Jonathan Moffett | |
---|---|
Born | Jonathan Philip Moffett November 17, 1954 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
Other names | Sugarfoot, Foot |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1979–present |
Spouse | Myra Hissami (m. 2021) |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instruments |
|
Labels | Envision Entertainment |
Website | moffettstore |
Signature | |
Jonathan Phillip "Sugarfoot" Moffett (born November 17, 1954) is an American drummer, songwriter and record producer from New Orleans, Louisiana. [1] Beginning in 1979, Moffett collaborated with the Jackson family, particularly Michael Jackson, over the course of 30 years. More recently, he has worked with other notable artists and producers such as Madonna, George Michael, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones and many others. [2]
Moffett is the third of a musical family of siblings. His two other brothers played the guitar and the bass guitar, while Jonathan's father encouraged him to drum. His influences are Zigaboo, Buddy Rich, Louis Bellson, Billy Cobham, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Roger Taylor and other drummers, mostly originating from New Orleans. [3]
He initially wanted to play the bass guitar long before drums. He was always acutely aware of the bass guitar parts in songs and mimicked them on the bass drum. [4] Moffett was never musically trained and learned to play drums on his own by ear. [5] He was nicknamed "Sugarfoot" for his quick, articulate, and pronounced bass drum work, which requires a lot of precision and stamina for a drummer. He plays 16th note, 32nd note, and 64th note figures energetically and fluidly within rhythms. [6] Moffett started off his drumming career by performing locally with prominent bands within the region and at nightclubs as a young boy.
He came up with his kung-fu inspired signature moves during a marathon practice session late one evening—the "one-handed cymbal catch" and his "backlash-whiplash" [7] cymbal crashes (single and/or double hand) where he places two cymbals behind him and crashes/chokes them without looking. [8]
Moffett's professional career initially started with the Jacksons. In 1979, through serendipity, he came across the Jacksons' musical director, James McField, who told him they were auditioning for a new drummer. Though the final auditions were that day, they extended it for him, knowing how eager he was to play for the group. According to an article by Robyn Flans in Drummer Magazine in September 1984, Moffett said:
He [McField] called that night and the audition was set for the next day. I was familiar with their songs [the Jacksons'] because I had grown up with their music, yet I didn't know everything about the music...After we finished a few songs, they pulled me aside and said they'd let me know something soon. That evening, I got the call and they said they wanted me to join the group. It was just a miracle. [9]
His first major tour was the Destiny Tour (1979–1980). [10] After his first show with the group, Michael Jackson was in awe by Moffett's ability to keep up with his dancing, always accenting his dance moves, which gave his dancing more power and prominence. [11] He also used his "one-handed cymbal catch" frequently, in which Moffett explained to Zildjian:
With the Jacksons, I'll use it to accent certain moments before the vocal chorus. OR when Michael makes a move and stops real quick, I'll accent that with a catch. You've got to do it fast and drop back into the rhythm without breaking time. [8]
He proceeded to perform on the Triumph Tour in 1981, which Rolling Stone later named as one of the best 25 tours of 1967 to 1987. Epic decided to have one of the shows from the tour recorded due to its immense popularity and success. Moffett also drummed around the United States and Canada for the record-breaking and famous Victory Tour (1984), where he met Madonna backstage who asked him to drum for her upcoming Virgin Tour (1985). [12] [13] [14] The Victory Tour promoted Michael Jackson's albums Off the Wall (1979) and Thriller (1982) and was promoted by Don King. Moffett performed with Eddie Van Halen, who made a few special appearances on some of the shows playing "Beat It" on guitar. Prince complimented Moffett after many shows with the Jacksons (and did the same seeing him live with other artists). He'd nod his head, smile, and say, "That was bad, you're bad."[ citation needed ]
When Moffett turned professional, he designed innovative futuristic drum kits for every tour to complement the stage design. His work with the Jacksons and unique drumming style led him to become one of the most in-demand pop music drummers and perform on 23 world tours. [15]
Moffett was present during the infamous Pepsi commercial shoot in 1984 when Jackson suffered from second-degree burns from the blazing pyrotechnics. He noticed the flames on Jackson's hair at one point during the shoot and dropped his drum sticks and ran to help him just as some crew members did the same. [16] He is credited for live drumming on The Jacksons Live! album (1981), which was RIAA-certified Gold. [17] The double-disc album contains recordings of songs performed throughout the Triumph Tour. He also later recorded on the Jacksons' albums Victory (1984) and 2300 Jackson Street (1989). [18]
After their initial meet during the Jacksons' Victory Tour, Moffett finally agreed to tour with Madonna on her debut tour, the Virgin Tour alongside Victory Tour bandmate, Patrick Leonard (musical director/keyboardist). The tour took place only in the United States and Canada. He was featured in Madonna's 1985 "Dress You Up" music video which was basically concert footage of her performing the song during the Virgin Tour. With the success of the tour, which was also released as a video album, Madonna requested Moffett to tour with her on her second tour, the Who's That Girl Tour (1987). The tour took place on a global level and was a huge commercial success, superseding the previous tour, and he continued touring with her on her controversial yet groundbreaking Blond Ambition Tour (1990), which received accolades for its intricate choreography and stage production. [19] [20] The tour was followed by a 1991 motion picture film, Madonna: Truth or Dare , which Moffett was featured in.
Moffett also recorded on three Madonna albums with producer Patrick Leonard— True Blue (1986), Like a Prayer (1989), and I'm Breathless (1990). [17] He recorded drums, percussion, and background vocals on all three albums. [17] He performed with the pop star at Live Aid in 1985, performing songs such as "Holiday", "Into the Groove" and "Love Makes the World Go Round" with guest stars Nile Rodgers, Tom Bailey and Alannah Currie, and the Thompson Twins. [21]
Elton John turned to Moffett for his comeback Reg Strikes Back Tour (1988–1989), with a total of 87 shows, and which he utilized to fight bad press. Elton again hired Moffett for his Sleeping with the Past Tour (1989–1990), with a total of 74 shows. Moffett drummed on John's Sleeping with the Past (1989) album, which was John's best selling album in Denmark, where the album was recorded. It was more successful than the tour. The album was also John's first platinum album since 1983 with many hit singles. Moffett was also credited on To Be Continued —a four-disc box set, recorded on various locations between 1965 and 1991, that chronicled John's songs from his days with Bluesology to the present day, including newly recorded songs. He was also credited for live drumming on John's Duets album (1993) for the song "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" which was recorded live with George Michael at Wembley Arena in 1991. He is also credited on Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin (1991) and was additionally featured in the 1991 TV movie Two Rooms: A Tribute to Elton John & Bernie Taupin. [22]
Michael called Moffett to tour with him on his Cover to Cover tour (1991). Totaling 29 shows, the tour took place in the United Kingdom, Brazil, Japan, Canada and the United States. Moffett also performed with Michael at the Rock in Rio II festival, which is a recurring music festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
He toured with Janet Jackson during the first leg of her janet. World Tour (1993–1995). The tour took place throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Moffett continued to perform with Michael Jackson throughout the duration of his solo career on various shows and tours, such as his third and final tour, the HIStory World Tour (1996–1997). [23] He also drummed for the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration shows at the Madison Square Garden in New York City on September 7 and 10, 2001, and the United We Stand: What More Can I Give benefit concert led by Jackson himself in Washington, D.C. among several others on October 21, 2001. [24]
Moffett drummed for the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration shows, which took place on September 7 and 10, 2001. The concerts aired as a two-hour television special on CBS, honoring Jackson's thirtieth year as a solo artist. The television special included footage from both shows. Moffett drummed with the rest of the band on the balcony right above the performers. Some of the guests and performers included Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, Macaulay Culkin, Slash, Liza Minnelli, Destiny's Child, Britney Spears, Gloria Estefan, Ray Charles, Chris Tucker, Usher and more. Jackson asked Moffett to collaborate on a song he wrote for Diana Ross titled "Muscles". Moffett played both drums and percussion on the track. The song was named after Jackson's pet snake and released in 1982. It was an instant hit and reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100. [25]
Moffett was supposed to perform on Jackson's This Is It concerts (2009–2010), rehearsing for months. The concerts were cancelled following Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, eighteen days before the first slated performance. [26] He was featured in Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009) documentary motion picture film alongside many other concert films, shows, and documentaries. This Is It's worldwide gross revenue was $261 million, making it the highest-grossing concert film of all time. There are snippets of him drumming throughout the documentary as well as discussing the concert series that never came to be and his history with Jackson. [27]
Though Moffett was known as "Sugarfoot" to the rest of the world, Jackson cut his stage name short and called him "Foot" instead. Moffett was Jackson's live drummer of choice from the beginning when he first started drumming with the Jacksons. Jackson always called him first for each tour and show, even when he was under contract with other artists. [5] The two collaborated over the course of 30 years starting in 1979 to 2009 with a total of four tours together; This Is It would have been the fifth. Aside from working with Jackson, he was friends with him and hung out at the Jackson Estate (Hayvenhurst home) with the family (including Jackson family matriarch, Katherine Jackson, who he considers his "second mother") and one-on-one with Jackson at Neverland Ranch and his other homes. [28] The two had drawing contests on the road when touring and Jackson sent him birthday and holiday cards when they were not together. [29] Moffett was with Jackson the night before he died until 1 AM. [30]
Moffett performed at the Staples Center during the Michael Jackson memorial service. [31] Following Michael Jackson's passing, Moffett drummed around the world honoring the pop star with Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour (2011–2014). [13] The tour is listed as one of the top-grossing tours of all time with a gross revenue of $360 million, totaling 501 shows at 157 venues in 28 countries worldwide. [32] Moffett also performed at the Australian Music Show (AIMS) and hosted a drum clinic in which he performed ten Michael Jackson songs that were supposed to be performed during This Is It. [33] Moffett was featured in Spike Lee's 2016 Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall documentary, which was Lee's second documentary on Michael Jackson since Bad 25 (2012). The documentary was released with the reissue of the Off the Wall (1979) album. Moffett spoke of his initial audition with the Jacksons and early days with Jackson and the group.
Moffett is currently sponsored by Drum Workshop (DW), Remo Drum Heads, Empire Ear Monitors, Earthworks Microphones, [11] Roland, Audeze Headphones, QSC and Gruv Gear. Over the years he has played a variety of cymbals including Zildjian and Istanbul Mehmet. Additionally he designed his own signature Jonathan Moffett Duo drum sticks in 1996 and designed his own cymbal called the Moffett "M" Series with Soultone back when he endorsed them, but later had a falling out with the company. He is currently in the process of designing his very own drum products and has an upcoming line of drum sticks out now called "Sweet Beats", which are sold on his web store, the Moffett Store. He also is designing his very own tuning keys, which appear like very expensive jewelry. You can wear the tuning key as a keychain around your neck. [11] [ needs update ]
Moffett's drumming techniques and style are often mimicked by drummers all over the world to this day, and his work is taught in various music schools. His drum beat on "Don't Stop the Music" (1981) which he recorded with the Yarbrough and Peoples has been sampled by a multitude of modern artists (over 45 times) including on TLC's "Let's Do It Again" (1994), Nuttin' Nyce's "Froggy Style" (1995), P. Diddy's "Don't Stop What You're Doin'" (1997), on the soundtracks Soul Food and Playa , and by Eve, Alicia Keys, Keyshia Cole, Fat Pat, Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, Tichina Arnold and others. Rapper 2Pac sampled the song in 1996 on his unreleased original version of "Don't Stop", later remixed for his 2006 Pac's Life album.[ citation needed ]
Year | Film | Role | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Madonna 6 Concert DVD Set | Musician | Drummer |
2016 | Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall | Himself | Speaker |
2011 | Madonna Live: The Virgin Tour (re-released also on Blu-ray) | Musician | Drummer |
2009 | Michael Jackson's This Is It | Musician | Drummer |
2009 | Madonna: Celebration – The Video Collection | Musician | Drummer |
2003 | Madonna Who's That Girl – Live in Japan (re-released) | Musician | Drummer |
1997 | Michael Jackson HIStory Tour – Live in Munich '97 | Musician | Drummer |
1991 | Madonna: Truth or Dare | Musician | Drummer |
1990 | Madonna: The Immaculate Collection | Musician | Drummer |
1988 | Coming to America | Musician | Songwriter |
1988 | Madonna: Ciao, Italia! – Live from Italy | Musician | Drummer |
1985 | Madonna Live: The Virgin Tour (re-released also on Blu-ray) | Musician | Drummer |
Year | Album | Artist | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | Christmas Again | Self | Songwriter, arranger, background vocals, drum overdubs, producer |
2008 | Original Album Classics | The Jackson 5 | Main personnel |
2004 | The Essential Jacksons | The Jacksons | Drums |
2003 | Universo Fortis | Alberto Fortis | Musician |
2002 | Something Beautiful | Color Theory | Drums, percussion |
2000 | Come Play with Me | Amanda Shelby | Drums |
2000 | Sexy Sweet Thing | Cameo | Vocals (background) |
2001 | Victory/Triumph (Reissue) | The Jacksons | Drums |
1999 | Three for One Box Set | Madonna | Drums, percussion |
1999 | Rewind | Vasco Rossi | Drums |
1998 | Star Kid (Soundtrack) | Nicholas Pike | Drums |
1997 | Flesh and Bone | Richard Marx | Drums |
1996 | Don't Be Scared by These Hands | Fee Waybill | Drums |
1996 | Kissing Rain | Roch Voisine | Drums |
1996 | The Real Deal | Edgar Winter | Drums |
1994 | Paid Vacation | Richard Marx | Drums |
1993 | Pretty Vultures | Ten Inch Men | Drums |
1993 | Duets | Elton John | Drums |
1993 | Five Live | George Michael | Drums |
1992 | Nerve Net | Brian Eno | Drums |
1992 | The Complete Collection and Then Some... | Barry Manilow | Drums |
1991 | Rush Street | Richard Marx | Drums |
1990 | To Be Continued... (box set) | Elton John | Drums |
1990 | I'm Breathless | Madonna | Drums, percussion |
1990 | Blond Ambition World Tour Live | Madonna | Live drums |
1990 | The Immaculate Collection | Madonna | Drums, percussion |
1989 | Animotion (Room to Move) | Animotion | Drums |
1989 | Mr. Jordan | Julian Lennon | Drums |
1989 | 2300 Jackson Street | The Jacksons | Drums |
1989 | Sleeping with the Past | Elton John | Drums |
1989 | Like a Prayer | Madonna | Drums, percussion |
1989 | The CBS Collection (5xCD) | The Jacksons | Drums |
1989 | The Jacksons LP | The Jacksons | Drums |
1988 | Hope for the Runaway | Kenny Loggins | Drums |
1988 | This Is Serious | Marilyn Martin | Drums |
1988 | La Cocina Caliente | Luis Conte | Drums |
1988 | Forever | Chapter 8 | Drums |
1988 | Coming to America | Soundtrack | Songwriter, arranger, background vocals, drum overdubs, producer |
1988 | One More Story | Peter Cetera | Drums |
1988 | Us | Nick Kamen | Drums |
1987 | Who's That Girl Live in Japan | Madonna | Live drums |
1987 | Timothy B. | Timothy B. Schmit (The Eagles) | Percussion, cymbals |
1986 | True Blue | Madonna | Drums, percussion |
1984 | Ciao Italia: Live in Italy | Madonna | Drums |
1984 | Dream Street | Janet Jackson | Drums |
1984 | Jermaine Jackson | Jermaine Jackson | Drums |
1984 | Victory | The Jacksons | Drums |
1983 | Standing on the One | Job Gibson | Drums |
1982 | Diana's Duets | Diana Ross | Drums |
1982 | Heartbeats | Yarbrough and Peoples | Drums |
1982 | Silk Electric | Diana Ross | Drums |
1981 | The Jacksons Live! | The Jacksons | Live drums |
1980 | The Two of Us | Yarbrough and Peoples | Drums |
Year | Song | Artist | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | "Thriller" (instrumental) for Netflix documentary Quincy | Quincy Jones | Drums |
2009 | "Flame" | Self | Songwriter, arranger, background vocals, drum overdubs, producer |
2009 | "In Our Country" | Self | Songwriter, arranger, background vocals, drum overdubs, producer |
2009 | "To Be Free" | Self | Songwriter, arranger, background vocals, drum overdubs, producer |
2004 | "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" – live in 1981, from The Essential Jacksons | The Jacksons | Live drums |
1999 | "La Fine Del Millennio" | Vasco Rossi | Drums |
1997 | "Still a Thrill" | Sybil | Drums |
1995 | "Words Without Meaning" | 3T | Drums |
1992 | "Fractal Zoom" | Brian Eno | Drums |
1993 | "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" | George Michael | Drums |
1993 | "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" | Elton John & George Michael | Live drums |
1987 | "Hold Me in Your Heart" | Timothy B. Schmit (The Eagles) | Cymbals |
1987 | "A Better Day Is Coming" | Timothy B. Schmit (The Eagles) | Percussion |
1988 | "All Dressed Up" for the film Coming to America | Chico DeBarge | Songwriter, arranger, background vocals, drum overdubs, producer |
1982 | "Muscles" | Diana Ross | Drums, percussion, written by Michael Jackson |
1982 | "Love Song" | La Toya Jackson | Written by Jonathan Moffett & Tito Jackson |
1981 | "Don't Stop the Music" | Yarbrough and Peoples | Drums |
Sheila Cecilia Escovedo, known under the stage name Sheila E., is an American singer and drummer. She began her career in the mid-1970s as a percussionist for the George Duke Band. After separating from the group in 1983, Sheila began collaborating with Prince and launched a solo career, starting with the release of her debut album in 1984, which included her biggest hit "The Glamorous Life". She also saw a hit with the 1985 single "A Love Bizarre". She is sometimes referred to as the "Queen of Percussion".
James Joseph Chamberlin is an American drummer and record producer. Described as "one of the most powerful drummers in rock," he is best known as the drummer for the alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. Following the 2000 breakup of the band, Chamberlin joined Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan in the supergroup Zwan and also formed his own current group, the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex.
James Lee Keltner is an American drummer and percussionist known primarily for his session work. He was characterized by Bob Dylan biographer Howard Sounes as "the leading session drummer in America".
Joshua Ryan Freese is an American drummer. A member of punk rock band the Vandals since 1989, Freese has also been a member of new wave band Devo since 1996 and rock band Foo Fighters since 2023.
Michael Andrew Bordin is an American musician, best known as the drummer for the rock band Faith No More. He has amicably been known as "Puffy", "Puffster" or "The Puff", in reference to the afro hair style he wore in the early 1980s. The nicknames were coined by Faith No More guitarist Jim Martin, and they stuck around even after he grew out his hair and tied it in dreadlocks, a trademark look he has worn for most of his career.
Andrew Newmark is an American session drummer who was a member of Sly and the Family Stone and has played with George Harrison, John Lennon, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Carly Simon, Ron Wood and Roxy Music.
Stephen Kendall Gadd is an American drummer, percussionist, and session musician. Gadd is one of the best-known and highly regarded session and studio drummers in the industry, recognized by his induction into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1984. Gadd's performances on Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" (1976) and "Late in the Evening", Herbie Mann's "Hi-jack" (1975) and Steely Dan's "Aja" (1977) are examples of his style. He has worked with other popular musicians from many genres including Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor, Chick Corea, Chuck Mangione, Eric Clapton and Michel Petrucciani.
Tommy Aldridge is an American heavy metal and hard rock drummer. He is noted for his work with numerous bands and artists since the 1970s, such as Black Oak Arkansas, Pat Travers Band, Ozzy Osbourne, Gary Moore, Whitesnake, Ted Nugent, Thin Lizzy, Vinnie Moore and Yngwie Malmsteen.
Gregory Tristan "Tris" Imboden is an American rock and jazz drummer. As a performer, he has been in studio sessions and on tour with some of the most notable and highest-selling musicians of all time. He was the drummer for the multi-platinum band Chicago from 1990 to 2018. He is a multi-platinum selling artist. As an educator, he has been a drum clinician and author of tutorial materials.
Raymond Cooper is an English musician who has worked as a session and road-tour percussionist. During his career, Cooper has worked and toured with numerous musically diverse bands and artists including Elton John, Harry Nilsson, Billy Joel, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour, Roger Waters and Art Garfunkel. Cooper absorbed the influence of rock drummers from the 1960s and 1970s such as Ginger Baker, Carmine Appice and John Bonham.
Michael Jeffrey Clark is an American drummer. He gained worldwide recognition as one of America's foremost jazz and funk drummers while playing with Herbie Hancock in the early 1970s. His incisive playing on Hancock's song "Actual Proof" off of the 1974 album Thrust garnered him an international cult following and influenced generations of drummers throughout the world.
The Elton John Band is the band that backs singer, composer and pianist Elton John on both studio and live recordings. The band has gone through several lineup changes, but Nigel Olsson, Davey Johnstone, and Ray Cooper have been members since 1970, 1971 and 1973, respectively. The various lineups of the band have consisted of both British, American, and European musicians. The band is often not recognised as a formal entity, and is instead referred to simply as the Elton John Band.
"Blind" is a song by American nu metal band Korn for their self-titled debut album. It was released as the album's first single in August 1994.
Gil Sharone is an American drummer and member of the rock bands Stolen Babies, Team Sleep, Marilyn Manson and formerly The Dillinger Escape Plan. He was also a fill in for the punk rock band +44. He is the twin brother of Rani Sharone, also of Stolen Babies.
John Blackwell Jr. was an American contemporary R&B, funk, jazz, fusion, and pop drummer, best known for his work with Prince. Later, he was a member of D'Angelo's backing band, The Vanguard.
Eddie Bayers is an American session drummer who has played on 300 gold and platinum albums. He received the Academy of Country Music 'Drummer of the Year Award' for fourteen years, has three times won the Nashville Music Awards 'Drummer of the Year,' and was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2019. He was also a member of two bands: The Players, and The Notorious Cherry Bombs. In 2022, Bayers was one of four inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame along with Ray Charles, The Judds, and Pete Drake.
John Frederick Robinson, known professionally as JR, is an American drummer and session musician who has been called "one of the most recorded drummers in history". He is known for his work with producer Quincy Jones, including Michael Jackson's multi-platinum Off the Wall album and the charity single "We Are the World". JR's drum fill kicks off Jackson's chart topper "Rock with You", and his drum solo opens the Steve Winwood album Back in the High Life (1986) to begin the number 1 song "Higher Love".
The Sleeping with the Past Tour was a worldwide concert tour by English musician and composer Elton John, in support of his 22nd studio album, Sleeping with the Past. The tour included a total of three legs and a total of 74 shows.
Ira Nathaniel Smith is an American drummer, songwriter, producer, and three-time Grammy nominee.
{{citation}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)