.
This book details on the life of Jones, his childhood and his introduction to music and his eventual growth into the musician/composer who'd decide to never stop at anything. The book also intimately discusses his marriages and his children and friendships. There are quite a number of "witness" accounts from his friends and family giving fresh perspective to Quincy's stories. Some things Quincy mentioned in the book are:
-> His family and childhood and eventual roles each of these characters in his early life had played over time. Particular highlights are his troubled relationship with his mother, his love for his father and brother.
-> His friendship with Ray Charles, which inspired him greatly as a teenager because Charles was blind but completely independent of family.
Ray Charles, rehearsing for "Duke Ellington... We Love You Madly", produced by Quincy Jones (right)-> His time with the Lionel Hampton band and his tour to Europe, which completely change his perspective of the level of conflict between black and white people in the US. It was during this time he struck up a friendship with Clifford Brown.
-> His tour with Dizzy Gillespie sponsored by the USIA and the disgraceful treatment of the black musicians on tour.
-> His intimate friendships with many icons of jazz music, including Clifford Brown, Dinah Washington, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and many more.
Quincy Jones, Count Basie and Frank Sinatra-> The time he scored music for the film adaptation of Capote's In Cold Blood and won an Academy Award for Best Original Score (the first African American to win in the category). Capote had persistently lobbied to have Jones removed from the project because he was a "black man writing music for a white film".
-> His near-death experience after suffering a brain aneurysm in 1974 and the subsequent memorial service held in-between two brain-surgeries.
-> His work with Michael Jackson on three of pop music's most influential records (Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad). This section also relates to the recording of the E.T. album with Steven Spielberg and the subsequent legal troubles.
"From left: Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and Steven Spielberg working on the E.T. album"-> The recording of "We Are the World", where many musical icons got together to raise money for the victims of Ethiopia's famine.
-> His work with Spielberg on The Color Purple, a film about the struggles of African American women.
-> His work on television scoring and eventually his work on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and his eventual advocacy for hip-hop culture.
... and many more such events in Quincy's life. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book with a fresh mind and the stories were truly inspiring and at times, shocking. I especially liked the honesty with which Quincy narrates his stories: He doesn't try to paint himself as a righteous man. He mentions his regrets with sadness and he is guarded on his achievements.
A must-read.
September 20, 2021
I will say one thing about Quincy Jones, he's honest!
Quincy Jones's autobiography maybe one of the most honest autobiographies I've read and I guess that's a good thing but boy did it make me dislike this man.
Why do I dislike him?
1. He talks about the beautiful 15 year old girl he met through Hugh Hefner...??????????
2. His bestie Bill Cosby
3. His love of respectability politics
4. Hes a horrible father but at least he admits that
5. All the 18 and 19 year old girls he dated well into his 40's
Look at least hes truthful about his awful behavior even if he doesn't seem to think its awful behavior. Maybe I shouldn't give him credit for honesty when he seems completely unaware of how his life experiences might be viewed by people who arent in showbiz.
I did enjoy hearing him talk about how he got into showbiz and all the greats he worked with. Mr. Jones has worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, John Coltrane, P.Diddy, Dizzy Gillespie and so many more.
Quincy Jones is a legend and a musical genius but that doesn't mean that he's a perfect person. And despite my dislike for his behavior if I met him I'd probably like him. He seems like just that type of charismatic guy that can win you over with ease.
I would still recommend this book to people interested in music history and also to those who like messy people.
Quincy Jones's autobiography maybe one of the most honest autobiographies I've read and I guess that's a good thing but boy did it make me dislike this man.
Why do I dislike him?
1. He talks about the beautiful 15 year old girl he met through Hugh Hefner...??????????
2. His bestie Bill Cosby
3. His love of respectability politics
4. Hes a horrible father but at least he admits that
5. All the 18 and 19 year old girls he dated well into his 40's
Look at least hes truthful about his awful behavior even if he doesn't seem to think its awful behavior. Maybe I shouldn't give him credit for honesty when he seems completely unaware of how his life experiences might be viewed by people who arent in showbiz.
I did enjoy hearing him talk about how he got into showbiz and all the greats he worked with. Mr. Jones has worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, John Coltrane, P.Diddy, Dizzy Gillespie and so many more.
Quincy Jones is a legend and a musical genius but that doesn't mean that he's a perfect person. And despite my dislike for his behavior if I met him I'd probably like him. He seems like just that type of charismatic guy that can win you over with ease.
I would still recommend this book to people interested in music history and also to those who like messy people.
September 26, 2013
I am embarassed to say that the only reason I picked this book to read was because I needed a title that started with "Q" for a reading challenge.
After that admission, I also have to say that I was drawn to choose this book, just from the cover alone. I DID recognise the name but I LOVE his wonderful, smiling face. It makes me smile right back at him every time I look at it sitting here on my desk.
Beyond his name, I really had no idea of who Quincey Jones really was nor exactly what he did except that he was associated with the music industry. I thought that he was a music producer. He is SO MUCH more than that, it is really mind boggling!
I was blown away at all that he is, all that he has done, all of the people he has worked with, all of the people he has known and been frends with, and has lost in death. I am in awe at all that he has done for music, but especially American music - jazz, bebop and hip-hop. I am in awe of his work ethic and the stunning number of projects he has worked on and been associated with. The number of music scores that he wrote, arranged or produced is unbelievable (and documented in the back pages).
It took me a long time to read this book. I know nothing about music except that I like to listen to it. I do not sing or play an instrument and for the most part, I could never remember the names of singers or the names of songs. I knew some names and some songs and some projects that were mentioned in this book, but I learned a LOT MORE. Don't get me wrong, you do not have to know anything about music, or TV shows, or Movies or bands or orchastra leaders or conductors, or composers, or teachers, or singers or instruments and who played them, but you might learn something about them in this book. (I spent a lot of time stopping to look things up on
my iPod or computer and then gave up and started marking things with stick it notes.)
The book was very well written. It was easy to read and flowed very well. I especially liked the fact that it was not just Quincey telling the story, but that there were chapters included that were written by his family members and his friends. He called them "witness" accounts in his Epilogue chapter.
This man has lived and he is still doing it. He has earned Grammys and lots of special awards and testimonials and he appears to have earned them with hard work, love and integrity.
I am sincerely glad I read his story.
After that admission, I also have to say that I was drawn to choose this book, just from the cover alone. I DID recognise the name but I LOVE his wonderful, smiling face. It makes me smile right back at him every time I look at it sitting here on my desk.
Beyond his name, I really had no idea of who Quincey Jones really was nor exactly what he did except that he was associated with the music industry. I thought that he was a music producer. He is SO MUCH more than that, it is really mind boggling!
I was blown away at all that he is, all that he has done, all of the people he has worked with, all of the people he has known and been frends with, and has lost in death. I am in awe at all that he has done for music, but especially American music - jazz, bebop and hip-hop. I am in awe of his work ethic and the stunning number of projects he has worked on and been associated with. The number of music scores that he wrote, arranged or produced is unbelievable (and documented in the back pages).
It took me a long time to read this book. I know nothing about music except that I like to listen to it. I do not sing or play an instrument and for the most part, I could never remember the names of singers or the names of songs. I knew some names and some songs and some projects that were mentioned in this book, but I learned a LOT MORE. Don't get me wrong, you do not have to know anything about music, or TV shows, or Movies or bands or orchastra leaders or conductors, or composers, or teachers, or singers or instruments and who played them, but you might learn something about them in this book. (I spent a lot of time stopping to look things up on
my iPod or computer and then gave up and started marking things with stick it notes.)
The book was very well written. It was easy to read and flowed very well. I especially liked the fact that it was not just Quincey telling the story, but that there were chapters included that were written by his family members and his friends. He called them "witness" accounts in his Epilogue chapter.
This man has lived and he is still doing it. He has earned Grammys and lots of special awards and testimonials and he appears to have earned them with hard work, love and integrity.
I am sincerely glad I read his story.
June 6, 2023
A great (auto)biography of a living legend. Very honest and open. Lots of great quotes that I wrote down too. I have 鈥渁uto鈥� in parentheses as there are several chapters from friends and family of Quincy鈥檚 that provide a lot of great stories and context from diverse perspectives.
I deducted it one star because there are some amazing and memorable moments of his life that get just a passing mention or nothing at all. With so much he鈥檚 done, it鈥檚 understandable but if he had a few more sections about more of his accomplishments and what went on behind them, this would be five stars. I think it鈥檚 worth the read. Not too many people like this anymore.
I deducted it one star because there are some amazing and memorable moments of his life that get just a passing mention or nothing at all. With so much he鈥檚 done, it鈥檚 understandable but if he had a few more sections about more of his accomplishments and what went on behind them, this would be five stars. I think it鈥檚 worth the read. Not too many people like this anymore.
February 26, 2025
I still own this book, which I purchased many years ago. A superb man.
September 21, 2014
One Of The Most Amazing Stories Ever Told!
September 27, 2012
A great book! Can be read like a novel, very interesting, especially with the chapters written by friends/family, casting a different light on Q's story.
Very enlightening, though sometimes a bit confusing as well, if you're not familiar with all the details.
--
As I came into the lobby, the valet grabbed my bags and asked, "Is your driver coming in to help load your bags into the car?"
I said, "I don't think so."
When he walked around to the driver's side and saw Frank Sinatra sitting behind the wheel wearing his "Swinging Lovers" porkpie hat, he nearly fainted. Frank laughed, jokingly called him a bum, and tipped him fifty dollars. When we got to Las Vegas and sat down at a table in the lounge, the waiter said, "Mr. Sinatra, would you like some water?" Frank said, "Hell, no. I want a drink. I don't need a bath."
--
At this point on Thriller I'd been bugging him for months to write a Michael Jackson version of "My Sharona." One day I went to his house and said, "Smelly, give it up. The train is leaving the station." He said, "Quincy, I got this thing I want you to hear, but it's not finished yet. I don't have any vocals on it."
I called Michael "Smelly" because when he liked a piece of music or a certain beat, instead of calling it funky, he'd call it "smelly jelly." When it was really good, he'd say, "That's some smelly jelly." I said, "Smelly, it's getting late. Let's do it."
I took him to the studio inside his house. He called his engineer and we stacked the vocals on then and there. Michael sang his heart out. The song was "Beat It."
We knew the music was hot. On "Beat It" the level was literally so hot that at one point in the studio Bruce Swedien called us over and the right speaker burst into flames. We'd never seen anything like that in forty years in the business.
--
The truth is, many of the videos that became trademarks of MTV imitate "Beat It," "Thriller," and "Billie Jean" - it's Michael's choreography all over the screen, even today. His videos made a sensation in tandem with the rise of the video as an art form. He helped define the music video in terms of style, dance ensembles, and overall performances.
--
[...] Bernstein air-mailed me from London a headline torn from the International Herald Tribune from a review of Back on the Block that said, "Quincy Jones is black music's Leonard Bernstein." He wrote on the top in red pencil, "Dear Q, I wish I were white music's Quincy Jones. Love, L.B."
--
And to this day people forget that, deep down inside, Michael was still "country." I used to live on Stone Canyon Road, one of the most beautiful streets in LA, two blocks from the Bel Air Hotel. Michael came over to a party one day wearing his little Kangol hat and parked his new Rolls about three blocks down the street from my place. Him being from Gary, Indiana, and me being from Chicago, I knew what was in his mind when he went out my exit gate at 2 A.M. and picked up a brick from the edge of my bushes. I said, "Smelly, this ain't Gary or Chicago. This is the safest street in LA." That is so country, I'd tell him kiddingly, and he'd tee-hee.
--
I'd like to be like [my son] when I grow up.
Very enlightening, though sometimes a bit confusing as well, if you're not familiar with all the details.
--
As I came into the lobby, the valet grabbed my bags and asked, "Is your driver coming in to help load your bags into the car?"
I said, "I don't think so."
When he walked around to the driver's side and saw Frank Sinatra sitting behind the wheel wearing his "Swinging Lovers" porkpie hat, he nearly fainted. Frank laughed, jokingly called him a bum, and tipped him fifty dollars. When we got to Las Vegas and sat down at a table in the lounge, the waiter said, "Mr. Sinatra, would you like some water?" Frank said, "Hell, no. I want a drink. I don't need a bath."
--
At this point on Thriller I'd been bugging him for months to write a Michael Jackson version of "My Sharona." One day I went to his house and said, "Smelly, give it up. The train is leaving the station." He said, "Quincy, I got this thing I want you to hear, but it's not finished yet. I don't have any vocals on it."
I called Michael "Smelly" because when he liked a piece of music or a certain beat, instead of calling it funky, he'd call it "smelly jelly." When it was really good, he'd say, "That's some smelly jelly." I said, "Smelly, it's getting late. Let's do it."
I took him to the studio inside his house. He called his engineer and we stacked the vocals on then and there. Michael sang his heart out. The song was "Beat It."
We knew the music was hot. On "Beat It" the level was literally so hot that at one point in the studio Bruce Swedien called us over and the right speaker burst into flames. We'd never seen anything like that in forty years in the business.
--
The truth is, many of the videos that became trademarks of MTV imitate "Beat It," "Thriller," and "Billie Jean" - it's Michael's choreography all over the screen, even today. His videos made a sensation in tandem with the rise of the video as an art form. He helped define the music video in terms of style, dance ensembles, and overall performances.
--
[...] Bernstein air-mailed me from London a headline torn from the International Herald Tribune from a review of Back on the Block that said, "Quincy Jones is black music's Leonard Bernstein." He wrote on the top in red pencil, "Dear Q, I wish I were white music's Quincy Jones. Love, L.B."
--
And to this day people forget that, deep down inside, Michael was still "country." I used to live on Stone Canyon Road, one of the most beautiful streets in LA, two blocks from the Bel Air Hotel. Michael came over to a party one day wearing his little Kangol hat and parked his new Rolls about three blocks down the street from my place. Him being from Gary, Indiana, and me being from Chicago, I knew what was in his mind when he went out my exit gate at 2 A.M. and picked up a brick from the edge of my bushes. I said, "Smelly, this ain't Gary or Chicago. This is the safest street in LA." That is so country, I'd tell him kiddingly, and he'd tee-hee.
--
I'd like to be like [my son] when I grow up.
Read
November 14, 2013Quincy Jones is a world famous producer and composer. In his autobiography he talks about how he got his start in the music industry at twelve years old by picking up a trumpet and becoming a musician. From there his career as an artist took off. He talks about his experiences traveling around the country and Europe being in bands like Lionel Hamptons and also getting opportunities to direct his own band that traveled around the country and Europe by the age of 24. After directing his own band he talks about how he goes on to compose music and also score music for movies. He went on to score some famous songs including, 鈥淔ly Me to the Moon.鈥� He took a break from scoring and producing movies and T.V. to get back to strictly music. What happens next is history. He then goes on to talk about teaming up with Michael Jackson and making the albums Off The Wall, Thriller, and Bad. All albums went platinum but Thriller was the big deal. Thriller broke album selling records and is the bestselling album ever (still today no one has been able to out sell Thriller). During this exciting time he talks about producing famous African American cultural movies like 鈥淭he Color Purple,鈥� and 鈥淩oots.鈥� Even with all his success Quincy still had to fight temptations like women and drugs and deal with struggles in his life like his mentally ill mother and losing his father. Several times throughout his autobiography he had to step back and take a break. It was always after these breaks he came back better than ever and overcame his trials. Quincy Jones takes you on his exciting and interesting journey through life.
I unquestionably enjoyed Quincy鈥檚 Jones autobiography. Some autobiography鈥檚 can be boring and lacking interest but Quincy Jones lived such an exciting life that I was never bored. Once I started reading it I couldn鈥檛 put it down. It was almost like I was reading a fiction book. I think the reason why his story is such a good one is because he doesn鈥檛 leave anything out. He talks about the good, the success from his career, and the bad, his encounters with his mentally ill mother as an adolescent and his struggles with being faithful. He was 100% real and really brought you into his story. You can see, feel, and experience everything he was seeing, feeling, and experiencing.
I would recommend this book to aspiring musicians. You can really learn from his story that whatever obstacles you may face and whatever gets in your way, you can overcome it. He talks a lot about taking every opportunity you can to practice and learn music no matter what your situation is. Especially the music industry being a hard industry to be successful in you can learn from his determination but also his willingness to put in the work and doing whatever it took to obtain his dream. Overall this book is very aspiring and will make anyone want to thrive and drive toward their dream.
I unquestionably enjoyed Quincy鈥檚 Jones autobiography. Some autobiography鈥檚 can be boring and lacking interest but Quincy Jones lived such an exciting life that I was never bored. Once I started reading it I couldn鈥檛 put it down. It was almost like I was reading a fiction book. I think the reason why his story is such a good one is because he doesn鈥檛 leave anything out. He talks about the good, the success from his career, and the bad, his encounters with his mentally ill mother as an adolescent and his struggles with being faithful. He was 100% real and really brought you into his story. You can see, feel, and experience everything he was seeing, feeling, and experiencing.
I would recommend this book to aspiring musicians. You can really learn from his story that whatever obstacles you may face and whatever gets in your way, you can overcome it. He talks a lot about taking every opportunity you can to practice and learn music no matter what your situation is. Especially the music industry being a hard industry to be successful in you can learn from his determination but also his willingness to put in the work and doing whatever it took to obtain his dream. Overall this book is very aspiring and will make anyone want to thrive and drive toward their dream.
September 9, 2018
I didn't really know much about Quincy Jones before reading this memoir. I knew that he produced three of the best Michael Jackson albums and that he was involved in the 1950s/1960s jazz-scene. Then I read an interview he did for Vulture.com () and was so intrigued by his personality and the interesting anecdotes he had to tell that I immediately went and got his autobiography.
This guy is really a jack of all trades. I never realised what an important figure Quincy Jones really was in all kind of areas related to the entertainment industry. But apart from that, he really just seems like a fascinating character with all his friends, his multiple wives and many kids, who still love him, despite him being so entangled with his ambitious work. You would think, he would just be making that stuff up for his memoir if it wasn't for the letters from friends and family members that are inserted in-between each chapter (and some of them would probably count as chapters of their own).
Definitely a recommendation for everyone who is interested in fascinating and unique real-life characters, even apart from the whole music-related aspect of the book. It sheds an interesting kind of light on America's dark history with black people. Because other than most narratives about or written by black people born in pre-WWII-America, this one is about one of the very rare occasions where a black person actually rose all the way to the top, pioneering in many positions formerly only held by white people. It may not be representative of the situation at the time as a whole, but Quincy Jones' exceptional situation makes everything all the more fascinating. And that is not because of a lack of hurdles in his way - quite the opposite - it is fascinating because he came so far DESPITE the myriad of ocstacles he had to overcome, only due to his skin color.
This guy is really a jack of all trades. I never realised what an important figure Quincy Jones really was in all kind of areas related to the entertainment industry. But apart from that, he really just seems like a fascinating character with all his friends, his multiple wives and many kids, who still love him, despite him being so entangled with his ambitious work. You would think, he would just be making that stuff up for his memoir if it wasn't for the letters from friends and family members that are inserted in-between each chapter (and some of them would probably count as chapters of their own).
Definitely a recommendation for everyone who is interested in fascinating and unique real-life characters, even apart from the whole music-related aspect of the book. It sheds an interesting kind of light on America's dark history with black people. Because other than most narratives about or written by black people born in pre-WWII-America, this one is about one of the very rare occasions where a black person actually rose all the way to the top, pioneering in many positions formerly only held by white people. It may not be representative of the situation at the time as a whole, but Quincy Jones' exceptional situation makes everything all the more fascinating. And that is not because of a lack of hurdles in his way - quite the opposite - it is fascinating because he came so far DESPITE the myriad of ocstacles he had to overcome, only due to his skin color.
December 1, 2010
I did not read all of this. After the first 200 pages, I pretty much knew what he'd grown up with (crazy mother, angry stepmother, emotionally absent father, and life of deliquency saved by amazing talent arranging music). At that point I got sick of all the language and didn't care about the name dropping or the sleeping and drugging around and skimmed to the end. He produced some amazing music, but he's not a life model I'm chosing to follow.
January 19, 2025
I've always wondered about Quincy Jones . He's held in such a high regard especially being a producer without knowing how to play any Instruments outside of the trumpet 馃幒. He's discovered a lot of good artist , produced a lot of good shows too. His upbringing was so sad !!! He should've invested in therapy as an adult & should've held himself accountable for creating broken homes as well ; his start in music was really unique too he went through a lot of bullsh it to be the top dog ; I wonder why he never invested in learning how to play instruments that would've been a good look ! Also I wonder why he never worked with prince ! That would've been a good look ! His confusion on different religions could've been talked about more because he brushed off GOD a lot . The way he moved in his personal life definitely made me side eye him he definitely been with both men & women by the views of his relationships!
I'm not really a fan of his especially after the beloved Tupac bashed him , Michael Jackson saying he didn't produce all of his songs , & he himself had a bigger role in that , last but not least him thinking having the yt man's leftovers as revolutionary 馃檮 . His words exactly: 鈥淚 don鈥檛 give a f鈥搆. Because they think that鈥檚 all you like, but that鈥檚 stupid, man. Here鈥檚 what you鈥檝e got to understand: The interracial thing was part of a revolution, too, because back in the 鈥�40s and stuff, they would say, 鈥榊ou can鈥檛 mess with a white man鈥檚 money.鈥� Don鈥檛 mess with his women,'鈥� he said. 鈥淲e weren鈥檛 going to take that sh-t. Charlie Parker, everybody there, was married to a white wife.鈥�
It always baffled me how he had yt daughters but gave them African names ! ..... he did all that hard work only for his riches to be handed back to the same people that drove his parents , family , and friends crazy ! He been around forever & learned so little ! This book / his story is the true essence of what Bob Marley said
"Some people are so poor, all they have is money鈥�
I'm not really a fan of his especially after the beloved Tupac bashed him , Michael Jackson saying he didn't produce all of his songs , & he himself had a bigger role in that , last but not least him thinking having the yt man's leftovers as revolutionary 馃檮 . His words exactly: 鈥淚 don鈥檛 give a f鈥搆. Because they think that鈥檚 all you like, but that鈥檚 stupid, man. Here鈥檚 what you鈥檝e got to understand: The interracial thing was part of a revolution, too, because back in the 鈥�40s and stuff, they would say, 鈥榊ou can鈥檛 mess with a white man鈥檚 money.鈥� Don鈥檛 mess with his women,'鈥� he said. 鈥淲e weren鈥檛 going to take that sh-t. Charlie Parker, everybody there, was married to a white wife.鈥�
It always baffled me how he had yt daughters but gave them African names ! ..... he did all that hard work only for his riches to be handed back to the same people that drove his parents , family , and friends crazy ! He been around forever & learned so little ! This book / his story is the true essence of what Bob Marley said
"Some people are so poor, all they have is money鈥�
January 31, 2025
What an interesting and incredible life Quincy Jones lived. Loved the book as much as I have loved his music and compositions. The people he met and worked with from such an early age helped to shape and ensure his success. Highly recommend to others who have enjoyed his music as much as I have.
April 27, 2025
what a life. need a quincy jones biopic asap.
August 8, 2023
What a life Quincy Jones has had. His story is written by him and family members and friends and people who love and respect him. He is a talented and caring person and has had many obstacles and challenges but the music always makes it better and he keeps on going.
May 24, 2013
such a refreshing musical biography to read - especially after having recently read neil young's painfully boring "waging heavy peace" where i kept hoping against hope that neil would be informative or barring that would be funny or interesting... anyway, happily quincy's book is the opposite of neil's and has the three things: it's informative, funny and interesting. but quincy's book goes further than that - it shows style and elegance. quincy can go from grace kelly elegance to ghetto rap in a heartbeat. i did not expect quincy to be so culturally learned and deep in musical background - that takes an extraordinary amount of work and dedication and you can clearly see the life long effort in this great book.
so why not give this book five stars and call it a day? well, because i believe that quincy's best work, better even than the famous stuff, is nowhere to be found in this book. he mentions a lot about film composing for "in the heat of the night" and "in cold blood" and other famous films but nothing about "the hot rock" or "dollars". "dollars" a good film with warren beatty and goldie hawn has one of the greatest soundtracks ever made largely due to quincy's use of the don elliot singers who, in one particular cue, working together in close a cappella harmonies create the most amazing vocal imitation of a car shifting gears musically you will ever hear. "dollars" -lucky for you- can now be bought on cd through amazon.com. however "the hot rock" you will have to hit ebay for as an LP only. "the hot rock" starred robert redford and george segal and was one of the most brilliant gorgeous soundtracks using african percussion and evoking extraordinary atmosphere. i think peter gabriel's last temptation of christ was also extraordinary for percussion and atmosphere in a far more primal out of body way but once again quincy's soundtrack shows more elegance and style. during the jewel heist the music is perfection, mancini would have added more humor and barry would not have sounded so exotic, spacey or african percussive.
as a musician, i could mine "the hot rock" and "dollars" soundtracks for harmony and orchestration the rest my life just as quincy mined ravel's daphnis and chloe orchestrations or ravel in turn mined saint saen's piano concerto #2 orchestrations. these two soundtracks are the motherlode of new fresh ideas no one else is doing today. dollars and hot rock are also the least dated pieces of quincy's work, they stand outside of time like dave grusin's three days of the condor - another soundtrack that still sounds amazing and perfect decades later. my thing is orchestration and arranging so for me this book was a must read that turned out very well.
so why not give this book five stars and call it a day? well, because i believe that quincy's best work, better even than the famous stuff, is nowhere to be found in this book. he mentions a lot about film composing for "in the heat of the night" and "in cold blood" and other famous films but nothing about "the hot rock" or "dollars". "dollars" a good film with warren beatty and goldie hawn has one of the greatest soundtracks ever made largely due to quincy's use of the don elliot singers who, in one particular cue, working together in close a cappella harmonies create the most amazing vocal imitation of a car shifting gears musically you will ever hear. "dollars" -lucky for you- can now be bought on cd through amazon.com. however "the hot rock" you will have to hit ebay for as an LP only. "the hot rock" starred robert redford and george segal and was one of the most brilliant gorgeous soundtracks using african percussion and evoking extraordinary atmosphere. i think peter gabriel's last temptation of christ was also extraordinary for percussion and atmosphere in a far more primal out of body way but once again quincy's soundtrack shows more elegance and style. during the jewel heist the music is perfection, mancini would have added more humor and barry would not have sounded so exotic, spacey or african percussive.
as a musician, i could mine "the hot rock" and "dollars" soundtracks for harmony and orchestration the rest my life just as quincy mined ravel's daphnis and chloe orchestrations or ravel in turn mined saint saen's piano concerto #2 orchestrations. these two soundtracks are the motherlode of new fresh ideas no one else is doing today. dollars and hot rock are also the least dated pieces of quincy's work, they stand outside of time like dave grusin's three days of the condor - another soundtrack that still sounds amazing and perfect decades later. my thing is orchestration and arranging so for me this book was a must read that turned out very well.
February 20, 2017
If I could give this book 6 stars, I would. This is one of the best books I've ever read. I was living in Chicago at the time, and I visited the Rosenwald Apartments (which is now undergoing 200 million dollar gentrification renovation) in their abandoned state, and even did a photo shoot there. I also visited Quincy's child hood home, which is now an abandoned lot. I mention this, because the book was so descriptive! He often listed addresses in the book, and so if you live in Chicago, you can go see those locations today. But aside from it's descriptiveness, it paints a vivid portrait of the accomplished life and career of Quincy Jones. This book is filled with ups and downs, and it at times can take you on an emotional roller coaster.
My favorite part of the book, is when Quincy and Michael Jackson are working together for the very first time. It shows the long-time friendship and genuine relationship that these two developed. What was also interesting, is that Quincy was worked with everybody who's anybody since the late 40's and early 50's. He became very accomplished at an early age, and in his old age, he has a very long list of accomplishments that's comparable to the lengthy list of accomplishments of Emperor Haile Selassie I. This book is filled with many humbling, yet inspiring stories, and I recommend this to not only music fans, but to anyone who just wants to be inspired to do great. Thank you Q for everything you've brought to this world!
My favorite part of the book, is when Quincy and Michael Jackson are working together for the very first time. It shows the long-time friendship and genuine relationship that these two developed. What was also interesting, is that Quincy was worked with everybody who's anybody since the late 40's and early 50's. He became very accomplished at an early age, and in his old age, he has a very long list of accomplishments that's comparable to the lengthy list of accomplishments of Emperor Haile Selassie I. This book is filled with many humbling, yet inspiring stories, and I recommend this to not only music fans, but to anyone who just wants to be inspired to do great. Thank you Q for everything you've brought to this world!
June 30, 2008
Considering his crushingly tragic childhood, to go on to win nearly every major music award is unbelievable. He worked with an amazing range of major jazz/pop stars, doing everything from trumpet performance with jazz greats, to arranging for Sinatra, to going bankrupt touring Europe with an all-star big band, to producing for Michael Jackson, to writing award-winning film music, to producing rap. Incredibly diverse, successful career! I now discuss Quincy Jones in my college Brass Pedagogy class as an example of someone who knew how to thrive in a generally difficult business. Talent is a huge part of the equation, yes, but the author also loved people, maintained contact with his mentors, worked hard, loved what he was doing, was willing to adapt to the changing business landscape, and wasn't afraid to try new things.
December 28, 2007
I enjoyed reading Q's funny stories about his interactions with the early jazz greats when he was just a teenager! He shares snapshots of his earliest memories of the music world not to mention his contributions to musical history. Hello? Thriller...We Are The World??? He worked with Ella, with Duke Ellington, played on stage with a high out of her mind but brilliant Billie Holliday.
On a personal note, I read this book while my mother was battling cancer. Eery how the chapter on his brother dying of cancer paralleled with my mother's last month of life. His words were always in the back of my mind as I sat by mom's bedside.
Having said that, anyone who loves music and it's history will love this book!
On a personal note, I read this book while my mother was battling cancer. Eery how the chapter on his brother dying of cancer paralleled with my mother's last month of life. His words were always in the back of my mind as I sat by mom's bedside.
Having said that, anyone who loves music and it's history will love this book!
September 12, 2009
A must read for any TRUE fan of music. Most people my age only know Quincy for his pop music espcially Michael Jacksons Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad. But Quincy was also a major player in the jazz game for decades before venturing into pop. He olayed with all the major jazz stars toured Europe with his own band and is one of the last of the original bebop guys. His genius has transcended generations, genres, AND racial boundaries. And amazing journey. Of course their is no intricate literary stuff goin on here. Although I did like how they were chapters written by close friends and family interjected here and there to show the other side of him. Thats something you dont normaly see in autobiographies. But still amazing for music fans and culture fiends such as myself...
September 3, 2014
Quincy Jones has created music, movies, tv shows and magazines, is there nothing he cannot do well?
Let's add memoirs also to this list, because this is an easy read.
It reads like he sat with a friend and told stories of his life and times. And what a life he has had! This book begins with his rough childhood, his mother in an institution, becoming a musician & touring with Basie, Duke and Sarah and goes from there. Quincy Jones knows so many interesting people and has had so many interesting times, you have to keep reading just to hear him drop names about the good old days. Cut into that are chapters written by the others in his life, his daughters, brother, friends, ex-wives, etc.
I usually don't like autobiographies, but Q made it easy to enjoy.
Let's add memoirs also to this list, because this is an easy read.
It reads like he sat with a friend and told stories of his life and times. And what a life he has had! This book begins with his rough childhood, his mother in an institution, becoming a musician & touring with Basie, Duke and Sarah and goes from there. Quincy Jones knows so many interesting people and has had so many interesting times, you have to keep reading just to hear him drop names about the good old days. Cut into that are chapters written by the others in his life, his daughters, brother, friends, ex-wives, etc.
I usually don't like autobiographies, but Q made it easy to enjoy.
April 29, 2013
I knew that Quincy Jones was a much admired producer, however I was completely unaware of his abilities as a performer and arranger. He really had the most remarkable career. While not always the most likeable of people he strikes you as honest and someone who has tried to learn from his mistakes. Really liked the fact that the book wasn't just told from his point of view but in fact had different chapters written by his brother, some of his children, ex-wives, and fellow musicians. It provided a nice balance and more of a complete picture of some events.
June 2, 2016
I got the book because the whole world know the outcome of Q and MJ marriage:
Off the wall,Thriller and Bad.. a simple revolution in the music industry!
I wanted to know more about this phenomenal chemistry in the history of music..
He didn't say a lot about it;personnal conflicts were obvious judging the way he mentionned MJ..kinda rude and mocker sometimes too..Only God knows why.
However I can't deny that Quincy Jones had a fascinating life,
he is a genius at orchestration,
a buissnessman at heart..AND
a lucky cat!
Off the wall,Thriller and Bad.. a simple revolution in the music industry!
I wanted to know more about this phenomenal chemistry in the history of music..
He didn't say a lot about it;personnal conflicts were obvious judging the way he mentionned MJ..kinda rude and mocker sometimes too..Only God knows why.
However I can't deny that Quincy Jones had a fascinating life,
he is a genius at orchestration,
a buissnessman at heart..AND
a lucky cat!
November 14, 2007
Quincy Jones has led a remarkable life: Raised on the South Side of Chicago, an institutionalized mother, a young band leader who traveled Europe, nursed by older talents and a nurse to younger ones.
More than anything, though, this autobiography is candid. He describes his failings as well as his successes.
I actually listened to the audio book, which I strongly recommend. A chapter where the central focus is an ex-wife, a son, or a protege, is actually narrarrated by that person.
More than anything, though, this autobiography is candid. He describes his failings as well as his successes.
I actually listened to the audio book, which I strongly recommend. A chapter where the central focus is an ex-wife, a son, or a protege, is actually narrarrated by that person.
July 12, 2015
Not your typical self-aggrandizing memoir. Q tells the truth on himself even when that truth isn't very pretty. Too, this book can be used as a primer for how to stay relevant as a musician, arranger, producer, songwriter, label exec, film composer and bandleader in an industry that thinks 40 is ancient. Q has one of the most accomplished and polyvalent careers in music, and is first and foremost a humanist and a thinker.
August 30, 2016
Never knew much about Quincy Jones except he was an icon in the music industry. His story of having overcome a difficult childhood and hardships to find the level of success he has is fascinating. He doesn't focus on his shortcomings but he doesn't hide them either. It seems the people he may have wronged in his life--wives and many women in general--have been unable to sustain any grudges against him. Man with a big heart.
February 13, 2018
Reading this book made me realize how "small" my life's problems were as a child in my family of origin. I loved the additional mini-chapters by people like Ray Charles who described at what age they met him and I learned about these other musicians as well. I can't imagine what it was like going through all the discrimination and prejudice they had to endure around all the white privilege that excluded them. It is an absolutely wonderful read!
June 14, 2012
Quincy Jones sure lead a fascinating life, and this book does a fabulous job at detailing all his musical and personal adventures.
I learned some amazing facts about this man, and the book helped to make many events in the music industry "click" for me.
The people he knew - celebs across all genres - just amazed me.
I'd recommend it if you are a music fan.
I learned some amazing facts about this man, and the book helped to make many events in the music industry "click" for me.
The people he knew - celebs across all genres - just amazed me.
I'd recommend it if you are a music fan.
April 28, 2013
Quincy tells his story of his journey from being a young boy fascinated by the sounds of jazz to becoming an international music icon who rubbed shoulders with the high and mighty in and out of the music business. An incredible story of success but for me, too much emphasis on his sexual escapades.
And, I disagree with his conclusions about the future direction of popular music.
And, I disagree with his conclusions about the future direction of popular music.
November 15, 2015
As I am reading and enjoying Neil Young's Waging Heavy Peace, I was thinking back on other musical autobiographies I had read and a bad memory I had repressed came back. This book is truly one of the most self-indulgent, name-dropping and vacuous things I have ever had the misfortune to read. Stay away. It's something a ghostwriter from People magazine might produce. Now, back to Neil.
September 9, 2008
a little bit boring, unless you have a firm handle on all the be-bop and jazz from the 50s. can be a bit tedious, but some great stories of his life. he has an interesting spiritual perspective to his wealth and success.
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