John Jr. Robinson Biography
John Robinson or JR as he is popularly known was born in Creston, Iowa on the 29th December, 1954. JR is truly one of the most creative drummers who has made his mark in the music industry. His parents, Dr. Jack Robinson, an optometrist and Helen Sloan helped him discover his musical potential. John JR Robinson is a talented individual and this is evident from the fact that he started learning the piano at an early age of 5 years and then moved on to playing the drums at the age of 8 years! JR started out with his first band when he was 10 years old. John visited many music camps throughout his junior and senior high. Later on, he went on to join the Berklee College of Music in Boston. It was in the year 1978 that John Robinson “JR” finally got his break.
JR credits his drum instructors, stating that he is good only because of them. In 1978, he joined Rufus and Chaka Khan starting a new chapter in his drumming career. The song, “Ain’t Nobody” and his involvement with many other songs as well as music genres put JR among the drumming greats. His popularity knows no boundaries. Everyone has heard him play and this fact is more evident with his association with various music artists like Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, the great Frank Sinatra, Lionel Richie, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton and the list simply goes on. It’s no wonder that John Robinson “JR” is the most recorded drummer in history.
During JR’s association with Rufus and Chaka Khan, he got an offer that was too tempting for him by the great Quincy Jones. This is where John “JR” Robinson struck big since he got an opportunity to work with Michael Jackson for “Off the Wall”. Ever since this gig, his phones started ringing off the hook. Breaking Hal Blaine’s record and being recognized as the most recorded drummer in history was no ordinary task. Some of John “JR” Robinson’s many hits include We are the World and All night Long by Lionel Richie, I’m just a Gigolo and California Girls by David Lee Roth, Quincy Jones’ The Dude, Michael Jackson’s ever so popular Bad, etc. among others. JR has been playing the drums for Quincy Jones ever since the year 1979 and then for Barbara Streisand from the year 1993. One of the many hallmarks in his musical career would be the Grammy award for his contribution for the hit single “Ain’t Nobody” along with Rufus and Chaka Khan. John “JR” Robinson has also given music to many motion pictures, namely, My Cousin Vinny, Pirates of the Caribbean-Dead Man’s Chest, Nutty Professor, The Body guard, Free Willy, Rush Hour 2 among others. JR was also a part of Barbara Streisand’s Timeless tour in the US and Australia.
JR is also involved in conducting private drumming lessons. Apart from sharing his knowledge with budding drumming enthusiasts, John is also involved in selling musical instruments within his own signature line. These instruments would involve Yamaha products like John “JR” Robinson’s signature snare drum, his signature drum sticks and drum brushes, etc. Ever since JR got the gig with Michael Jackson, he decided once and for all that he would never turn down any gig that would come his way. Thanks to this decision, John “JR” Robinson signed a 15 year studio deal. Presently, he has been 23 years in the studio and is still going strong. In addition to his, there are many companies that sponsor John Robinson “JR” like Buttkicker, DANMAR, HANSEN, MARS, Yamaha, Paiste, Remo, MONSTER, Carl Fischer Music and many others. JR has also appeared in many magazines like Drums, Drum Scene, Modern Drummer, etc. Ninety percent of JR’s time involves reading the drum charts, ten percent of his work time goes in writing the drum charts and then there are the practice sessions of course. JR is greatly influenced by the bands Led Zeppelin, Beatles, The Animals and the Rolling Stones.
Playing the drums and still going strong, two words always crop up in mind when someone takes John “JR” Robinson’s name, “great groove”.