A 2018 interview the late music producer did with ‘New York’ magazine has resurfaced which features his unfiltered opinion of the members of The Beatles
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(775x328:777x330):format(webp)/paul-mccartney-quincy-jones-110724-d097d7bb3def49908dc19df44164731a.jpg)
Paul McCartney in March 2016; Quincy Jones in November 2018. Photo: Pierre Suu/Getty; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
After Quincy Jones offered his perspective on The Beatles, Paul McCartney had some thoughts.
A 2018 interview with the late music producer — who died on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 91 — for New York magazine has resurfaced, which features his unfiltered opinion of the members of the legendary classic rock group.
In it, Jones said The Beatles were “no-playing motherf—ers.”
“Paul was the worst bass player I ever heard. And Ringo [Starr]? Don’t even talk about it,” he told the publication.
Jones continued: “I remember once we were in the studio with George Martin, and Ringo had taken three hours for a four-bar thing he was trying to fix on a song. He couldn’t get it.”
The 28-time Grammy winner then revealed he came up with a plan.
“We said, ‘Mate, why don’t you get some lager and lime, some shepherd’s pie, and take an hour-and-a-half and relax a little bit.’ So, he did, and we called Ronnie Verrell, a jazz drummer. Ronnie came in for 15 minutes and tore it up,” Jones recalled.
He continued: “Ringo comes back and says, ‘George, can you play it back for me one more time?’ George did, and Ringo says, ‘That didn’t sound so bad.’ I said, ‘Yeah, motherf—er, because it ain’t you.’ Great guy, though.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2):format(webp)/paul-mccartney-quincy-jones-110424-761e049757d846bcae4645556fd56532.jpg)
Paul McCartney and Quincy Jones in Beverly Hills in February 2009.Kevin Mazur/WireImage
McCartney, 82, took the opportunity to respond to Jones’ comments in a 2018 interview with GQ.
“I love this guy. He’s totally out of his tree. But the great thing was, he rang me after this. I’d only heard about it, and I’d thought, I’m not sure if it’s true. The joke is, I love Quincy, even after this,” he told the publication.
McCartney also recalled the apology he received from Jones: “‘Paul, I didn’t really say that thing. I don’t know what happened man, I never said that. You know I love you guys!’ I said, ‘If you had said that, you know what I would have said? F— you, Quincy Jones!’ And he laughed. I said, ‘You know I would say to that: F— you, Quincy Jones, you f—ing crazy motherf—er!’ So, actually, we just had a laugh.”
Added the “Blackbird” musician of Jones: “He’s an old guy. I don’t know what it was. But I don’t think I’m the worst bass player he’s ever heard. Or maybe he’s never heard bad bass players. He’s talking all of this jazz and musicianship, and he’s an arranger and stuff.”
“This is like Buddy Rich saying Ringo couldn’t drum. Because, coming from Buddy Rich’s sensibility, Ringo can’t drum. But coming from our sensibility, Buddy Rich is a load of s—. But God bless him,” McCartney concluded.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2):format(webp)/quincy-jones-the-beatles-110424-830927db8e454624ad920502a501a07a.jpg)
Quincy Jones in the 1980s; The Beatles in the 1960s.A&M Records/Getty; Mondadori via Getty
PEOPLE confirmed with Jones’ publicist, Arnold Robinson, that the music industry legend died on Sunday, Nov. 3 at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by his family. The news was initially reported by the Associated Press.
Jones is survived by seven children: Rashida Jones, Kidada Jones, Kenya Kinski-Jones, Quincy Jones III, Jolie Jones Levine, Martina Jones, and Rachel Jones. He is also survived by grandchildren Isaiah Jones Koenig, Quincy Renzo Delight Jones IV and Nea Jones. Additionally, he was godfather to actor-musician Quincy Brown, who was named after the music icon.
News
Palestine Action ‘terror’ group behind RAF Brize Norton raid ‘plots attacks on three more air bases and drone factory’
Keep scrolling for a map highlighting potential targets THE Palestine Action group behind the RAF Brize Norton raid is reportedly plotting attacks on three more air bases and a drone factory. The organisation is believed to be planning hits on…
Zion Williamson Finally Speaks Out on Shocking Allegations, Reveals Bold Response Plan
Zion Williamson Breaks Silence Over Explosive Allegations, Calls Lawsuit ‘Defamatory and Financially Motivated’ In a stunning development that has rocked the NBA world, New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson is at the center of a legal firestorm following explosive allegations…
HOT NEWS ALERT: What was in that bag? Stefon Diggs hands off a suspicious package during a wild yacht party, and social media detectives are on the case. Theories are flying—and some are downright scandalous. This moment could be more than just a party clip!
“What Was in the Pink Bag? Stefon Diggs Sparks NFL Controversy After Yacht Party with Cardi B Goes Viral” Stefon Diggs is living large—maybe too large. The New England Patriots wide receiver has never been shy about enjoying the finer…
BREAKING: Shannon Sharpe just made a career-shaking announcement while staring down a $50 million lawsuit. Fans are stunned—was it a retirement, a power move, or something darker? The timing is no coincidence, and now the internet is split: is this damage control or defiance?
Shannon Sharpe Postpones Nightcap Tour Amid $50 Million ***ual ****ult Lawsuit: What It Means for His Media Empire and Career In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the sports and entertainment world, NFL Hall of Famer…
CAUGHT RED-HANDED: A cameraman was exposed during a live women’s tennis match for zooming in from an inappropriate angle—and the moment the umpire called him out? The entire stadium gasped. Social media is in flames. Fans are demanding answers. Who let this happen… and how long has it gone on?
“BACK OFF!” Tennis Star Danielle Collins Confronts Cameraman in Fiery Courtside Clash During Strasbourg Match—Fans Divided Over How Close Is Too Close It wasn’t a racquet smash or an umpire outburst that stirred the biggest conversation at the Internationaux de…
SHOCKING RISE: From Chicago streets to the Vatican throne? Robert Prevost’s hidden past and fast climb through the church ranks will leave you stunned.
Chicago Native Becomes First American Pope, Ushering in a New Era for the Catholic Church Vatican City / Chicago – May 9, 2025 White smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel this morning, signaling a monumental decision that would reverberate around…
End of content
No more pages to load