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The late Quincy Jones has been honored for his vast influence on the music industry during the 67th Grammy Awards by Will Smith, Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monáe, Lainey Wilson, Stevie Wonder, and Herbie Hancock.
Quincy Jones played a crucial role in transforming Frank Sinatra’s 'Fly Me to the Moon' into the iconic classic it is today. Though Sinatra originally recorded the song 'Fly Me to the Moon' in 1964, it was Jones’s arrangement that gave it a fresh, jazzy twist. He sped up the tempo and collaborated with the Count Basie Orchestra, adding a vibrant rhythm that elevated the track. This collaboration, featured on the album It Might as Well Be Swing, helped solidify Sinatra's status as a jazz-pop vocalist. The song’s significance grew further when it was played during the Apollo 10 and 11 missions, becoming even more ingrained in American culture.
A bond formed between Sinatra and Quincy Jones beyond a professional association. The two friends developed a close personal friendship whereby Sinatra referred to Jones as 'Q,' and Jones addressed Sinatra as 'Francis' or 'Old Blue Eyes.' Such proximity extended to include moments like when Sinatra whisked Jones away to Las Vegas in 1964 so that they could perform with the Count Basie Orchestra while breaking the laws of racial segregation at that time.
With 28 Grammy Awards under his belt throughout a prominent career, Quincy Jones is perhaps best known for his work on Michael Jackson's record-breaking album, Thriller, and for the classic song 'We Are the World.' He has also garnered several Academy Award nominations for film score work, as well as being awarded the National Medal of Arts. Jones has played a pivotal role in breaking racial barriers in both music and film, placing him among the most powerful music producers ever.
A Tribute to Quincy Jones at the Grammys
With barely restrained emotion, Will Smith took to the podium at the Grammys to honor Quincy Jones, executive producer of his hit '90s sitcom 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.' During a moment of reflection at Jones' expense, Smith told a story of a time Quincy Jones complained about the crew's craft services on set, using the opportunity to remind Smith always to take care of the people behind the scenes who would in turn take care of him. Will Smith summed up his heavy-hearted tribute with:
"Quincy Jones took care of people, and that is how he fed the world,"
The program, which lasted approximately 20 minutes, began with an initial performance of 'Fly Me to the Moon,' featuring Cynthia Erivo with Herbie Hancock.
Lainey Wilson followed with her rendition, and then the stage was graced by Stevie Wonder, who played the harmonica and led a choir in the stirring performance of 'We Are the World.'
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The tribute wrapped up with an electrifying performance by Janelle Monáe of Michael Jackson's 1979 hit 'Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough,' during which she wore a suit inspired by Jackson's own and moonwalked across the stage, capturing the spirit of Quincy Jones' musical legacy.
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