The man who is largely credited with being the brains behind Michael Jackson's adult solo success has no plans to pay "The King of Pop" respect at his funeral.
"No, not at all, not at all," Quincy Jones replied when asked whether he was attending the memorial. His reason: "Because it's going to be, like, 9 million people there, and it's not what I want to see."
The 27-time Grammy Award-winning music producer, who tapped Jackson to star in the glitzy film adaption of the Broadway's musical 'The Wiz' in 1977, crafted his seminal 'Off the Wall' album and followed it up with the historical 'Thriller' set."It's surrealistic," Jones, 76, told Details magazine's Web site. "I don't know how to process it at all."
In the past, the 'Soul Bossa Nova' creator swore off funerals because too many of his close friends have passed on. But when it comes to Jackson's memorial, Jones is steering clear.
"My condolences and love I've already sent to the family," he added. "But being there with 10 million people is not my idea of a tribute to somebody you were so close to -- who's got a part of your soul. Our souls were joined, you know. And a piece of it goes with him."
According to published reports, a private family service will be held July 7 at Forest Lawn in Los Angeles. A motorcade will reportedly then go to the Staples Center complex in downtown Los Angeles, where the public memorial will be held.
Jackson died of an apparent cardiac arrest on June 25. He was 50.
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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Comments: (77)
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By: Sheryl on 7/02/2009 10:11PM
Well I, for one respect Quincy's decision not to attend. There will be celebs there who are really there to 'make and appearance' more than anything. The media will turn this into the "event of the year" and I don't think I would want to be apart of that frenzy either. Quincy has decided to remember Michael in his own personal way, and whatever that may be, he has my respect.
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By: just on 7/02/2009 11:49PM
I'm with Quincy.
If I didn't have to go to my mother's funeral, I would not have gone. It was just too painful. So is this.
I don't want to see it. It hurts.
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By: MELANIE on 7/04/2009 3:24AM
AMEN!!
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By: "DimePiece" on 7/03/2009 12:12AM
No, I still think it's wrong. Quincy can go to the private viewing and not go to the public viewing if he doesn't want to be out there with a lot of people. That's an excuse. He got Michael off the ground and made him big. I think by him going to the private viewing to pay his respects is the right thing to do. He is not going for the people but for Michael. I hope he changes his mind? Paying respects to the family over the phone or in person is not enough? Show and pay respect Quincy! Do the right thing! I hope that it will be somewhat televised for those that can't be there on Tuesday?
R.I.P. Michael Jackson
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By: Sheryl on 7/03/2009 12:59AM
I disagree... I had a neighbor once who basically took care of everyone in the neighborhood, but she NEVER went to funerals. She said she always wanted to remember people as they were when she saw them last.
Who's to say Quincy hasn't been communicating and visiting with family? You can never say how you will feel/react or how someone else will feels/reacts if it has never happened to you. People grieve in different ways. It wasn't until six yrs after my grandmother passed away that it HIT me in the worst way and I had a breakdown. I was the strong one, she raised me to be that way, so breaking down was NOT an option.
So... how ever Quincy wants to deal with this, it is his way. But we don't know how he has participated in any of the events so far.
If he attended the BET Awards, he was probably as disgusted as I was by all the disrespect from the hoodlums who call themselves rappers. Ah yes..BET(Black Exploitation Televison) ignorance at its finest.
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By: passion on 7/06/2009 9:47AM
I agree with u 100% I don't know what in the world bet was thinking all the way down to Beyonce, was not good to say that you were there for Michael, and the girl that said the lady was in the bathroom that was just dumb of her.
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By: Satin on 7/03/2009 1:55AM
Quincy is within his rights. We don't get to tell people how to grieve.
Why should he be part of something that might be a media circus. If he cries.. the press will be all over it. If he doesn't show emotion, the press will come down on him for that.
Let the man grieve in private.
MJ knew how much he was loved by Quincy and that's all that matters.
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By: sheila on 7/03/2009 2:57AM
Funerals are for the living not the dead, so stop saying that this is the only way to pay respect. Remembering a person's legacy is far better than a funeral.
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By: LADY V on 7/04/2009 11:56PM
I totally agree. My mother always told me to mourn appropriately, remember me, move on and live. When that life-altering phone call came in that she had died, although heart-broken, I grieved for the moment, took care of the arrangements because now this is business and ALWAYS remember her. Memories are the greatest thing to have...but you can't grieve your whole life, it can literally kill you.
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By: Nikki on 7/03/2009 1:05PM
During the trail Quincy said Mike wasn't his friend, just his Business Associate. Q is fake as they come. And I think he gets way too much credit for MJ's success. No one but the jazz world knew about him. Most of the albums were written by Mike. So what he produced them. It was Mikes video's and performance namely Billie Jean That took him to new heights. His talent. Not Quincy.He needs to go sit his sorry ass somewhere. I understand when MJ said he HAS NO FRIENDS.
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