PART TWO: GRAMMY WINNERS
I’ve chosen to compare the 1983 winner for Record of the Year, Quincy Jones, with the 1984 winner of the same award, Terry Britten. Quincy Jones won the award for producing the infamous “Thriller,” album for Michael Jackson, and more specifically, the song “Beat It.” Terry Britton won the award for producing Tina Turner’s classic, “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” Although both songs were classics in their own right, the Michael Jackson classic recording surpasses the Turner classic in sales and chart positions. Both producers have worked on numerous projects with a great variety of artists. In fact, Michael Jackson worked with Terry Britten on his “Thriller” follow up, “Bad.”
Britten produced the Stevie Wonder featured, “Just Good Friends.” Along with working with both Jackson and Turner, Britten has also worked with Olivia Newton-John, Lenny Kravitz, Celine Dion, and more. Quincy has worked with numerous artists as well, including Sammy Davis Jr. Tamia, Donna Summer, and Lena Horne. He also co-produced the historic world anthem, “We Are the World.” Styles during these two years were not very different, I chose two consecutive years. But, during the entire time period, there was an evolution. R&B and pop music were very much blending at this time. Both Quincy Jones and Terry Britten have severely impacted the music industry. The endurance or Quincy Jones as well as his ability to remain relevant in popular music for 3 decades has made him an icon in the music industry. Terry Britten has also left a mark. As a producer, he has shown versatility, working with Tina Turner, Lenny Kravitz, and Olivia Newton-John.Terry Britten writes and produces music to this day.
This industry has become a timeless one, and both of these fantastic producers prove the timelessness of the music industry as well as music itself. By looking at the nominees, I feel that Glen Ballard should’ve won the producer of the year award in 1995 for his work with Alanis Morissette.
Jaquese Doris Powell 