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Jonathan Moffett

For the Irish rugby player, see Jonathan Moffett (rugby union).

Jonathan Moffett
Moffett in 2018
Born
Jonathan Philip Moffett

(1954-11-17) November 17, 1954 (age 69)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Other namesSugarfoot, Foot
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active1979–present
Spouse
Myra Hissami
​
(m. 2021)​
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Drums
  • percussion
  • vocals
LabelsEnvision Entertainment
Websitemoffettstore.com
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]

Early life

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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]

Career

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The Jacksons

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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]

Moffett seated behind gold-plated drums
Moffett behind an extensive drum kit in 2013

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]

Madonna

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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]

Others

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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.

Michael Jackson's solo career

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One of the toms from the HIStory World Tour drum kit Moffett owns

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's gold drum kit

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.

Equipment

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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]

Awards

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Legacy

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Moffett in Milan, Italy prior to a show

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]

Filmography

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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

Discography

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Albums

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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

Songs

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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

References

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  1. ^ Jonathan Moffett eltonjohn.com
  2. ^ "Drummerworld: Jonathan Moffett".
  3. ^ "Jonathan Moffett Biography". www.drumlessons.com. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  4. ^ "Jonathan Moffett Biography | Famous Drummers". www.drumlessons.com. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  5. ^ a b "02/08/17 Jonathan "Sugarfoot" Moffett - Drummer with Michael Jackson, George Michael, Madonna and Elton John". Jackie's Groove. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  6. ^ "Jonathan Moffett". Eventful. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  7. ^ "Jonathan Moffett on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Drummerworld: Jonathan Moffett". www.drummerworld.com. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  9. ^ "Jonathan Moffett Biography | Famous Drummers". www.drumlessons.com. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  10. ^ Easlea, Daryl; Chancler, Ndugu (October 7, 2016). Michael Jackson: Rewind: The Life and Legacy of Pop Music's King. Race Point Publishing. ISBN 9781631063671.
  11. ^ a b c "Jonathan Moffett | Official Site | JMdb". Jonathan Moffett | Official Site | JMdb. Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  12. ^ "Jacksons Triumph Tour Information". www.michael-jackson-trader.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  13. ^ a b "Jonathan Moffett – The Best Drum Lessons and Drum Shows Online". www.drumchannel.com. drumchannel.com. Archived from the original on March 22, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  14. ^ Jackson, Jermaine (August 14, 2012). You Are Not Alone: Michael: Through a Brother's Eyes. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9781451651584.
  15. ^ "Jonathan 'Sugarfoot' Moffett | Beat Magazine". www.beat.com.au. Archived from the original on March 22, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  16. ^ tubeWATCH3Rr (July 15, 2009), Michael Jackson's – Pepsi Commercial Accident in 1984, retrieved May 12, 2017{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ a b c "Jonathan Moffett". Discogs. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  18. ^ "JONATHAN MOFFETT". Discogs. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  19. ^ "Madonna Virgin Tour Snapshots". www.lanphier.net. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  20. ^ "The Who's that girl Tour-1987". January 27, 2012. Archived from the original on March 23, 2017. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  21. ^ "Live Aid (July 13th, 1985): Madonna". liveaid.free.fr. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  22. ^ Two Rooms: A Tribute to Elton John & Bernie Taupin (TV Movie 1991), retrieved May 26, 2017
  23. ^ "Video: The drummers of Michael Jackson". MusicRadar. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  24. ^ "'NSYNC, Michael Jackson, P. Diddy, Mariah Stand United at D.C. Concert". MTV News. Archived from the original on September 15, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  25. ^ "Diana Ross – Silk Electric". Discogs. December 12, 1982. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  26. ^ "Michael Jackson Documentary This Is It..." CNN iReport.
  27. ^ "Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009) – Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  28. ^ "Jonathan Sugarfoot Moffett". www.facebook.com. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  29. ^ "Jonathan Sugarfoot Moffett". www.facebook.com. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  30. ^ "Jonathan Moffett: Drummer for the King of Pop". MJVibe. April 6, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  31. ^ Jisi, Chris (January 8, 2020). "Men in the mirror: the bassists of Michael Jackson". Guitar World.
  32. ^ "Michael Jackson Immortal Tour Wraps With Eighth-Best Gross of All Time". Billboard. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  33. ^ "Exclusive: Michael Jackson drummer Jonathan Moffett to perform This Is It songs at AIMS – Undercover.fm News". Undercover. Archived from the original on March 27, 2017. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  34. ^ "RIAA Awards". www.mjjcollectors.com. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
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