Why Quincy Jones would ignore “racist” Elvis Presley
Quincy Jones was never shy about allowing his opinion to slip out. The musician, producer, and composer could boast of one of the most impressive careers in the industry, and much of that was forged in his ability to be a tastemaker. While that certainly has some benefits, it also has the issue of meaning you are asked your opinions on every single area of the music business at every opportunity.
Over the years, Jones was rarely afraid to share this view, no matter the subject of the question. Having famously taken The Beatles down a peg before apologising to Paul McCartney, it would seem Jones also had an issue with Elvis Presley and labelled the Graceland icon a “racist”.
There is no doubting Quincy Jones’ extraordinary talents. After all, his work behind the production desk speaks for itself. During his storied life, he received a staggering 80 Grammy nominations and masterminded countless hit records. Jones walked on musical water to the degree that nobody would dare question his outspoken opinion, even if he did once describe The Beatles as “the worst musicians in the world”.
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter as part of their icon series shortly before his death, Jones began reflecting on a career like no other. The piece was largely aimed at celebrating Jones’ work. However, it would always be unavoidable for a few opinions not to sneak out. While Jones was largely pleasant about his contemporaries, he also had some serious condemnation for Presley.
In a wide-ranging discussion, Jones was asked about his opinion on both Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley, to which he replied: “[Jackson] was doing some Elvis copying, too. ‘The King of Pop,’ man. Come on!” Jones said.
While Jones has worked with some of the biggest names in popular culture history, he would never have considered collaborating with Elvis: “No. I wouldn’t work with him,” he said. Given Jones’ role as a fantastic producer and Presley’s penchant for pop hits, one might have considered the match good, but Jones refused to entertain the notion.
“I was writing for [orchestra leader] Tommy Dorsey, oh God, back then in the ’50s,” Jones elaborated on why he would ignore The King. “And Elvis came in, and Tommy said: ‘I don’t want to play with him.’ He was a racist mother — I’m going to shut up now,” Jones notes without too much of a hint of coming through with his threat.
“But every time I saw Elvis, he was being coached by [‘Don’t Be Cruel’ songwriter] Otis Blackwell, telling him how to sing,” he added.
Elsewhere in the interview, Jones discussed the mass racism protests that have erupted after a series of disturbing cases of police brutality. “It’s been coming a long time, man,” Jones said. “People have been turning their heads the other way, but it’s all the same to me — misogyny, racism. You have to be taught how to hate somebody. It doesn’t come naturally, I don’t think. I don’t think so, unless you’ve been trained. I just think it’s such a bad habit.”
