Quincy Jones Expresses Hatred for The Beatles: ‘No-Playing Motherf——!’

Quincy Jones, the legendary music producer, had a disdain for The Beatles that has recently come to light, revealing a side of him that many fans may not have known. According to sources close to the artist, he did not hold back in expressing his negative opinions about the iconic British band, even labeling them “the worst musicians” and “no-playing motherf*****s.”

Jones was particularly critical of Paul McCartney’s bass playing, describing him as the worst bass player he had ever encountered. His criticism extended to Ringo Starr as well, especially after they collaborated on Starr’s debut solo album, Sentimental Journey. In a memorable studio session with producer George Martin, Jones recounted Starr taking an unusually long time—three hours—trying to perfect a simple four-bar section. Frustrated, Jones suggested that Starr take a break, and in his absence, brought in another drummer who completed the task in just 15 minutes. When Starr heard the final playback, Jones cheekily remarked, “Yeah, motherf******, because it ain’t you!”

This isn’t the first instance where Jones has voiced his discomfort with the talents of fellow musicians. Years prior to his passing, he made headlines for his comments about Sean “Diddy” Combs, joking that Diddy couldn’t even identify a B flat note. While acknowledging Combs’ success in marketing, particularly with his clothing lines and vodka brand, Jones was clear that he had doubts about Combs’ musical abilities.

Quincy Jones passed away on November 3, 2024, at the age of 91, following a long battle with pancreatic cancer. His publicist confirmed the news, expressing the family’s sorrow while honoring his remarkable life and contributions to music. Jones had worked with an array of legendary musicians throughout his career, including Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, and Michael Jackson, producing the best-selling album of all time, Thriller.

Despite his public remarks, insiders noted that Jones preferred to keep his illness private, demonstrating a determined spirit throughout his life. He passed away at his residence in Bel Air, California, surrounded by his loved ones. A private funeral service followed, with plans for a larger memorial ceremony still underway.