Quincy Jones was considered by many to be one of the greatest music producers and composers during his illustrious 70-plus year career. His death on Sunday November 3 sent shockwaves around the world. But his life was almost cut short 50 years too early by two brain aneurysms.
In an interview with PEOPLE published on March 17, 1974, Jones recalled collapsing in the home he shared with Peggy Lipton before they married later that year. “It felt like the back of my head was taken off with a shotgun,” he said.
Doctors discovered that two blood vessels in Jones’ brain had burst and the music producer nearly died. Brain surgeons operated and discovered a second aneurysm, warning him of the possibility of permanent paralysis if he survived. “If you don’t want to live, it’s so easy to leave,” Jones said of his drive to live. “But all I could think was, ‘God, I’m not ready yet’.”
Peggy Lipton and Quincy Jones in the 1980s.
Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/IPX
How Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson’s album collaboration changed music history
His second operation to treat the second aneurysm took seven and a half hours. “The doctor told me that they sawed off my skull and put it on the table, then put it back with six metal clips,” he said in awe.
In the 2018 interview GQJones revealed that he learned after his health scare that he couldn’t ignore a doctor’s instructions, but not for lack of trying. A clip on a blood vessel in his brain left him unable to play his beloved trumpet and was in danger of the clip popping out, which could lead to his death. However, Jones tried while on tour in Japan and was met with a headache. “I couldn’t get away with it, man,” he said.
Jones eventually made a full recovery from both surgeries, though he struggled with memory loss as a side effect, according to PEOPLE.
Quincy Jones’ most shocking revelations about other celebrities, from Marlon Brando’s sex life to the Beatles’ lack of talent
Michael Jackson’s respected producer died at his home surrounded by family on Sunday, November 3 at the age of 91. “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of the passing of our father and brother, Quincy Jones,” the family said in a statement. “And while this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life he lived and know there will never be another like him.”
Countless people came forward to offer condolences and share memories of working with Jones.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(530x0:532x2)/quincy-jones-Aneurysm-1-110524-7c785e3a1e8341689f546e29c118474d.jpg)
Quincy Jones in Westwood, California on December 10, 2019.
Amy Sussman/Getty
Jamie Lee Curtis, whose childhood home Jones bought to raise his children in, wrote in an Instagram post: “The idea that his children ran and played in the same beautiful, rustic setting of eucalyptus trees makes me so happy. His is a musical legacy and will be written about until the end of time, but the authenticity of the time and place and the DNA of the family are very personal and known to his children who played and grew up there, to his family and friends, my hand is yours.”
And Harry Connick Jr. shared on Instagram: “He was so kind to me, so wonderful, such an influence. His legacy and his music will live on forever. Thank you for everything Q. You were a dude. I love you and will always miss you. Rest in peace .”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education