Jonathan Moffett |
Jonathan "Sugarfoot" Moffett 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. 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. 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. 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. Moffett also worked with Madonna on her Who's That Girl Tour and Blond Ambition Tour. 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 his passing, Moffett drummed around the world honouring Michael Jackson 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), Janet Jackson, George Michael, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, The Eagles, Julian Lennon, Diana Ross, Elton John, Peter Cetera, Patti Austin, Cameo, Richard Marx and many others. |
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Gregg
Bissonette - Jonathan Moffet - Bernhard Castiglioni (Drummerworld)
Elton John Tour
Jonathan Moffett - Michael Jackson
Jonathan Moffett - Michael Jackson