Rolling Stone listed JR in 2016 at number 81 in their list of the top 100 "Greatest Drummers of All Time".[3] He was awarded one Grammy Award for the Rufus and Chaka Khan single "Ain't Nobody", but has played drums on more than fifty Grammy winning works.[4]
JR was born on December 29, 1954, in Creston, Iowa.[5] His parents, Helen Sloan and Jack Robinson, made certain he had an education in music, starting him in piano lessons at age five.[1] JR's father played violin as a hobby, and his mother played him big band records, pointing out the elements of swing.[6] Robinson senior was also the arranger for the local choir Creston Chorus.[7] Both his grandfathers were musical. His favorite record at age seven was "When the Saints Go Marching In" from the soundtrack of the 1959 film The Five Pennies. At eight he got his first drum kit– a secondhand 1940s Ludwig set with no toms, just snare, bass, hi-hat and one Zildjiancymbal. At age ten he formed a duo with Kevin Clemens who played electric guitar.[8] His next drum kit was a new 1966 Ludwig Champagne Sparkle set.[4] Tall and athletic, JR wavered between a basketball or music career, choosing music.[9] At 14, he performed with the Iowa Big Band, and he played drums in high school band,[1] using a maple drum kit, the Ludwig White Marine Pearl.[4] JR went to jazz band camp at Northwest Missouri State University and Illinois State University where he met drummer/teacher Ed Soph who helped JR break some of his bad habits, training him in traditional grip.[9] Soph encouraged him to enroll at Berklee College of Music in Boston.[8]
JR gigged with the Tommy Dorsey Band in 1973, finding that the old, yellowed charts were very extensive, more than 1200 songs.[9] In August 1973, the Pointer Sisters opened for Chicago at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Des Moines.[10] JR attended the concert, and he was moved by the Pointer Sisters' songs "Cloudburst" and "Yes We Can Can". He said he "always wanted to play with them".[11] Seven years later he played on the Pointer Sisters' hit song "Slow Hand".
After five semesters of Berklee classes,[9] JR left school but stayed in Boston to focus on gigging. He toured in a band called Shelter, and in March 1978 at the Rare Cherry nightclub outside of Cleveland, his band was surprised to find they were opening for Rufus and Chaka Khan.[9] After the Shelter set, Rufus and Chaka Khan came on stage to ask JR to stay and play with them. This invitation extended through the whole evening. Two weeks later, JR moved to Los Angeles to fill their touring drummer position. The first gig was in Hawaii, where JR met Danny Seraphine, founding drummer of Chicago, who encouraged JR to sign an endorsement contract with drum manufacturer Slingerland.[8] JR recorded with Rufus in 1978 on the album Numbers released in early 1979, which rose to number 81 on the Billboard 200. Producer Quincy Jones led the next album project Masterjam for Rufus. Masterjam was recorded in late 1978 and released in November 1979. The single "Do You Love What You Feel", featuring Chaka Khan on vocals, crossed over to number 30 on the Hot 100. Jones was the person who first started calling John Robinson by the nickname JR.[9] Before Masterjam came out, Jones brought JR to Michael Jackson's album project Off the Wall in December 1978.[1] The first thing JR did on the project was go to Allen Zentz Recording Studios to overdub drums for the songs "Girlfriend" and "It's the Falling in Love", replacing the previous drummer's work. Jones listened to the results, conferred with Jackson, and then invited JR to be the drummer for the rest of the album. JR remembers going to Westlake Recording Studios to cut basic tracks for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" with just keys, bass and drums. The trio was Louis Johnson on bass, JR, and keyboardist Greg Phillinganes: this was the first time JR had met Phillinganes. After they recorded the track, Phillinganes stood on the piano bench with his hands up, exultant. Everyone knew they had just laid the foundation for a hit.[11] Released in August 1979, Off the Wall netted JR three hit singles: "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (number 1), "Rock with You" (number 1), and "Off the Wall" (number 10).[12] From this point forward, JR was a first-request drummer for Jones.[1]
JR was on the road with Rufus and Chaka Khan for ten months in 1980– his longest tour. During a brief stop, he spent one day recording George Benson's Give Me the Night.[13] He helped on a few of Karen Carpenter's solo album tracks, which were not released until 16 years later. In 1981, JR recorded Party 'Til You're Broke with Rufus, yielding the hit single "Tonight We Love". Later that year, the Rufus album Camouflage brought JR another hit single, "Sharing the Love", which reached number 8 on the R&B chart.[14] Rufus released Seal in Red in 1983, and JR also played on the Rufus/Chaka Khan single "Ain't Nobody" which topped the R&B chart and rose to number 22 on the Hot 100. "Ain't Nobody" earned a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards in early '84, which is JR's only Grammy.[4] JR said that he recorded his part for "Ain't Nobody" at Amigo Studios in Hollywood, replacing a drum machine demo track with his own ideas, but keeping a robotic feel. He first played kick and snare alone, then overdubbed the hi-hat, then another pass for toms. This was a common practice in the 1980s to keep the drum parts isolated.[11]
When the Pointer Sisters were ready for their next album, producer Richard Perry called JR in early 1982 to bring his drums to Perry's own Studio 55 on Melrose Avenue. Once again, JR joined bassist Nathan Watts to form the rhythm section, supporting John Barnes on keys, and a changing lineup of guitarists. Paulinho da Costa added percussion. JR recalled that the music was surprisingly funky for the song "I'm So Excited" which turned out to be a Top 40 hit in 1982, and then a Top 10 hit in 1984 as a remix.[11] Lionel Richie used several drummers including JR on his album Can't Slow Down (1983). In 1982 at Ocean Way Studio A, JR formed a trio with Richie playing Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer and Abraham Laboriel on electric bass. The three of them laid down the basic tracks for "All Night Long (All Night)" to create "the space and grace that the song needed", according to JR.[11] Percussion parts were layered into the mix afterward. The song topped three Billboard charts: pop, R&B and adult contemporary.[16]Glenn Frey pulled JR on the road with him in September–November 1982, starting in Japan and returning to the US; all in support of his solo album No Fun Aloud.[4]
Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones headed the project USA for Africa to provide relief for the 1983–1985 famine in Ethiopia. To cut the rhythm tracks for the charity single "We Are the World", Jones booked Lion Share Studios in Los Angeles, the old ABC/Dunhill studio where Rufus first recorded, and Jones called JR to cover drums. JR joined bassist Johnson and keyboardist Phillinganes to learn the song from Richie and Jackson with everyone gathered around the piano. JR recalls that when it was time to push the record button, the various industry executives and media people were making too much noise, ruining the vibe, and Jones asked JR to clear them out. JR shouted, "Everyone, get the fuck out, let us record first and then you all can come back in!" Which is exactly what happened.[11] The basic rhythm tracks went down very well, followed the next week by a different recording session for all the celebrity voices. "We Are the World" became one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Rock and vocal pop
JR pictured with Yamaha drums in 1985. JR mixed his own monitors during live shows, using the Yamaha MC2404 mixer in the rear.
From the mid-1980s, JR played drums for a wide range of rock, soft rock and pop artists. He replaced Russ Kunkel's work on six tracks for Bob Seger's album Like a Rock in 1985, noting that Seger only wanted to hear low-pitched wooden drums– no brass snares.[2]Maurice White used JR for some songs on his solo album Maurice White (1985),[4] on which his cover of "Stand by Me" was a hit.[18] In November 1985, JR was in New York City recording songs for George Benson's While the City Sleeps... album.[4] He was called by Russ Titelman to bring his drums over to Unique Recording Studios, to work on Steve Winwood's upcoming album, Back in the High Life.[4][11] Titelman and Winwood used various combinations of JR's drums, drum machines, triggered samples and sequenced samples to create the electronic pop sound they were looking for.[2][19][20] JR's drum fill on "Higher Love" was originally just JR playing around between songs, hitting rimshots on his vintage brass Ludwig Black Beauty snare to sound like a Latintimbale.[2][4] Engineer Tom Lord-Alge captured the drum pattern on tape, and shifted it to the beginning of the song.[21] Winwood and Titelman were very happy with the result, and the drum fill was used to open the album. After the song hit number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986, the pattern was so famous that JR put it on his answering machine to let callers know they had reached the right man.[2]
JR put together his own band in 1986, recruiting his friend bassist Neil Stubenhaus, guitarist Marty Walsh, and pianist Alan Pasqua. They had been playing gigs together when Warner Bros. Records President Lenny Waronker called JR to catch up. JR told Waronker about his band and Waronker said that John Fogerty (ex–Creedence Clearwater Revival) should be the singer of the band. After working on more than a dozen of Fogerty's song ideas, JR and his band recorded Eye of the Zombie for Fogerty in 1986, then toured to promote the album. On the road serving as musical director, JR sat behind a Yamaha Power Recording drum kit with two bass drums, using flat foot pedal style on the right and toe method on the left. Three hi-hats were used: a 15-inch Zildjian Quick Beats on the left and two linked 13-inch Zildjian K-series on the right.[2] JR said that the tour was disappointing because Fogerty was getting sued by Saul Zaentz and could not play his popular CCR songs.[13]
In 1988, JR was called by producer Patrick Leonard to work on Madonna's album Like a Prayer. With his longtime drum tech John Good (later with Drum Workshop), JR brought his drums to Leonard's own Johnny Yuma Studios in Hollywood, to set up for the session. The session stalled, waiting for Madonna to show up, because she prefers to be present when the drums are recorded. But JR could not wait and recorded his drums for "Express Yourself" anyway. When Madonna appeared and was introduced to JR, he said he thought the song was "smokin'". Madonna listened to the drums on tape and said, "It's fucking great!"[11]
JR performing on David Foster's The Hitman Tour in Ottawa, 2019
JR was present for a handful of jazz dates with Herbie Hancock, Jeff Lorber and George Benson in the '80s, and in the 1990s he picked up more jazz work. Quincy Jones used JR on the album Q's Jook Joint which rose to number 1 on the jazz charts. Jazz pianist David Benoit employed JR on his 1991 album Shadows. English composer Mike Oldfield picked JR for one track on his album Tubular Bells II (1993). With JR on six tracks, Lorber's album Worth Waiting For rose to number 1 on the Contemporary Jazz chart in 1993.[23] Lorber used JR again on West Side Stories in 1994, reaching number 5 on the same chart.[24]
Country artist Toby Keith used JR for his album Pull My Chain (2001), which added three songs to the Hot 100.[31] JR also played on his next album, Unleashed (2002). In 2006–07, JR joined television composer Mike Post in the band L.A. Blues Alliance, made up of local session musicians. The band released the blues album What a Life in May 2007.[32][33] JR helped celebrate the 75th birthday of Quincy Jones in Montreux, Switzerland, in July 2008. A video album was made of the party, Quincy Jones: The 75th Birthday Celebration – Live at Montreux. JR backed a wide range of vocalists with a band consisting of himself, keyboardists Greg Phillinganes and David Delhomme, guitarist Paul Jackson Jr., bassist Nathan East, and percussionist Paulinho da Costa.[34] Seal used JR on his cover of "Stand By Me" in 2008. Starting in 2010, JR toured with David Foster,[25] backing singers such as Peter Cetera, the Tenors, Ruben Studdard, Charice and Natalie Cole.[13]
JR served as drummer on the Lady Gaga song "Stupid Love" (2020) which rose to number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.[36]
Solo work
JR at the NAMM Show in 2011, demonstrating his 24-inch Signature Deep Heavy Ride and his 24-inch 2002-Series Swish Ride Paiste cymbals
JR formed the short-lived band Bridge 2 Far (1989) with singer Mark Williamson, and again with Williamson in the trio TRW with guitarist Michael Thompson. TRW released the album Rivers of Paradise on Frontiers Records in 2007.[25] With the band Native Son, JR released Son Talk in 2011 on the label King Japan. Native Son is Thompson (guitar), JR (drums), Bobby Watson (sax) and Mo Pleasure (bass).[25]
JR has released two solo albums: Funkshui (2004) and Platinum (2007). He said that the songs on Platinum consisted mainly of funk and rock, recorded at his Thousand Oaks home studio, Home Court, using a Yamaha Pro Audio DM2000 digital mixing console.[13] He was inducted into the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association Hall of Fame in 2005[25] and Rock Godz Hall Of Fame in 2019.[37] JR hosts the "Vinyl Night" radio show at EnterTalk Radio.[38]
On television, JR played for the ER series (1994), and he has served multiple times as the drummer for the Academy Awards broadcast orchestra.[25] Joining sax player Tom Scott and bassist Nathan East, JR scored the music and drummed on the HBO documentary The Bronx, USA in which the video "Gonna Be Alright" emerged (2019), about talent agent George Shapiro.[39]
Drum equipment
JR endorsed Drum Workshop (DW) drums starting in 2009
Around 1979 through the efforts of Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine, Slingerland Drum Company picked up JR as an endorser. He said he preferred double-headed tom drums for their responsiveness, but played with single heads when a recording project required it.[9] JR endorsed Yamaha drums starting in 1981.[6] Yamaha produced a 5×15 signature snare designed by JR, with a thin 4-ply birch shell ringed by a combination of 4-ply birch reinforcing hoops and 19-ply vintage wood hoops. The snare wires were unusual: 25-strand carbon steel in a larger bed of 2.7mm. A second signature snare by JR was a thicker 7-ply birch shell, 5.5×14 with copper nails around the perimeter, and 3mm zinc hoops. Along with Mitch Mitchell, JR was partial to the ASBA Caroline kick drum pedal for its greater adjustability.[40] In 1990–91, JR helped test the first Axis Percussion kick drum pedals.[41]
Zildjian's longtime artist relations man, Lenny DiMuzio, signed JR around 1980.[9] Rich Mangicaro[8] of Paiste cymbals signed JR to an endorsement deal in March 2006, collaborating with JR to develop the 24-inch Masters Deep Ride cymbal,[42] and the 24-inch "Signature Groove" Swish Ride cymbal,[43] made from Paiste's 2002-series CuSn8 bronze copper alloy containing 8% tin, unfinished underneath for complexity.[44] In October of 2024 JR started endorsing Istanbul Mehmet cymbals.
In 2007, Yamaha produced another JR Signature snare, this one made of birch with bird's eye maple on the outer surface. It was 6.5×14 in size, again with copper nails around the bearing edge, to thicken the sound.[6] In 2009 after Yamaha changed their artist relations staff, JR shifted to endorse Drum Workshop (DW) drums, reconnecting with his old drum tech John Good who was now vice president of the company.[1]
JR takes part in drum workshops and industry conventions such as NAMM Show in Anaheim, Drummer's Reality Camp in Pasadena, Musikmesse Frankfurt, the Bag'Show in Paris, and Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in Indianapolis.[13] JR served as a judge at the 2002 Collegiate Jazz Festival at Notre Dame. In 2011, JR released an instructional video for drummers, titled John JR Robinson: The Time Machine. JR's drum tech, John Oreshnick, appears on the video, as well as David Foster, Nathan East, Paul Jackson, Abraham Laboriel and Luis Conte.[45] The video was named DVD of the Year by Modern Drummer.[25]
Yumi Matsutoya (1987"Before The Diamond Dust Fades"～2013"POP CLASSICO")
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