JOHN ROBINSON BIOGRAPHY
John was born in Creston, Iowa on December 29, 1954. He’s the son of the late optometrist, Dr. Jack Robinson and the late Helen Sloan. Both parents, through music, had a strong effect on John. He started on piano at the age of 5 and on drums at the age of 8. John turned pro when he started his first band at the young age of 10.
After attending many music camps throughout junior and senior high school, John chose to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston. At Berklee, John was introduced to a whole world variety of culture through music.
While touring with his own band in early 1978, John got his break. Rufus and Chaka Khan came into the club where John was playing and by the third set, the band ‘Rufus’ was sitting in with John! Within a few weeks later, John had moved to Los Angeles to finish the 1978 Rufus world tour!
In late 1978, John was introduced to Quincy Jones. "Q" asked John if he did sessions outside Rufus. Of course he said "yes" and John was in the studio recording 'Off The Wall' for Michael Jackson. Ever since that record, "JR’s" phone has been ringing ‘off the wall’!
JR has become the most recorded drummer in history, even surpassing the great Hal Blaine. Some of the hits are, We Are The World, All Night Long by Lionel Richie, I’m So Excited and Slow Hand by the Pointer Sisters, I’m Just A Gigolo and California Girls by David Lee Roth, Higher Love and Back In The Highlife by Steve Winwood, Express Yourself by Madonna, Off The Wall and Bad fo
r Michael Jackson, the Natalie Cole CD,"Stardust" and Change The World by Eric Clapton, Quincy Jones’ "The Dude", "Q’s Jook Joint" and "From Q With Love" and Ray Charles, "Genius Loves Company, Meryl Haggard’s, “Chicago Wind” and Herbie Hancock’s, “Possibilities”, to name a few. Of course in 1983 JR won a Grammy with Rufus and Chaka Khan for "Ain’t Nobody". For a complete discography go to johnjrrobinson.com.
John has been the drummer for Quincy Jones since 1979 and the drummer for Barbra Streisand since 1993. He just finished Barbra Streisand’s "Timeless" world tour of Australia and the United States.
JR has also played on a number of motion pictures including, My Cousin Vinny, Grand Canyon, Pure Country, Phenomenon, The Body Guard, First Wives Club, Celtic Pride, Dave, Denise The Menace, Evening Star, Father’s Day, Free Willy, Hercules, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Independence Day, Jerry McGuire, The Mirror Has Two Faces, Little Rascals, Nothing To Lose, Nutty Professor, The Preacher’s Wife, Quest For Camelot, South Park, Space Jam, Tin Cup, The Waterboy, Dinosaur, America’s Sweethearts, Rush Hour 2 and That Thing That You Do, Hollywood Homicide, Raising Helen, Starsky & Hutch, Mr. 3000, Garfield, Ladder 49, 13 Going On 30, Dodgeball, Collateral, Team America, RV, XXX2, Fever Pitch, Rumor Has It, Must Love Dogs, Big Momma’s House 2, Prates of the Caribbean 2, the new NFL themes for NBC, American Gangster, Enchanted and Fun With Dick and Jane.
JR also has his own signature series snare drum out with Yamaha and his own signature sticks and brushes with Regal Tip by Calato..
John just released his solo CD, "Funkshui" and is producing several projects including his rock band, TRW, entitled "Rivers Of Paradise". He maintains a recording studio in Thousand Oaks, CA.
JR will continue to add his magic on many hits to come with his recognized sound employing great time and a great groove.
To my newest friend JR. Thanks for all the great drum tracks you have layed down throughout the years! I leave you with with my thoughts of your drum playing and what your playing means to me.
Discovering John JR Robinson's name somewhere in the album credits of some of the most popular recordings in music has become almost like a hobby for some people. Chances are, you will always find this man somewhere in your music collection, sometimes without even knowing it. But always, you certainly will know his signature solid groove and of his mastering of keeping impecible time. JR is the "creme de la creme" of studio drummers and is an inspiration to all drummers and artists alike around the world. Which, is also why you will find as no surprise JR's name attached in the same sentence w/other such great drummers like ex. session great Jeff Porcaro. Who, both have changed the face of music by always leaving behind both their hand&footprints cemented in music thats left with a timeless quality to it. Not to forget also studied by Legions of drummers around the world! Peace and Laughter, ~drummerkennyd
Hi J.R.! Just sending some love & respect your way! Hope you have a Rockin' weekend coming up! Thanx for all the many grooves! Peace... MASTERJAM FOREVER!!!! Nika/SAN 'V' Productions
G'Day JR!! Wow i just read on your page you're working on MJ's new album! Must be good to work with him again! Is Quincy doing it too? Any idea when it's coming out? Are you coming to Australia any time soon? Take care! Write back. Damien
Hi JR!!! HOw's life? I will miss you in Montreux by one little tiny week.... Will be in Switzerland the week after Montreux. Will see Creatchy and O'Neill (they will be with Benson) though. All the very best and thanks again for your amazing grooves at NAMM. All the best to you and the family. Laurent
John, I'm having a hell of a time decided between your two Yamaha snares. Both sound great to me....the only thing I cant test yet, is which one sounds best live, mic, straight out of the box (meaning factory heads, ect).
