Quincy Jones Interview

John Lennon was a very good rhythm guitarist (Don Everly was a FANTASTIC one!). Is Quincy Jones even aware of the function rhythm guitar plays in Rock ’n’ Roll music? I doubt it. That is just one example of what makes his opinion of The Beatles as musicians irrelevant. The fact that playing rhythm guitar does not take a lot of technique does not mean it is easy to do well, or that it does not require skills of a particular sort. Technique is a matter of the body being trained to perform physical acts, and is only one element of musicianship. Part of superior musicianship is knowing what NOT to play (a non-technique skill), and that is a major element in the playing of rhythm guitar. Rock ’n’ Roll music greatly benefits from superior rhythm guitar parts. That’s why Jeff Lynne’s production of Tom Petty was so successful; there are acoustic rhythm guitar parts all over that album, and Petty’s music is the better for it.

The thing is, Jazz guys don’t respect Rock ’n Roll as a music, and don’t understand the principles involved that make one practitioner of it superior to another. The skill set involved in R & R music are very different from that in Jazz. As Keith Moon replied when asked if he could play in The Buddy Rich Big Band: "No, and Buddy Rich couldn’t play in The Who."

Sorry, I have to disagree humbly.  It is well documented that the beetles weren't very good musicians.  However, set that aside for a minute.  When you put excellent musicians that spent their life in classical or other music training in the same room with a bunch of people that didn't have such training, many times (not always), there will be a marked difference in skill sets.

That is what Quincy Jones is talking about.  It was probably a little anger over how really great jazz musicians weren't appreciated by the general public.  Mostly because, (yes I have to go there), it was considered Black music or Devil's music.  It was not mainstream and was not accepted by the younger people as much.

So, you see these less talented young people getting paid!!!! and the public going crazy (not all the public liked the beetles by-the-way).  The best musicians on the planet (Jazz and blues artist) weren't even noticed for various reasons.  some I mentioned earlier. and yes, that would be a sore spot for someone like Quincy.

Look at Miles Davis. When exactly did he really start to make real money?  Not accounting for horrible companies, managers, and payola.  It was probably around bitches Brew.  When He went more mainstream with fusion and other avenues.  Not pure jazz.  Couldn't make real money that way.

Younger people tend to not want to hear what older people (that were there and experienced it all) have to say.  they choose to believe what they want to believe instead of appreciating what the ones that were in the mix of it all saw, experienced and heard.

I remember some of the parties with the "beautiful people".  entertainers, athletes, wannabies, etc.  bowls of drugs on tables for anyone that wanted.  people slept with almost whomever they wanted.  it was really wild and crazy.  not in a good way. 

If you wanted to advance, you slept with people, you took drugs just to be part of the in-crowd.

I watched and learned, and didn't participate, but realized that once the door was opened to certain things, it was really hard for people to close it. 

Quincy Jones is one of the few remaining people that has been there and done that and bought the tee shirt. 

Again, if you can, go look at his albums when he was the producer.  See the names of the artist that clamored to be on each and every one of his albums.

Sinatra asked Quincy to produce him.  Sinatra!!!! man oh man.

Michael Jackson!!!!

So yeah, when he talks I would listen.  He didn't sound addled.  He sounded like he finally didn't care who's toes he stepped on. 

People put items and groups on pedestals.  The Beetles????  yes, I appreciate their music.  But great musicians??? no way. 

Because he was Black, James Brown had to agree to open for the new group the Rolling Stones.  James Brown opened for them when he was most popular.  That was only because he was black.  However, read the interview about the Rolling Stones.  They said that he naturally killed and they had to follow an impossible act.  They learned his style and used it.

It is what it is. 

so yes, I read a little anger and resentment in his interview. 

People are saying "why is he saying this now instead of earlier"  Well he did in some ways, I remember other interviews, but, also why are women coming forward now about sexual assaults that happened years ago?  Because they feel it is time and now the repercussions may not be as bad.  and maybe they feel it is time to get some things off their chest.  maybe.

Also, the interviewer asked him pointed questions.  He probably figured, what the hell, what do I have to lose?