The Weeknd has paid tribute to his late “idol” Quincy Jones – see what The Weeknd wrote on social media below.
READ MORE: Quincy Jones, 1933-2024: mega-producer who broke boundaries with a twinkle in his eye
Yesterday (November 4), news broke of legendary producer Quincy Jones’ death at the age of 91. His death was accompanied by an outpouring of tributes to the late icon. One such tribute now comes from The Weeknd, who shared the foreword he wrote for Jones’ 2022 autobiography 12 Notes on Life and Creativity.
The Weeknd – real name Abel Tesfaye – wrote on X (formerly Twitter) briefly about his fondness of Jones: “My fans know how important Quincy was to the fabric of my music. I was given the opportunity to write a foreword to his book and tried to capture what he meant to me as a human. Let’s celebrate his life today”.
My fans know how important Quincy was to the fabric of my music. I was given the opportunity to write a foreword to his book and tried to capture what he meant to me as a human. Let’s celebrate his life today pic.twitter.com/aUhMabzf8x
— Abel Tesfaye (@theweeknd) November 4, 2024
In the foreword shared by the Canadian musician, Tesfaye hailed Quincy Jones as his “idol” and “the reason why I even do music in the first place”. He wrote in 2022, referring to Jones as “Q”: “Q was my idol in every sense of the word and I tried to soak up any clues to greatness he may have left behind. I felt as though I knew him, because I practically did know everyone about him and his work, but we hadn’t yet met in person.
“Fast forward to 2015, when Victor Drai surprised me by bringing Q to my show at Drai’s Nightclub in Las Vegas. I nearly lost my mind after I heard that my idol was sitting on the side of the stage, about to watch me perform. As soon as I finished my last song, I couldn’t make it over to him fast enough. I was so laser-focused on meeting him (the reason why I even do music in the first place) that i barely even noticed there were fans on the other side of the stage, screaming my name, trying to grab my attention.
Quincy Jones CREDIT: Greg Doherty/Getty
He continued: “The first thing Q told me as I approached him was, ‘Go to your fans. Take pictures and sign autographs with them. I’ll still be here waiting for you afterward. They’re more important.’ Out of all the lessons I learned from watching his public interviews or listening to his productions for hours on end, that one piece of instruction proved to be more meaningful. At that moment, he was teaching me something that I will never forget. Nothing is more valuable than the people around me, and giving back is always better than receiving.”
Towards the end of the foreword, The Weeknd wrote: “So Q, thank you. Thank you for everything you’ve taught me publicly, and everything you’ve taught me through your words and actions.”
Over the years, Jones worked with countless artists including Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and Michael Jackson who he famously produced the iconic albums ‘Off The Wall’, ‘Thriller’ and ‘Bad’ with. ‘Thriller’ is still the biggest selling album of all time.
Paul McCartney and Quincy Jones in 2009. Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage
He also oversaw the all-star recording of 1985 charity record ‘We Are The World’ which was helmed by himself Jackson, Lionel Richie and producer Michael Omartian and raised funds for famine relief in Ethiopia in 1985.
Paul McCartney has since honoured Jones, penning a lengthy tribute post on social media where he recalled being introduced to Jones via The Beatles‘ producer George Martin and his “very positive, loving spirit”.
Among the numerous people who have paid tribute to Jones since the news of his death include Nile Rodgers, Michael Cane, Will Smith and more.
The post The Weeknd pays tribute to “idol” Quincy Jones: “The reason why I even do music in the first place” appeared first on NME.
