How the collaboration between Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson changed music history

The producer and singer worked on ‘Off the Wall’, ‘Thriller’ and ‘Bad’, which cemented the duo’s place in music history

Quincy Jones And Michael Jackson‘s collaborations are among the greatest in music history.

Jones, the legendary producer who died on November 3 at the age of 91worked with many artists throughout his decades-long career, including Jackson, who died in 2009. Their collaborations, From the wall, Thriller And Bad can be credited with crowning Jackson King of Pop.

According to The Hollywood Reporterthey met when Jackson was 12 years old at Sammy Davis’ house. “I need you to help me find a producer,” Jones recalled Jackson saying. “I’m getting ready to make my first solo album.” And the rest was history.

Music the pair released includes ‘Billie Jean’, ‘Bad’, ‘Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough’ and of course ‘Thriller’, the album of which became one of the best-selling albums of all time . Jones and Jackson earned nine No. 1 songs and sold millions of albums together.

Thriller Jones won a Grammy for album of the year and record of the year for “Beat It” at the 1983 awards ceremony.

Related: The life of Quincy Jones in photos

Their work together went beyond Jackson’s albums. In 1985, Jones produced “We Are the World” with Jackson’s help. The single that helped humanitarian efforts in the US and Africa, raised $75 million and took home four Grammys in 1986.

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“I promise you that 50, 75, 100 years from now the music will be remembered,” Jones said of Jackson in 2009 for a Los Angeles Timesop-ed after his death.

“It’s no coincidence that almost thirty years later, wherever I go in the world, in every club and karaoke bar, like clockwork, you hear ‘Billie Jean,’ ‘Beat It,’ ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin,’ ‘Rock with You’ and ‘Thriller.’ “

The legacies of Jones and Jackson alone are impressive, but together they have strengthened in many historical ways. Here’s a look back at their consistent collaborations.

From the wall

The 1979 album, considered a turning point in Jackson’s career, included hits like the wedding reception staple “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” — the six-minute song that was unusual for radio stations, according to IndieWire – and “Rock with you.”

“Quincy Jones produced it and we had a ball,” Jackson said of the album in an interview with Blues & Soul via Rolling stone. “It was the smoothest album I’ve ever been involved with. There was so much love, it was incredible. Everyone worked together so easily.”

Jones’ expertise helped Jackson define his musical style beyond his famous family’s band, The Jackson 5. From the wall a Michael Jackson album,” Jackson said via Rolling stone. “I had made ballads with (my) brothers, but they had never been that enthusiastic about them and did them more as a concession to me than anything else.”

“Michael had left the realm of bubblegum pop and planted his flag square in the heart of the musical heartbeat of the ’80s,” Jones wrote in the Los Angeles timein 2009. “but what came next, I don’t think any of us were ready for it.”

Rolling stoneHis 1979 review of the album stated that it “represents post-Motown glamor at its most stylish”, calling it a “triumph”. Writing credits for the album go to Paul McCartney for “Girlfriend” and Stevie Wonder for “I Can’t Help It,” making his star power even more impressive.

Thriller

Jones recalled that working on the 1982 album as a whole was exhausting, even though the album title song became a phenomenon.

“When we finished ‘Beat It,’ we had three studios,” Jones said Rolling stone in 2009, following Jackson’s death that year. “We had Eddie Van Halen in one; Michael sat in another and sang part of it through a cardboard tube; and we were mixing another one. We worked five nights and five days, without sleep. And at one point the speakers overloaded and caught fire!”

Despite the intense atmosphere, Jones said The Guardianin 2014, things were “as loose as you can get!” working on the album. “We were joking and having fun. Are you kidding? You gotta know how to party. If you get tense, the music will sound like nothing.” I always said, “Always leave a little room for God to walk.” in the room.’ “

Thriller including “Beat It,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “Billie Jean” and “PYT (Pretty Young Thing).” Variety reports that ThrillerIt has sold more than 110 million copies worldwide.

“Where smaller artists need a string section or a lustful explosion from a synthesizer, Jackson only has to sing to convey deep, heartfelt emotions,” Rolling stonesaid of Jones’ production of the album in 1983.

Jackson also won eight Grammys for it thriller including album of the year and record of the year, and broke through worldwide.

Related: Quincy Jones puts A-list superstars under control – with just one sign! — for ‘We are the world.’ Here’s how he did it

Bad

For the 1987 album, Jones drew some inspiration from Jackson’s own life for their final collaboration. “All the turmoil (in Jackson’s life) started piling up, so I said I thought it was time for him to make a very honest album where he wrote all the songs. I suggested that Bad,” Jones shared Rolling stone in 2017.

“I loved it every time we went into the studio, and that was a lot. We stayed up for five days and nights without sleeping when we were on a roll.” He added. “They carried second engineers on stretchers. I smoked 180 cigarettes a day. I don’t smoke anymore.’

Jackson was 29 at the time and embarked on his first solo concert tour that year.

According to VH1Jackson reportedly wrote 60 songs for the album, but Jones talked him into writing an 11-song album. This gave birth to songs like the catchy pop songs “Smooth Criminal” and “The Way You Make Me Feel” and more spiritual songs like “Man in the Mirror”.

“Mr. Jackson and his longtime producer Quincy Jones have come up with synthesizer-driven arrangements that are bright yet pack a punch,” he said. New York Timessaid of the 1987 album. “Amid the modern electronica, you can taste older soul music, with the rolling groove and blues harmonies of ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ and the gospel-tinged lift of ‘Man in the Mirror.’ “

”Bad does not strive for as many emotional extremes as Thrillerthe publication’s review added. ‘It’s a well-crafted, catchy dance record from an enigmatic pop star.’

Bad was estimated to sell 45 million copies worldwide.