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Whoopi Goldberg delivers an emotional tribute to ‘Color Purple’ composer Quincy Jones

Whoopi Goldberg got emotional The view in the final hours before the 2024 presidential election, when she paused coverage of the controversial cycle to honor her late friend and collaborator Quincy Jones, who died Sunday evening at the age of 91.

The 68-year-old Oscar winner took a moment to remember Jones during the live broadcast on Monday, after the pair became close when Jones became a producer on Goldberg’s 1985 drama. The color purplean adaptation of the novel of the same name by writer Alice Walker.

“I can’t even explain what’s going on in my head right now,” Goldberg said as she transitioned from discussing the election to highlighting Jones’ life and career. “We just lost the extraordinary Quincy Jones, songwriter, composer, producer, he worked with everyone.”

Whoopi Goldberg on ‘The View’, Quincy Jones and Whoopi Goldberg attend the 20th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party.

ABC; Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage


She pointed out Jones’ contributions to pop culture, from collaborating with Michael Jackson to his work with her.

“Of course he was the composer The color purplethat’s how I met Quincy. What I can tell you in three words is that I didn’t have a better boyfriend, he never left. When other people left, Q stayed, and he always told me to stick to my guns,” Goldberg continued. and it will always remain that way. I also want to tell people that he’s going to receive an honorary Oscar this year, and the last thing I’ll tell you is that he’s such a prolific composer. He composed things that you probably didn’t even know were his.”

She then pointed to a popular piece of music that could shock audiences if they knew what he was working on: “Soul Bossa Nova,” a 1962 composition that Mike Myers repopularized by using it in the 1997 film. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.

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“We’ll get into that,” Goldberg said, as the song brought the show to a commercial break on a jovial note.

Earlier Monday morning, Goldberg shared an Instagram Story commemorating Jones’ life, writing, “Quincy Jones was my friend and one of a kind. I was lucky to have him in my life all these years. My heart breaks for him. ” family and his extended family who loved and adored him…my condolences.”

Goldberg and Jones have both previously contributed to director Steven Spielberg’s widespread success Color Purple film, with Jones not only composing the film’s score, but he also co-produced the project and was instrumental in its creation and casting – especially in regards to the roles ultimately played by Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey. Jones also orchestrated the film’s original soundtrack song, “Miss Celie’s Blues,” which was nominated for the 1986 Oscar for Best Original Song.

The view airs weekdays at 11am ET/10am PT on ABC.