John Legend Says Late Friend Quincy Jones Lived 'One of the Most Consequential Lives' in History: 'The Life of the Party'

Mar. 15, 2025

John Legend and Quincy Jones at a release party in New York City in November 2010.Photo:Joe Corrigan/Getty

Joe Corrigan/Getty

John Legendpaid tribute to the lateQuincy Joneswithan Instagram postthat celebrated both their longtime friendship and Jones’s indelible mark on the music world.

Shortly after Jonesdied at his home in Bel Air, Calif.on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at age 91, Legend recalled thestar’s many accomplishmentsin a lengthy caption alongside various photos of them from over the years.

In one photo, Jones posed proudly with an armful of Grammys at the 1991 Grammy Awards (where he won album of the year, among others), and in another shot, Legend and Jones posed together in 2010. A third picture featured the pair withStevie Wonderin 2017.

The “Wild” singer, 45, wrote that the first time he ever spoke to Jones, whom he called “Q,” the producer “gently reprimand[ed]” Legend, as one of his team members “wasn’t representing me well during my first year in the public eye.”

“What a way to meet one of your heroes 🤦🏾‍♂️,” he wrote.

After that, Legend said the pair became good friends, working together on music and hanging out everywhere from Switzerland to New York City.

“He always called me his little brother because I look like his younger brother Richard,” Legend wrote. “He gave me great advice and always had the best stories. And Lord did he have stories.”

John and Quincy Jones attend an event in Bermuda in October 2009.Rob Loud/Getty

Rob Loud/Getty

“This man has lived one of the most consequential lives in the history of humanity,” Legend wrote. “He was behind some of the most important music and culture we will ever know. And beyond all his accomplishments, anyone who knows Q will talk about the JOY he brought to every room. He was the life of the party, so charming and full of light. I feel so fortunate to have witnessed it in person.”

Legend and Jones have been friends for many years, and in 2023, Legend performed James Ingrams’ “Just Once” at a two-night tribute concert at the Hollywood Bowl celebrating Jones’s 90th birthday.

Quincy Jones.Jim McCrary/Redferns

Jim McCrary/Redferns

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” his family said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him. He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”

source: people.com