Quincy Jones “Michael Jackson Didn’t Want To Be Black” – Music producer Quincy Jones did a very controversial interview with Details Magazine to talk about the late Michael Jackson’s skin color issues.
You were there to witness the strange evolution in Michael’s appearance. Did you ever step in and saying anything about it?
Oh, we talked about it all the time. But he’d come up with, “Man, I promise you I have this disease,” and so forth, and “I have a blister on my lungs,” and all that kind of b.s. It’s hard, because Michael’s a Virgo, man—he’s very set in his ways. You can’t talk him out of it. Chemical peels and all that stuff.
But it must’ve been so disturbing to see Michael’s face turn into what it turned into.
It’s ridiculous, man! Chemical peels and all of it. And I don’t understand it. But he obviously didn’t want to be black.
Is that what it was?
Well, what do you think? You see his kids?
Did you ever discuss it? Did you ever ask, “Michael, don’t you want to be a black man?”
No, no, no, please. That’s not the way you do it.
But he was beautiful before?
Man, he was the most gorgeous guy.
But he seemed to have some deep-seated issue with how he looked?
Well, that comes about a certain way. I’m not sure how it happens. I’m just a musician and a record producer. I’m not a psychiatrist. I don’t understand all that stuff. We all got problems. But there’s a great book out called Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart. Did you see that? That book says the statute of limitations has expired on all childhood traumas. Get your stuff together and get on with your life, man. Stop whinin’ about what’s wrong, because everybody’s had a rough time, in one way or another.
I’ve heard you say that you wanted Michael to sing “She’s Out of My Life,” the great pop ballad from Off the Wall, in part because you felt like he had to deal with reality.
I just wanted to hear him deal with a romantic relationship with a human being rather than a rat. I’m saying that facetiously, but it’s true. I saw him at the Oscars very emotional about “Ben.” I wanted to hear him get in touch with a real human relationship. “She’s Out of My Life” was written by Tommy Bahler from a very bad ending to a marriage. So it was very real. I was saving it for Sinatra. But I gave it to Michael. And Michael cried during every take, and I left the tears in.
What are your thoughts on this?
shut up Quincy! the man is dead are you going to get on the dog michael train too? what difference does that really make now. Don’t degrade him anymore please, he had enough of that while he was alive. Love the man for his music and talent and what he gave to the world. He gave so much to charity and underpriviledged children but people just want to talk about the negative. Sounds like you have a little hidden anger about something. You were supposed to be his friend. You don’t see Berry Gordy saying negative things about him. Give it a break and let the man rest in peace. We love you michael and I hope you are now with the Lord
Im black and cute! and i feel very sad for Mike. Not really sure what was in his mind. But, lets let him rest in peace…he did a great job in the earth!
I have never seen anybody who bleach look like Michael Jackson. Bleached skin tone is totally different from Michael skin tone. For goodness sake the man had a desease called Vitiligo. Why cant people accept that? RIP Michael.
I guess everyone has to get their two cents in. Let him rest. He is gone now and everyone needs to leave him alone. His children are suffering enough and so is his family. Quincy, I had a lot of respect for you but I am disappointed now. Please show some better class.
I dont understand quincy jones…….what difference does it make if he didnt wanted to be black we all have issues and moving on is very deep things to talk bout. Have respect to MJ atleast he was concious enough to help create the better world for u and me, that shows he cared for both races………..I DONT BELIEVE MICHAEL HATED TO BE BLACK. i’M BLACK AND I FEEL MICHAEL LOVED ALL HUMAN BEING EQUALLY……….GET LIFE QUINCY
WTF quincy jones … michael was a human like you man im sure he was proud of being black and if he wasn’t den f@*# it. its not your problem. he was a grate singer, a grate dancer. a grate man he was very kind. he loved children even though he didnt have the best childhood he tried to give the best time to his children and to other. he showed that it does not matter wat skin color you are you can be anything. he joined all diffrent kinds of races together. now you see blacks latinos and white getting together and enjoying time together hearing his music….. people dancing and s#!+ like that
thx micheal we oue you one …………………………………. now get a dam life quincy
how would you like people say you aint proud of what u are
Now everyone has something to say. Mike was the best. Rest In Peace!!
Once again, it’s funny to see how Michael’s so-called “friends” are now coming out of the woodworks to regain some relevance in popular culture, as Lisa Marie Presley had with her bogus statement. Yet, she left Michael high and dry like everyone else. And Quincy, it’s funny you’re saying this stuff when Michael is no longer here to physically defend himself– you couldn’t say this stuff to his face. The interviewer asked if Quincy ever asked Michael, “Don’t you want to be a black man?” And Quincy responds, “No no no, please. That’s not the way you do it.” Well, you know why you never asked Michael that? Because you’re lying! Michael loved being a black man and you’re full of yourself. It’s funny how you’re speaking of Michael and his “white children” when your wives have been “white” and your girlfriend on which you were cheated on your wife– you know, that busted chick that played on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta”? You know, the one that called you “Big Poppa”? And you’re trying to dish dirt on Michael when you’re an adulterer and disloyal friend? Why didn’t you believe Michael? I can respect what you’ve brought to the entertainment world, but you’ve lost my respect for you as a human being.
Michael, I love you hun– rest in peace! I know God is taking care of you.
i cant believe quincy jones said those things about michael jackson! quincy jones made the most money in career working with michael jackson. MICHAEL JACKSON was the best entertainer ever black or white! In the next 100 years he still will not be matched! RIP Michael beause you were the greatest, best EVER! michael jackson would have never said anything bad about quincy jones! he always said he loved him!
quincy jones is a dirty bitch it’s all about money .he should stop hating
I have lost respect for Quincy. I didn’t know he was the type of person to turn on his friends like that. Funny how he never said any of this when Michael was alive and could defend himself. Plus who is he to talk about not wanting to be black. Has anyone seen him with a black women? Look at his children and grandchildren. Some of them are lighter than Michael’s kids! This man has a whole lot of nerve! Nuff respect for what you’ve done for the music industry but for you as a man? Ha I’ve now lost all respect!
Michael never had any true friends in his life I guess. Thats the only reason he surrounded himself with small kids who will not let him down. He was purest and innocent to the core. The only reason anyone would hate him will be that they cannot reach his height ever in their life time. He is the only one who touched so many lives, who made everyone laugh and cry with him. He touched so many souls with his wonderful music and songs. He changed so many lives by sharing his wealth for charity. He is one human being I would respect all my life. He gave and gave so much to the world, he was such a sensitive person with such a soft heart, but the media and people crushed him and trampled him. Poor soul I cannot even imagine the plight of him when he lived on this earth the world he loved most threw dirt at him.
Michael – my biggest dream of meeting you and saying how much I love and adore you will never be a reality.
May you rest in peace 🙂
SHUT UP QUINCY ! … you become known to us because MICHAEL make you up to it…
HE DID ALL THE HARD WORK WHILE YOU DID SMALL PORTION ONLY… EVERYBODY KNOW TAT !!!
LEAVE THE MAN ALONE IN PEACE…. RESPECT HIM WILL YOU JUST LIKE YOUR OLD GLORIOUS DAY IN THOSE 80 ERA !!!
DONT MOCK OR BULLSHITTING HIM WHEN HE CANT TAKE YOU TO THE TOP FLOOR ANYMORE…
JESUS… HOW I MUCH I HATE THOSE PEOPLE WHOM IN THEIR EYES ONLY SEE MONEY MONEY MONEY !!! RICH RICH RICH !!! BUTT LICKING FACES !!!
I don’t know. I don’t think this article is legitimate. If Jones, one of MJ’s closest friends and co-workers didnt believe that he had vitiligo, then who would? And I doubt anyone is that low to say that after one of their closest friends has died. But if it is true, I am really trying to figure out how MJ put up with him for so long. Poor MJ, I wonder if he knew that Jones thought he didnt want to be black. Gees, I don’t blame Michael for getting close to Bubbles, chimps cant do this to you. RIP MICHAEL. sorry that you couldnt trust people because they were all money/publicity sucking leeches.
Pleeeeeeeeease leave Michael alone . He was the cutest man EVER! I know when his skin color changed he wasn’t as cute ,but who cares. He had VITILIGO. Duh. People need to stop worrying about skin color. I’m black. So what . Ever since Michael died, all of his friends have turned on him. I’m only 13 and I know not to do that. His friends said that they knew Michael was using drugs. What kind of friend is that. Try to make him stop then. I LOVE MICHAEL SO MUCH. I’M HIS #1 FAN AND I’LL STOP LOVING HIM. HE WAS SO CUTE BACK IN THE 70’S AND EARLY 80’S THOUGH. Michael is dead show a little affectionate. I love all of the tributes. I hate all of the nonsense. And Michael Jackson didn’t molest any one ,and he isn’t gay. He has had more girlfriends then any one in the whole world combined.
I meant to say on the 7th line that I’LL NEVER STOP LEAVING HIM SORRY MICHAEL.
IM JALISA SILLIMAN I DID THE TWO ABOVE BOTH ARE MESSED UP.
It is apparent Quincy Jones was not Michael’s friend. A friend would not demean the memory of a friend.
As far as skin color, Michael had Vitiligo. It is exascerbated by stress. Considering what he had to grow up with and live with, he had more than average stress.
Racial identity in this country is complex. Michael Jackson was not the only black person with straightened hair and surgically altered features – especially in Hollywood. There is a reason for this, not necessarily that a person does not want to be black. Some people love their blackness, but hate the limitations. It is one of the residual effects of slavery . For generations, Americans have been taught that all things African are bad. The American beauty standard has been European: straight hair and chiseled features. And if an African type person buys into that way of thinking, more than anything it suggests they are feeling a lack of acceptance. It is obvious to me that as a child, Michael was not told how beautiful he was, at least not to the extent that it became part of his mindset. If certain people had loved him and accepted him the way he was, he may not have felt a need to change.
Quincy Jones was wrong. Michael Jackson’s autopsy proved that Michael had skin and lung diseases. Quincy should apologize for his misunderstanding because people think he is Michael’s close friend. What he said in the interview really hurts Michael even though Michael is longer with us.
Quincy Jones just has to grow up a bit…. poor Mike is no longer alive, as a so called “friend”, how does Quincy sleep at night?? Please Mr “Perfect” Q Jones do not let the love of money and fame take the humanity off you. LET “YOUR FRIEND” REST and think of the good old times you had together! Do not hurt him anymore!! he never hurt you. (not that we know of anyway!). Let go off him, OK! The world loves you too Quincy, don’t be sad..
Most of the times we don’t know our own reasons to act in a certain way, so who are we to judge someone else’s? People deal with their issues differently; we will never really know what goes on inside of their heads. It would be great to finally allow Michael Jackson some peace. His work will live forever and we should be thankful for all the moments his music were part of our lives. Give him some respect!
QUINCY, YOU NEED TO SHUT YOUR MOUTH. YOU CALL HIM YOUR FRIEND.
OH NO! MICHAEL JACKSON WAS LIKE A SON TO ME. DOES THAT STATEMENT RING ANY BELLS. YOU SAID THAT DAYS AFTER HE PASS AWAY.
I CAN DO WITHOUT FRIENDS LIKE THIS.
quincy should be ashamed of himself, michael always talked about how he loved Q. how he was a brilliant man. michael only tried to show the world what love really is, tried to treat people with respect, and they stabbed him in the back. michael was always beautiful. i love u michael. i miss you so much it hurts. i hate how they treated you. i pray for his family to stay strong.
michael is an angel sent from heaven. i love you for ever.
Shame on you Quincy!!!!!!!!!Shame, shame, shame! I guess u are perfect don’t u? everybody has his story his secrets, has his dark side. BE a GENTLEMAN PLS!!!!!!!!
MICHAEL was a Gentleman take lessons from him, u didn’t have to say this things to the world u should have tell all this to him, why didn’t u have the guts to tell him this, cowerd. People like u are demons. U are gelous!!! ))i HOPE WHEN U WILL DIE ( HOPE SOON) TO MEET MICHAEL AND APOLOGIZE!!!!!
leave da man alone aight
Okay, first of all!!!!! How do we even know Quincy REALLY said these words… Anyone can right an article and put words in someones mouth!! Secondly, I know about 8 or 9 people who bleach their skin; skin bleach may lighten your skin BUT skin bleach (no matter what product) can only do so much. Michael on the other hand has Vitiligo. Skin bleach CANNOT have so much of a strong effect on his skin; vitiligo can. I’m not only saying this because I’m a fan, I’m saying this because it’s the
damn truth. I’m in Nursing school and have studied things like skin diseases for a few years now. People need to stop talkin sh** and get the steppin!!!!!
MJ we love you. Xoxo
I agree with quincy.Look at micheal not a nap in his head the nose job,the kids.It doesn’t tack a rocket scientist to figure that out.I know u all love mike hell I was one of his biggest fans.But i not going to think that mike didn’t have issues.That would be dumb.Don’t be so hard on quincy he knew him better than ya’ll ever will so why discredit him.
Huh? what? Michael was Proud,But It’s not about skin Complexion,We are Human beings,not Colors. We all live in the same world,have a heart,Bleed red,Have blue and Red Cells and Breath The same Air,We Fart Too. What is something on our Outside that makes us any Lesser on the Inside? Michael wants to rest in peace and Why can’t You focus on How Great of a Freakin’ Musician he was and How Awesome He danced,Did You look at the Motown 25 Performance 50 Times? I just think it was Unacceptable for quincy to betray him This way into Believing Michael did not want to be God’s Choice. He had Vitiligo whitch effects The skin Pitmega or something. Besides He Visited Afrca a Hundred Times,he had African american Friends,His Family is African american/Indian,His Favorite sister Is Janet Jackson,In His Music Videos it’s all Races…he let a Black Man into His Home to Take care of him,The next day he Died :(. I Think quincy is Just Mad and He only Feels That way because he wants to. If Michael read this,He would of been mad,But Listen to His song,He’s not going to spend his Life being a “color”. I’m African-American and I wasen’t Shocked and stopped Loving Michael when His skin Complexion Changed,His Music was in my Head. He actually Adored James Brown,Diana Ross,Beyonce,Princess B and Aaliyah. He was Denied to meet Princess B several Times and He got Angry,If she got Married,she will break his Heart,I think princess B was The Love of his eyes,He always Talked about her,He had a Few Posters of Her in his Room.
I was deeply sadden to read the comments Quincy Jones made concering
Michael. Friends don’t don’t do that. I have always cared so very much about
you. I still do. I am disappointed you would belittle Michael. I don’t care what
you or anyone say about Michael Jackson, I love him now, always have, and I
always will.
Quincy, God Loves Michael as much as he does you.
I don’t understand, I submitted my conment on the comments Quincy Jones
made about Michael Jackson.
I guess Quincy would know about someone not wanting to be black. . . look at that mo-fo’s kids, smh. He should know not to crap on the one who fed his family. I hope he really didn’t say this because he’s in the same boat himself. MJJ is still the G.O.A.T.