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== Partial Discography == |
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=== Albums === |
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Revision as of 21:40, 15 March 2017
Jonathan Moffett | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | 17 November 1954 New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Genres | Pop, Funk, Rock, R&B, Fusion, Smooth Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Songwriter, Producer |
| Instrument(s) | Drums, Percussion |
| Years active | 1979 - present |
Jonathan "Sugarfoot" Moffett (born November 17, 1954[1]) is an American drummer, songwriter and producer from New Orleans. Since 1979, he has collaborated with the Jackson family, particularly Michael Jackson, over the course of 30 years. Later, he performed with other notable musicians, such as Madonna, George Michael, Elton John, Lionel Richie and many other artists.[2]
Early life
Jonathan Moffett was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the third son of a large musical family of siblings. His brothers played the guitar and the bass guitar, while Jonathan was intrigued by drumming.[3] He was influenced by Buddy Rich, Louis Bellson, Tony Williams, Billy Cobham, James Brown and Stevie Wonder. When he was eight he started playing at school dances, talent shows and local house parties. At ten, he played in nightclubs with his brothers’ band. His career took on from there. From 12 to 23 he played in a number of local bands. During this time he got his nickname Sugarfoot because of his incredibly fast-paced foot pedaling technique on the bass drum. When he was 24 he moved to Los Angeles. He auditioned for The Jacksons in 1979. They hired him immediately after he performed Shake Your Body, a song with a three part overdub, which means it has three drum parts layered on top of one another with three separate passes of recorded individual drums parts. This is usually very difficult to perform live.[4]
Career
His drumming and style led him to perform on 23 world tours. His first major tour was the Destiny Tour with The Jacksons. He has also been on the Off the Wall Tour, second leg of the Destiny Tour with The Jacksons. Then he performed on the Triumph Tour and Victory Tour where he met Madonna backstage who asked him to drum for her upcoming Virgin Tour. Prince complimented Moffett after many shows with The Jacksons and various artists he played for. He'd nod his head, smile and he'd say, “That was bad, you're bad”.[5] Moffett also worked with Madonna on her Who's That Girl Tour and Blond Ambition Tour.[4]
He continued to perform with Michael Jackson during his solo career on various shows and tours including the 1988 Grammy's, HIStory World Tour, and the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration shows in New York at the Madison Square Garden.
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 for three years.
Throughout his career, he has worked with: Michael Jackson, The Jacksons, Madonna, Prince (recorded on the same tracks with Madonna such as Like A Prayer and Keep It Together), Janet Jackson, George Michael, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, The Eagles, Julian Lennon, Diana Ross, Elton John, Peter Cetera, Patti Austin, Cameo, Richard Marx, Kenny G and many others.
He was featured in Madonna: Truth or Dare and Michael Jackson's This Is It as well as many other music films and documentaries.[4][6]
Most recently he was featured in Spike Lee's Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall documentary.
Partial Discography
Albums
| Year | Album | Artist | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Dick Tracy: I'm Breathless | Madonna | Drums & Percussion |
| 1990 | Blond Ambition World Tour Live | Madonna | Live drums |
| 1989 | Like A Prayer | Madonna | Drums & Percussion |
| 1987 | Who's That Girl Live in Japan | Madonna | Live drums |
| 1986 | True Blue | Madonna | Drums & Percussion |
| 1981 | The Jacksons Live | The Jacksons | Live drums |
Songs
| Year | Song | Artist | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Like A Prayer | Madonna | Drums & Percussion, Guitars by Prince |
| 1989 | Keep it Together | Madonna | Drums & Percussion, Guitars by Prince |
| 1988 | All Dressed Up for Coming to America film | Chico DeBarge | Songwriter, Arranger, Background Vocals, Drum Overdubs, Producer |
| 1982 | Muscles | Diana Ross | Drums & Percussion, Written by Michael Jackson |
| 1982 | Love Song | LaToya Jackson | Written by Jonathan Moffett & Tito Jackson |
| 1980 | Don't Stop the Music | Yarbrough Peoples | Drums |
Michael Jackson
He was Michael Jackson's number one drummer of choice and they collaborated over the course of 30 years starting with The Jacksons and throughout his solo career. Aside from working with Michael, he was friends with him. Moffett was suppose to perform in Jackson's This Is It tour but that never happened considering Jackson passed away before its launch. Moffett was with Jackson the night before he died until 1 in the morning.[7]
References
- ^ Jonathan Moffett eltonjohn.com
- ^ Jonathan Moffett at Drummerworld
- ^ "Jonathan Moffett Biography". www.drumlessons.com. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
- ^ a b c "JONATHAN MOFFETT". Retrieved 12 March 2017.
- ^ Owens, Valmai. "Interview with Jonathan Moffett". thejamcafe-mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.org. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
- ^ "Jonathan Sugarfoot Moffett". www.gruvgear.com. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
- ^ "Jonathan Moffett: Drummer for the King of Pop". www.charlotteobserver.com. Retrieved 12 March 2017.