USA TODAY music critic Steve Jones dies at 57

• Jones died Friday at his home after a lengthy illness
• He joined USA TODAY in 1985%2C taking over the R%26B and hip-hop beat in 1996
• Jones is survived by two sons

As a longtime music critic for USA TODAY, Steve Jones impressed people with his mental warehouse of music history, his unflappable cool and his devilish wit. In an accessible and entertaining voice, he introduced readers to a staggering variety of artists and trends, shedding light on the cultural and artistic significance of everything from Michael Jackson's tragic odyssey to the Bay Area's youth-culture hyphy craze. He possessed charm, dignity, heart and a world-class collection of Pez dispensers.

Jones, whose USA TODAY career spanned nearly 28 years, died at his Herndon, Va., home Friday morning after a long illness. He was 57.

"Steve had it all — talent, integrity, intelligence and a huge heart," says executive editor Susan Weiss. "He shared his deep knowledge of hip-hop and R&B with our readers, and he shared his smile, laughter and support with his USA TODAY colleagues."

A native of Washington, Jones joined USA TODAY in 1985. Before settling into the music beat in 1996, he served as a copy editor, layout editor, science editor, copy desk chief and movies and music editor. From 1992 to 1995, he co-wrote a weekly video review column that was distributed by Gannett News Service, and in 2010, he began covering DVD releases for USA TODAY. He interviewed such legends as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and James Brown, as well as contemporary superstars like Jay Z, Kanye West and Alicia Keys.

After graduating from Howard University in 1978 with a journalism degree, Jones joined The Oakland Press in Pontiac, Mich., as a sportswriter. He also worked at The Evening Press and The Sun-Bulletin newspapers in Binghamton, N.Y., prior to joining USA TODAY.

He received the National Association of Black Journalists 2006 Task Force Legacy Award.

Jones is survived by two sons, Jamel, 26, and Delante, 17, and a brother, William Andrew Jones Jr. of Jacksonville, N.C.