Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesWhile you may be familiar with Questlove's musical stylings alongside his band The Roots, you may be less familiar with his record-making father: frontman to and namesake behind the 1950s doo-wop group Lee Andrews & The Hearts.
Lee Andrews passed away Wednesday at age 79. Andrews formed The Hearts in Philadelphia in 1953. The group hit it big with the singles "Long Lonely Nights," "Teardrops" and "Try the Impossible" in 1957 and 1958. Though the original group disbanded in 1959, Andrews continued to tour, sometimes under the Hearts name. In the late '60s, Andrews he went into semi-retirement and opened a dress shop. Questlove was born in 1971.
Questlove took to his Instagram Wednesday and penned a heartfelt tribute to his late father, whom he called the "Greatest Teacher in my life."
According to his Instagram caption, their relationship was often rocky, albeit close. In fact, the musician's famous father at one time opposed his son's budding career. "I love you. For every backstage experience. For every drum lesson. For giving me your tireless work ethic. For our father & son record binging expeditions," he wrote. "For our arguments over the summer I discovered #ItTakesANationOfMillions."
That powerful hashtag is a reference to the hit album of '80s hip-hop group Public Enemy.
But where did Quest and his father fall out exactly? Andrews was, according to Questlove, one of his son's most ardent advocates. But Quest didn't hesitate to get personal on the pair's father-son dynamics, recalling "the years we fell out."
"For the look on your face when I told you 'imma give this rap thing a try' (I waited til our 2nd album to have this convo btw) For the look on your face 5 years later when I told you 'you don't have two work no more. For the loon on your face when a year later I was like 'Seriously dad, you don't have to work anymore! For bringing my mom & my sister into my life. For the years we fell out. For the years we put it back together," Quest wrote. "But really, for the last 2 conversations we had. I understand why you were so hard on me praying I didn't succumb to a fate not meant for a teenage in west philly in the mid 80s. I didn't understand it at the time. But I appreciate it now. I hope Donn & I do you proud #LeeAndrewsAndTheHearts."
While this may not be the first time Questlove has publicly recounted his relationship with his father—he also did so quite candidly in his memoir, Mo' Meta Blues—the musician's recent post is certainly one of his most powerful. Quest certainly has a way with words, something he got from his father.
Our condolences go out to Questlove and his family.