Rating: 
Summary: Incredibly entertaining & moving story of an incredible life
Review: (...) There aren't words to describe how important this book is. It isn't enough to say that every musician and American music enthusiast should have a copy in their libraries or be wrapping copies up as Christmas gifts immediately. This book should be standard issue in every college American history and music course across America. Unlike any other biographies or history books I have read of such a profoundly gifted, loving, courageous and culturally significant man, Paul Duberman's biography of Paul Robeson, the Autobiography of Malcolm X, and this book of Q's stand as the three most important books of any kind to read. Simply to truly understand the history of America and American music in the 20th century, the African American multifaceted soul, and the National American psyche. Few lives have had the impact on the 20th Century as Quincy Jones' had. Few people on earth and in history can say that their life so threads through the cultural fabric of an entire people and time--internationally speaking--that understanding them, is essentially understanding the entire world from which you come. This man is extraordinary. I had no idea just to what degree, despite all that I thought I knew of him, before reading this book. And this book, as entertaining as a good novel, as informative and eye-opening as a detective story or inside source history book, is destined to become a classic of American letters. God bless him. Play on Q; play on!
Rating: 
Summary: "Q" The Autobiography of Quincy Jones
Review: God knows he was blessed with musicial talent. God knows his beginnings were bad, but, you would think folks would try to leave some kind of legacy (not music). He name drops all through the book. I know you have to tell the story of your life, but, some of these people I just did'nt care about!! These are back round folks. I mean way in the back round who cares!!! Check this out. Nadia Boulanger turned down George Gershwin, but took "Q" as her student. I don't think he was a good jazz musician, so that's why he chose a different path musically. Some Jazz greats did get hungry from time- to- time, but they stayed with it. They might not have as much money, but some of them can sleep at night. I hope his Kids find Love and Happiness!!
Rating:
Summary: Q had an amazing ride
Review: I ,like many of the reviewers below, am just blown away by the accomplishments of this man. His life in music spans decades and musical styles that makes him unique among American musicians. From Lionel Hampton to Frank Sinatra To Michael Jackson to a seemingly endless list of film and TV scores----Q has seen and done it all musically.
The book is very well written and touchingly sentimental in his recollection of deceased family members and friends. At one point I began to wonder if Q ever met a man or a woman he didn't like. He has so much that is positive to say about almost everyone he came into contact with in what is a notoriously sleezy business that I began to wonder if he was just trying to be inoffensive. I concluded at last that this guy is just blessed with a generous heart that allows him to see the best in people. His genuine love of the music and the people who make it with him just jumps off the pages.
This is an inspiring story of a man who has overcome considerable obstacles both social and physcial but has retained his essential positive energy. He is one of the all time greats.
Rating:
Summary: His voice is mesmerizing!
Review: I came of age in disco but cut my teeth on Count Basie and Duke Ellington and am blessed that not a week goes by that Basie does not "swing" me. Quincy was given a gift and he accepted that gift and touches every corner of the world with it. He touches the world through his music, his arrangements and his ability to love and hold on to others. He used that gift to light corners and to leave a legacy that will hold us in this world and in beyond. Q was able to put a little of his "gift" between two covers and to allow we readers to take a little sip. For that I am grateful.
Rating:
Summary: Not just a Count Basie Jones
Review: I came of age in disco but cut my teeth on Count Basie and Duke Ellington and am blessed that not a week goes by that Basie does not "swing" me. Quincy was given a gift and he accepted that gift and touches every corner of the world with it. He touches the world through his music, his arrangements and his ability to love and hold on to others. He used that gift to light corners and to leave a legacy that will hold us in this world and in beyond. Q was able to put a little of his "gift" between two covers and to allow we readers to take a little sip. For that I am grateful.
Rating:
Summary: His voice is mesmerizing!
Review: I just bought the audiotape version of Q: The Autobiography of Quincy Jones. I am only one cassette 3 (out of 4), but I highly recommend it!!! First off, listening to Quincy is like listening to music itself . . . his voice has a melodious pitch and is just infectious! Also, the audiotape (like the text version) features input from family members and friends. Some are famous (like Ray Charles) and others are not (family friends, former wives, etc.). Anyways, hearing their perspective on the same events really adds a lot of flavor to the story . . . and what a story it is! I swear, listening to his life is like listening to a history of 20th century America. He talks about his own experiences with segregation and discrimination as well as broader themes like poverty, mental illness, romance, and spirituality. It's also fascinating to hear behind-the-scenes stories of his close interactions with such musical greats as Lionel Parker, Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, etc., etc. Overall, this is an autobiography that no one shoudl miss!!!
Rating:
Summary: GREAT!
Review: I LOVED QUINCYS' BOOK! I WAS HOOKED FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END. IT WAS VERY BENEFICIAL. UNTIL I READ HIS BOOK I DID NOT KNOW HOW GREAT OF A MUSICAL GENIUS QUINCY WAS(AND STILL IS). I DIDN'TREALIZE THAT HE HAD SUCH A BIG IMPACT ON THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. THROUGH READING QUINCYS' AUTOBIOGRAPHY I BECAME ENLIGHTENED ABOUT OTHER FAMOUS MUSICIANS, SINGERS, AND COMPOSERS. I LEARNED ALOT FROM QUINCYS' BOOK. I JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE HIM IN EVERYTHING HE DOES. ALSO, I WANT TO BE LIKE QUINCY JONES. I ALSO WANT TO WORK IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY.
Rating:
Summary: Quincy Jones, the Power of a Century
Review: I never wanted to buy or read it until I found it interesting. I used to HATE IT, but now I love it. I think Quincy tells it all on he grew up the most wonderful entertainers of the year. I think he could be an inspiration to me. I actually grew up with him since I listen to some albums and artists he work with in past. From Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Patti Austin, James Ingram, Chaka Kahn, Donna Summer, Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Lesley Gore, Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, 2Pac, George Benson, Howard Hewett, Sammy Nestico, The Brothers Johnson, Luther Vandross, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, Steven Spielberg, the whole list goes on and on. Y'know Quincy Jones could be know as the pioneer of music history or else I would the most famous man in town. I think he'll be remember as a person who's trying to make live in the music world and the music business. This is definitely a book I should recommend who wants to hear more about this man and his legacy. He's actually the founder of VIBE magazine which I read all the time which is pretty amazing.
Rating:
Summary: Love Quincy
Review: I really enjoyed listening to this book on tape. I was extremely excited about Q's treatment of Clifford Brown. I am a colleague of Clifford Brown, Jr. Clifford Jr, is a wonderful young man of whom his father would be so proud and Q captured him in a loving, loving way. That's what I can say about the entire book, it is about the life and LOVES of Mr. Jones. I wish I had the opporunity to have known Lloyd, Sarah and other members of the family. Qunicy also gives us a real insight into those who live and work with mental illness. His mother Sarah, survived even though family and society didn't know how to cope with her. She was a brilliant woman managed to hold on, despite her illness. I don't know how to say this delicately but there are many women who look like me who would like to have been able to share the love of this type of American man of African descent. When I mentioned to a friend the book I was listening to, she said, "What is it, a primer on how to be with white women?" No, it is so much more and that is one person's opinion. It has to be read or listened to. Although,Dianh Washington was a lucky woman, despite interferring with his first marriage.. The tape made me cry and there were portions I listend to more than once. I even called Clifford Brown, Jr. to tell him what a beautiful job Quincy did on his talented father. Good book, I recommend it to everyone. Mr. Jones is one of a very special breed. As one reviewer stated, he has done his biography without bad mouthing anyone. Just a lot of love.
Rating:
Summary: An entertainment legend whose story is a must for all ages
Review: i'm hooked.. from the early days in chicago & seattle, to going to berklee and hooking up with lionel hampton.. meeting and becoming friends with all the show biz greats.. bird, basie, hampton, sinatra, dizzy.. studying in paris.. a great testament to a legend in entertainment.. I'm hoping his story becomes a movie like RAY...
i guess when you're really into a book, it goes fast for you.. there may be even more addendums in future releases..
just thinking about the various stories and anecdotes here--
.. the surprisingly integrated middle & high school he attended-- though there was racism bubbling underneath the surface..
His father, a skilled carpenter, did work for a team of racketeers in Chicago.. He would ultimately commit their mother to a mental institute, and abruptly move the family-- with new wife soon to follow-- to Seattle..
...having to deal with a resentful stepmother, who would bar her non-biological children-- Quincy and Lloyd-- from the refrigerator..
getting hired by lionel hampton and kicked off the bus by his wife in the same day.. he was still in high school..
the painful descent of his mother into mental illness while still a boy.. which never went away, as she would drift in and out of he and his brother Lloyd's life, instigating chaotic conflicts regularly.. Still living to the ripe old age of 91.. a chance call to his daughter Kidada finally brought him some sense of closure..
his long-time relationship with Frank Sinatra, at one point telling Jones of his private crush on Billie Holiday.. having a crew of Eastern euro bodyguards to look after him and other black band members while interacting in Las Vegas casinos..
getting involved in scoring movies..
working with michael jackson, whose Gary-bred instincts led him to pick up a brick as he was about to head to his Rolls Royce parked down the block from Q's crib.. in Bel Air..
... the aborted plans for Run DMC to be on the "I'm Bad" song.. meeting with Russell Simmons and his extended rap family.. having a birthday party for his son Quincy III aka "Snoopy", and introducing him.. Quincy III would frequently work next door to Power Play Studios as KRS1 & Rakim recorded there.. and he's now a music producer in his own right..
Jones going on tour, from the east to midwest to the Jim Crow south.. having to sleep and eat at either threadbare black-owned establishments or at private homes, along the so-called "chitlin" circuit.. finally going overseas and experiencing artistic and social freedom-- and women-- and more women.. and more..
Hustling to survive as a band member-- and later, bandleader, living hand to mouth despite turning out nightclubs every evening..
all the romances and flings.. with several famous women..
..i was peripherally aware that he had at least a couple interracial kids, but I didn't know how deep that well went..
meeting at various points, Malcolm X, going to Martin Luther King's funeral, later meeting jesse jackson, getting involved with PUSH..
his fateful aneurism, and a pioneering procedure that saved him.. later going to his own 'tribute' concert that had been planned in case of his death..
his experiences producing TV shows, starting Vibe (including the Madonna scandal-- Q says she hasn't talked to him since... ah well.. ) & his other Entertainment ventures..
... being invited to and almost going to the party where Sharon Tate and several others were killed in the Charles Manson massacre..
going with LL Cool J to see Eazy E as he lay hospitalized with AIDS..
his daughter kidada dating Tupac.. hanging with her and Tupac's family/entourage after his death.. and being warned to stay away from the VIBE party by Kidada after Biggie got shot..
It was a good idea to have chapters by family and close friends, including two ex-wives, a few of his children, and folks like Ray Charles and more, explaining how their relationships with Jones developed..
You really get to know the different, non-public sides of both the author and the many people "Q" has had relationships with over the years, it helps to make them more human..
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