The Iconic Collaboration of Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson
Quincy Jones first crossed paths with Michael Jackson in the early 1970s at the home of Sammy Davis Jr. in Los Angeles. At that time, Jackson was just 12 years old, leading his brothers as the charismatic frontman of the Jackson 5. Their initial meeting was merely a fleeting encounter, but their second meeting at the end of the decade would prove to be pivotal, both for them personally and for the evolution of pop music as we know it.
During this significant reunion, Jackson was cast as the Scarecrow in the musical film The Wiz, while Jones took on the role of music supervisor for the project. This collaboration laid the groundwork for an extraordinary partnership that would redefine the music landscape in the 1980s. Over the course of three groundbreaking albums, the synergy between Jones, an esteemed composer, arranger, and producer known for his work in jazz and R&B, and Jackson, the child prodigy eager to carve out a distinctive solo identity, became a career-defining alliance.
Jones, who sadly passed away on Sunday at the age of 91, often reflected on his creative relationship with Jackson. In a revealing interview with The New York Times in 2012, he expressed, “You’re looking at one of the most talented kids in the history of show business. Michael was incredibly observant and detail-oriented. When you combine that with my extensive background in big-band arranging and composing, we felt we had no limitations.”
During their collaboration on The Wiz, Jackson, Jones, and Diana Ross worked closely together, showcasing their remarkable talents. This project not only brought their artistic visions together but also solidified their places in the entertainment industry.
With the release of Off the Wall in 1979, Jackson’s debut solo album, Jones tapped into his vast network of talented studio musicians and collaborators. Among them was Rod Temperton, a key member of the band Heatwave, whom Jones recruited to pen several tracks for the album, including the infectious hits “Rock With You” and “Burn This Disco Out.” The standout single “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough” not only established the album’s signature polished disco sound but also earned Jackson his very first solo Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
