We talk about Quincy Jones as a living music legend. But what many don't know is that he came so close to death that he attended… his own farewell ceremony. Yes, we are on a scenario worthy of a dramatic film. In 1974, at just 41 years old, Jones suffered a brain aneurysm which left him with less than a 1% chance of survival. Suffice it to say that at the time, even those close to him didn't believe it.
Imagine this: you're invited to your own memorial service, except, plot twist, you are alive and well. This is exactly what happened to Quincy Jonesthe musical genius behind some of Michael Jackson's biggest hits. Before leaving this world at age 91, the legendary producer had already come close to death in 1974 after a devastating brain aneurysm. The doctors then gave him 1% chance of survival. Spoiler alert : he survived, and even better, he attended a concert organized in his honor.
The man who cheated death
Quincy Jones recounts the episode to GQ in 2018: “Like someone blew my brains out. The main artery to your brain is bursting, you know. » The prognosis was so bleak that his friends planned a ceremony to bid him farewell. But Quincy survived the first aneurysm. The concert planned in his honor? Maintained. The scene? The mythical Shrine Auditorium from Los Angeles. The line-up? Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Billy Eckstine, Cannonball Adderley, with a touch of humor brought by Richard Pryor.
« The neurologist told me I could go to the concert, but I couldn't get excited. Serious ? Watching Ray Charles and Marvin Gaye without getting excited? Impossible ! » explains Quincy to Hollywood Reporter. Result ? Doctor on call at his side, Quincy attends what could have been his funeralin great shape… or almost.
See his funeral…and continue to make history
Quincy described this experience as a kind of “spiritual awakening.” “ I practically attended my own funeral… It was special to see so many people there to celebrate what would have been my 41 years of life », he shared on the networks. This moment gave him a new perspective on life and artistic creation. Result ? After his second operation, he started again with a vengeance, enjoying a string of successes with iconic albums like Thriller and iconic projects like We Are the World.
Fun fact : Quincy had already escaped death the first time in 1969deciding not to go to a party at Sharon Tate the night she was murdered by the Manson Family. As he himself says, “ the operation really freed me. I felt like I had nothing to lose… After the operation, I had a vision of what I wanted to do with my life. »
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