Home » Open letter to Quincy Jones Michael Gomes Last updated on February 12, 2018 at 11.12 am Let bygones be bygones. Let the dead RIP. That's a phrase that should right now be running in Quincy Jones' head. With all due respect to one of the greatest musicians and music producers of our times, I beg to differ with statements made by Quincy recently. In a conversation (with Vulture), Quincy has been ranting and raving about other legends from the musical fraternity. Mr Q (as he is fondly known in the industry) took pot shots at Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles and some other celebs. In my honest opinion, Mr Q has 'lost it'. Oh, Quincy, why are you raking up these issues now? Some of these artistes are not alive to defend themselves. So what's eating you? What is that you're not telling us? What's bothering you? We already know that you have won a suit over royalties against Michael Jackson's estate last year when a jury in Los Angeles awarded you $9.4 million in damages over an issue about being underpaid for a share of royalties for the use of music in the Jackson film This Is It as well as two Cirque du Soleil shows. Now, your teaming up with MJ was one of the most fruitful relationships in the history of pop music, a partnership that set the bar high and changed the face of pop forever. So why are you giving this historic pairing a bad name? Mr Q, you have to be more transparent and explain to music lovers why you didn't spill the beans about MJ's Machiavellian ways when the King of Pop created history in 1984 by becoming the first artiste to sweep the Grammys with a record haul of eight wins for Thriller. Why then are you now accusing him of stealing Billie Jean which you say is ripped off from a Donna Summer song. Were you not part of the Thriller process and turning MJ into a legend? If you didn't hold him in such high esteem, then why was this your statement after his death: "To this day, the music we created together on Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad is played in every corner of the world and the reason for that is because he had it all... talent, grace, professionalism and dedication. He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him." Let me tell you about the very song you have a bone to pick with. MJ was so confident of Billie Jean that he even went on record to say that, "A musician knows hit material. Everything has to feel in place. It fulfils you and it makes you feel good. That's how I felt about Billie Jean. I knew it was going to be when I was writing it." It doesn't matter what inspired his song. What's wrong with a little inspiration from somewhere? Even you perhaps drew inspiration from the greats of your times. You also said nasty things about Jimi Hendrix's Woodstock performance. You can't take away the fact that Jimi is as important to rock music as Andy Warhol is to pop art. The Beatles you said are not musicians. Every dance hall, radio station has danced to The Beatles' tunes, and in their heyday, they packed stadiums. At 84, with six decades of experience and perhaps a mansion full of trophies and awards and scholarships to show, why do you need to make such loose statements? Then again, showbiz is all about being in the news, and by habit, we guess that's what you are doing! You're just trying to stay relevant in the times... michael@khaleejtimes.com
Get with reality....Michael is one who named himself the King of Pop, he demaded that his record company and MTV refer to him as such at the begining of the 90s. He certainly wasn't the King of Pop in 1984 ! Who gives a shit, if Quincy has an opinion that differs from anyones, he was asked questions and he answered. Big deal if he didn't like Hendrix at Woodstock and thought the Beatles were shitty musicians...How many people think Madonna is a shitty musician ?...it won't change anything (about how they are viewed). Stop whining over NOTHING.
Somebody tell me what medical school @QuincyDJones went to ? Since he is now an expert on vitiligo and knows more than Michael Jackson’s autopsy report ?
A doctor had diagnosed Jackson with Vitilogo in 1986, but insists that the condition was a result of skin-bleaching chemicals rather than heredity. Jackson claimed in 1993 interview with Oprah that a genetic disease cause his skin to be blotchy.
Somebody tell me what medical school @QuincyDJones went to ? Since he is now an expert on vitiligo and knows more than Michael Jackson’s autopsy report ?
A doctor had diagnosed Jackson with Vitilogo in 1986, but insists that the condition was a result of skin-bleaching chemicals rather than heredity. Jackson claimed in 1993 interview with Oprah that a genetic disease cause his skin to be blotchy.
Another fool, here we go again... where are your sources?
All on tape.... I wonder if Quincy Jones remembers his own words .....the words that he once spoke.
Michael Jackson's Thriller. Audio Documentary. Michael Jackson's Thriller. Mini Audio Documentary. Contains interviews with Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton. Includes the MJ ET song, a rare demo of Billie Jean,a track that was dropped from the final album (Carousel) and the original Vincent Price voice dub inc the dropped 3rd verse on Thriller.
Yeah, pretty much everything that's on the final track is included on this demo.
Maybe State of indepence stole from Billy Jean
Dates don't lie
Here is also a home demo of Don't Stop Till You Get Enough
What Quincy is referring to as the mid-8 is what an arranger does not a composer.
In those days Writer, Producer and Arranger had very different roles, and Quincy knows this better than anyone. So I dont know what his deal is.
Today those roles are a bit more blurred of course, so that's why you get 6 writers credits on a song. Because if you add say a synth arrangement for the song you are automatically a writer.
Yeah, pretty much everything that's on the final track is included on this demo.
Maybe State of indepence stole from Billy Jean
Dates don't lie
Here is also a home demo of Don't Stop Till You Get Enough
What Quincy is referring to as the mid-8 is what an arranger does not a composer.
In those days Writer, Producer and Arranger had very different roles, and Quincy knows this better than anyone. So I dont know what his deal is.
Today those roles are a bit more blurred of course, so that's why you get 6 writers credits on a song. Because if you add say a synth arrangement for the song you are automatically a writer.
I always thought with popmusic, you write a melody and lyrics. An arranger makes the instrumentation. If i make a remix of billy jean witj a different instrumentation, im still not the writer.
Home » Open letter to Quincy Jones Michael Gomes Last updated on February 12, 2018 at 11.12 am Let bygones be bygones. Let the dead RIP. That's a phrase that should right now be running in Quincy Jones' head. With all due respect to one of the greatest musicians and music producers of our times, I beg to differ with statements made by Quincy recently. In a conversation (with Vulture), Quincy has been ranting and raving about other legends from the musical fraternity. Mr Q (as he is fondly known in the industry) took pot shots at Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles and some other celebs. In my honest opinion, Mr Q has 'lost it'. Oh, Quincy, why are you raking up these issues now? Some of these artistes are not alive to defend themselves. So what's eating you? What is that you're not telling us? What's bothering you? We already know that you have won a suit over royalties against Michael Jackson's estate last year when a jury in Los Angeles awarded you $9.4 million in damages over an issue about being underpaid for a share of royalties for the use of music in the Jackson film This Is It as well as two Cirque du Soleil shows. Now, your teaming up with MJ was one of the most fruitful relationships in the history of pop music, a partnership that set the bar high and changed the face of pop forever. So why are you giving this historic pairing a bad name? Mr Q, you have to be more transparent and explain to music lovers why you didn't spill the beans about MJ's Machiavellian ways when the King of Pop created history in 1984 by becoming the first artiste to sweep the Grammys with a record haul of eight wins for Thriller. Why then are you now accusing him of stealing Billie Jean which you say is ripped off from a Donna Summer song. Were you not part of the Thriller process and turning MJ into a legend? If you didn't hold him in such high esteem, then why was this your statement after his death: "To this day, the music we created together on Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad is played in every corner of the world and the reason for that is because he had it all... talent, grace, professionalism and dedication. He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him." Let me tell you about the very song you have a bone to pick with. MJ was so confident of Billie Jean that he even went on record to say that, "A musician knows hit material. Everything has to feel in place. It fulfils you and it makes you feel good. That's how I felt about Billie Jean. I knew it was going to be when I was writing it." It doesn't matter what inspired his song. What's wrong with a little inspiration from somewhere? Even you perhaps drew inspiration from the greats of your times. You also said nasty things about Jimi Hendrix's Woodstock performance. You can't take away the fact that Jimi is as important to rock music as Andy Warhol is to pop art. The Beatles you said are not musicians. Every dance hall, radio station has danced to The Beatles' tunes, and in their heyday, they packed stadiums. At 84, with six decades of experience and perhaps a mansion full of trophies and awards and scholarships to show, why do you need to make such loose statements? Then again, showbiz is all about being in the news, and by habit, we guess that's what you are doing! You're just trying to stay relevant in the times... michael@khaleejtimes.com
Get with reality....Michael is one who named himself the King of Pop, he demaded that his record company and MTV refer to him as such at the begining of the 90s. He certainly wasn't the King of Pop in 1984 !
Furthermore, how was Michael not the King of Pop in 1984? Having the biggest selling of all time, being the first (of only 2 people in history) to have the highest-selling album for 2 straight years, being the first to win 8 Grammys, being the frontman/star attraction of the highest-grossing tour of the year and revolutionizing an underutilized medium in the music video and being the leading force in diversifying MTV as well as helping to finally make it a profitable venture is somehow not enough to be considered worthy of being the King of Pop?
Are you foolish or are you foolish? [Edited 2/19/18 8:28am]
Quincy is stretching the truth. I could’ve sworn hall & oats said MJ said he borrowed from them in BJ and they said fine, because borrowed from somewhere else.
Home » Open letter to Quincy Jones Michael Gomes Last updated on February 12, 2018 at 11.12 am Let bygones be bygones. Let the dead RIP. That's a phrase that should right now be running in Quincy Jones' head. With all due respect to one of the greatest musicians and music producers of our times, I beg to differ with statements made by Quincy recently. In a conversation (with Vulture), Quincy has been ranting and raving about other legends from the musical fraternity. Mr Q (as he is fondly known in the industry) took pot shots at Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles and some other celebs. In my honest opinion, Mr Q has 'lost it'. Oh, Quincy, why are you raking up these issues now? Some of these artistes are not alive to defend themselves. So what's eating you? What is that you're not telling us? What's bothering you? We already know that you have won a suit over royalties against Michael Jackson's estate last year when a jury in Los Angeles awarded you $9.4 million in damages over an issue about being underpaid for a share of royalties for the use of music in the Jackson film This Is It as well as two Cirque du Soleil shows. Now, your teaming up with MJ was one of the most fruitful relationships in the history of pop music, a partnership that set the bar high and changed the face of pop forever. So why are you giving this historic pairing a bad name? Mr Q, you have to be more transparent and explain to music lovers why you didn't spill the beans about MJ's Machiavellian ways when the King of Pop created history in 1984 by becoming the first artiste to sweep the Grammys with a record haul of eight wins for Thriller. Why then are you now accusing him of stealing Billie Jean which you say is ripped off from a Donna Summer song. Were you not part of the Thriller process and turning MJ into a legend? If you didn't hold him in such high esteem, then why was this your statement after his death: "To this day, the music we created together on Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad is played in every corner of the world and the reason for that is because he had it all... talent, grace, professionalism and dedication. He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him." Let me tell you about the very song you have a bone to pick with. MJ was so confident of Billie Jean that he even went on record to say that, "A musician knows hit material. Everything has to feel in place. It fulfils you and it makes you feel good. That's how I felt about Billie Jean. I knew it was going to be when I was writing it." It doesn't matter what inspired his song. What's wrong with a little inspiration from somewhere? Even you perhaps drew inspiration from the greats of your times. You also said nasty things about Jimi Hendrix's Woodstock performance. You can't take away the fact that Jimi is as important to rock music as Andy Warhol is to pop art. The Beatles you said are not musicians. Every dance hall, radio station has danced to The Beatles' tunes, and in their heyday, they packed stadiums. At 84, with six decades of experience and perhaps a mansion full of trophies and awards and scholarships to show, why do you need to make such loose statements? Then again, showbiz is all about being in the news, and by habit, we guess that's what you are doing! You're just trying to stay relevant in the times... michael@khaleejtimes.com
Get with reality....Michael is one who named himself the King of Pop, he demaded that his record company and MTV refer to him as such at the begining of the 90s. He certainly wasn't the King of Pop in 1984 ! Who gives a shit, if Quincy has an opinion that differs from anyones, he was asked questions and he answered. Big deal if he didn't like Hendrix at Woodstock and thought the Beatles were shitty musicians...How many people think Madonna is a shitty musician ?...it won't change anything (about how they are viewed). Stop whining over NOTHING.
[Edited 2/12/18 12:33pm]
Are u sure about that? The media already called him King of Pop in Feb 8, 1984.
Ages ago I read that Brad Buxer was never credited with Stranger In Moscow, well before Michael's death ( maybe it was after...), in a written interview from Brad himself.
http://info.sonicretro.or...mber_2009)
It takes a 'special' kind of person to do things like this, in my opinion. Special in a negative way. Definitely one of Michael's faults.
Michael was trained since a very young age about what makes for good PR, why and how his heroes lost it all in the later parts of their careers, playing hard with sharks, dirty tricks, etc. He was trained since a young age to be the biggest and best. Maybe this was a part of that: not giving people their dues. [Edited 2/20/18 14:04pm]
Ages ago I read that Brad Buxer was never credited with Stranger In Moscow, well before Michael's death ( maybe it was after...), in a written interview from Brad himself. http://info.sonicretro.or...mber_2009)
It takes a 'special' kind of person to do things like this, in my opinion. Special in a negative way. Definitely one of Michael's faults.
Michael was trained since a very young age about what makes for good PR, why and how his heroes lost it all in the later parts of their careers, playing hard with sharks, dirty tricks, etc. He was trained since a young age to be the biggest and best. Maybe this was a part of that: not giving people their dues. [Edited 2/20/18 14:04pm]
While I don't condone not giving due credit, if this is the only instance of Mike doing this then it isn't nearly as bad as you seem to be making it out to be. Just check the writing credits on his albums, there are many songs that weren't written by him and the writers of these particular sings were properly recognized. If MJ was really notorious for not giving the people he worked with the credit he deserved, I'm sure we'd see his name on every song to his name but that isn't the case.
You could also argue there could be more examples of Mike not giving due credit in addition to "SIM" but that remains to be seen. Based in what we do know there is no reason to simply assume Mike did this all the time.
Besides, in saying these things about Mike, Quincy doesn't seem to realize that he's indirectly snitching on himself since he was Michael's producer and while he didn't do everything for Mike like many on here would have you believe, he was still one of the primary contributors in the making of Mike's music for his 3 biggest albums. This is like your boss selling you out for some wrongdoing you supposedly committed in an attempt to escape blame while the alleged crime happened under their watch.
Thanks....but the damage has been done, especially to MJ (who he has been dissing for 9 years now). It will be interesting to see if this statement gets the same publicity as those recent interviews. I doubt it.
[Edited 2/22/18 12:13pm] [Edited 2/22/18 12:38pm]
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your radio show is AMAZING 
