John Robinson (drummer)

John Frederick Robinson (born December 29, 1954 in Creston, Iowa, also known as John "JR" Robinson or John "J.R." Robinson) is an American drummer and session musician. He is most known for his work with Quincy Jones, including Michael Jackson's multiplatinum Off the Wall album and the charity single "We Are the World".

Robinson is a prolific studio drummer, having played for other popular groups or artists including:

• Chaka Khan's Rufus (1983 Grammy win for "Ain't Nobody")
• Michael Jackson ("Rock With You")
• Lionel Richie (No. 1 singles "All Night Long (All Night)", "We Are the World")
• Eric Clapton ("Change the World")
• Mike Oldfield ("Man on the Rocks")
• Natalie Cole (Stardust)
• John Fogerty (Eye of the Zombie, Centerfield)
• Jennifer Love Hewitt (Let's Go Bang)
• Madonna ("Express Yourself")
• Quincy Jones (Q's Jook Joint, From Q With Love)
• Wilson Phillips (Wilson Phillips with No. 1 singles "Hold On", "Release Me", "You're in Love")
• Pointer Sisters ("I'm So Excited", "Slow Hand")
• David Lee Roth ("Just a Gigolo", "California Girls")
• Barbra Streisand ("Timeless" tour)
• David Benoit (Shadows)
• Steve Winwood ("Back In The High Life Again", "The Finer Things", Back in the High Life) "Higher Love"
• Daft Punk (Random Access Memories)
• David Foster (Hit Man - David Foster and his Friends)
• George Benson (While the City Sleeps...)
• Sérgio Mendes (on the album Confetti)
• Lisa Stansfield (Seven)

Robinson attended Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Robinson was inducted into the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association Hall of Fame in 2005. The group said Robinson is "the most recorded drummer in history, even surpassing the great Hal Blaine."

Robinson has released two solo albums — Funkshui (2004) and Platinum (2007).

Film

Robinson has played on dozens of film soundtracks including Grand Canyon, ER, My Cousin Vinny, Jerry Maguire, The Bodyguard, Independence Day, Man of Steel, Space Jam, That Thing You Do and most recently, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Equipment

For years, Robinson endorsed Yamaha drums, pedals & hardware and Zildjian cymbals, but in 2006, he switched to Paiste cymbals and in 2009, he switched to DW drums, pedals & hardware, which he still plays today. Robinson also endorses Remo drumheads, Latin Percussion and Regaltip drumsticks; he has his own Regal Tip John JR Robinson signature drumstick and Regal Tip John JR Robinson signature brushes. He also had a Pearl 14x4 John JR Robinson signature snare drum, but it is no longer in production due to joining Drum Workshop in 2009.

References

• http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/John_Robinson.html
• http://www.johnjrrobinson.com/
• http://www.allmusic.com/artist/john-jr-robinson-p119373/credits
• http://www.iowarocknroll.com/inductees/22/john-jr-robinson
• http://www.bluedesert.dk/jrinterview.html