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An archive classic from 2021:
Quincy Jones said he wouldn’t have worked with Elvis Presley because Presley “was a racist.” When asked why no collaboration had taken place, Quincy Jones responded with one Interview with the Hollywood Reporter out of:
“I was writing for Tommy Dorsey, oh God, it was back in the ’50s. And Elvis came in and Tommy said, ‘I’m not playing with him.’ He was a racist… but now I’ll keep my mouth shut. But every time I saw Elvis Presley, he was being coached by Otis Blackwell, who was teaching him how to sing.”
Otis Blackwell, a songwriter and pianist who had a significant influence on rock and roll, stated in an interview with David Letterman in 1987 that he and Elvis Presley had never met. What is certain, however, is that Blackwell wrote some songs for Elvis Presley, for which Presley was credited as co-author, even though they were written solely by Blackwell.
Quincy Jones was also asked in the interview for his opinion on the anti-racism protests and the “Black Lives Matter” movement, which have become stronger since George Floyd’s death last summer:
“This has been going on for a long time. People have turned their heads, but everything seems the same to me — misogyny, racism. You have to be taught to hate someone. It doesn’t come naturally, I don’t think so. You have to be trained for it. It’s such a bad habit.”
Quincy Jones’ daughter accepts his honorary Oscar
Quincy Jones died on November 3rd at the age of 91 from complications of pancreatic cancer. Even before his death, the composer and producer knew that he should receive an honorary Oscar for his life’s work for his achievements in film music. According to his daughter Rashida Jones, at the time of his death he had already been working on his speech, which the 48-year-old now gave in place of her father.
Quincy Jones’ last words
Rashida Jones took the stage to accept her father’s honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards on Sunday (November 17). Visibly moved, the actress read the 91-year-old’s speech before addressing the audience with her own words.
Quincy Jones is proud of the influence he has had in the industry: “When I was a young film composer, you didn’t even see faces of color working in studio cafeterias. I’m so, so proud that my name and my contributions could be included in this development.”
At the same time, he also wanted to dedicate the award to other important artists: “I share this award and the honor of tonight with all the great directors, legendary actors and of course the extraordinary songwriters, composers and musicians with whom I have formed close friendships over the seven decades of my career in this business and know that I would not exchange this evening or these experiences for anything in the world.”
Rashida Jones then added her own personal words about her father’s legacy to the speech. Attending the awards ceremony was “a difficult decision for our family,” but she wanted to “celebrate his beautiful life and career,” explained Jones, accompanied by her siblings. “Our father passed away two weeks ago today. He was really looking forward to being here tonight and a lot of his family is here. He really, really, really planned on being here with us tonight. And I want you to know that he is here, very present.”
Film and music industry says goodbye
Quincy Jones worked with numerous prominent names throughout his career, such as Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and Donna Summer. With his projects he significantly influenced the careers of many musicians, for which many thanked him again after his death.
New Order and Peter Hook, among others, paid tribute to him and explained that Jones had signed the band to his record label Qwest Records and thereby “made it big in America”. Above all, Peter Hook valued his loving interaction with his fellow human beings. For example, until recently the 68-year-old received “loving messages” from Jones for Christmas and his birthday.
Kamala Harris also paid tribute to the songwriter in a statement: “As a composer, arranger, record and film producer, he created art that brought joy to millions of people.” And through his activist work for civil and human rights, Quincy Jones was a “role model” for “especially young PoC in the music industry”.