This guy gets paid because of his ability to sit in the pocket, not overplay those around him, and deliver a consistent and solid groove. He is obviously very talented. His solos are not going to be like those you hear from Thomas Lang, Dave Weckl, Benny Greb, etc. but that's not his thing. His thing is being the best at what he does and that's why he is one of, if not, the most recorded drummers in the world.
@@longtallshorty5791 : You probably would have not worked it out. You certainly must be a miserable person. I hope you turn things around and have a successful life.
Holy shit, all these years I jammed this song in my car or on my Dj system, its this mans' groove right here I'm hearing, and now I get to see the man himself on youtube. Outstanding.
I met him in Germany-great and nice man! He was playing "Ain't Nobody" from Chaka Khan after Rod Morgenstein did a solo!! He hit the stage with words-" I"m into simple things" and big smile ! What a Man !
Perfect to the record, not an unintentional flam to be heard. Man, this song brings me back to 1979 and being in 6th grade and school dances. Great memories.
This is absolutely out of this world. !!!This drummer guy is amazing, very skilled and talented. This guy blows my mind away. I can see myself dancing my ass off forever while this drummer plays. I believe he’s taken playing the drums to another level!!! Wowww!!!
CLASSIC and professional drumming! It's not all about speed and as many notes one can squeeze into a bar. It's called having finesse timing, and a true feel for the music.
@@BassmanII Apparently Quincy Jones agreed and it’s why he chose him to play on the entire Off the Wall album; in my opinion, Michael Jackson’s finest album!
I had the chance to see and hear JR playing this track in a small drum booth at the Frankfurt music fair. Pure magic! And such a humble guy. He was so kind to take a photo with me and we had some chat. A true pro!
Humble? Seriously? He was trying to inflate himself and steal other guy's girls when I met him in Orlando, back in the 90's... He's a complete joke, a piece of shit, blind man.
JR is the man! 🥁 His drum clinics are one of the most interesting around because he's played on so many hits. It's not just about his amazing drumming, it's about the great stories he has making those hit songs.
something that really stands out, and is so subtle, and that most observers and other drummers fail to see is that JR is playing phrases, not just a couple bars here and there of licks and beats. He truly plays the song, phrase by phrase. You can see his 4 bar and 8 bar approach to the composition. THAT is one of the reasons he is such a sought after player (musician) and straight forward time keeper.
Perfect! I’ve told a few young drummers that beat the snot out of their cymbals that NO ONE dances to incessant cymbal crashes. People dance to a bass drum, snare and hats. Ya gotta live in that pocket.
A great lesson for drummers who want to be fancy. Keeping a steady groove is the most valuable asset a drummer has. If you can't keep a beat, you can't play the drums professionally. His beat is metronomic.
JR was actually a busy drummer when he was attending Berklee and playing in bands in the Boston area. He was such an animal that he used to tie his kick drum to his drum stool!
I remember this being probably the first single from the Off the Wall album, around late summer, 1979. The song blew our minds because it was MJs first solo project (after the Ben soundtrack), and it was so different from anything we'd previously heard from the Jackson dynasty.
We've been living in an Era of.....'More!.....Faster!......'Louder!'.......More Sensational!'....... More Incredible Fills!".................... I'm just so Over it. Met John once at Lions Share Studios in the LA Area, 1987. He shook my hand, and was extremely personable and friendly. Thanks John! ( I showed up there with a cartage guy named, 'Bear'. Our band Northrup, was in the Yamaha Sound Check' competition that year. Exciting week. Earthquake, included..... Lol!
Damn! Homie gets down. Sounds easy to play to non-drummers, but to my drummer family out there, ya know how difficult it is to pull off what he is playing. That timing is perfect! You need some serious skill and stick control to play this. Those fills are so creative. He is playing everything he needs to and nothing more. He dosnt even use a crash through out the entire song.
This and Rock With You were the two things that exposed me to pocket playing - while at 12 years old. My young brain was intrigued, to say the least. These songs in my opinion are high water marks for no-nonsense pocket playing. It’s just the greatest ever!
Outstanding durmming, that pure pro quality of session drummers that made the old days so unforgettable!!! And this song is pure perfection, one of the best ever made in history, and for me, the best from MJ's career.
Jr. Robinson's percussion skills are excellent, but his precise timing and his unique masterful ability to maintain a well executed grove is phenomenal. To the drummer his performances are gifts we hopefully can attempt to learn, as well as cherish.
If I remember correctly, he is from Des Moines Iowa. He’s a bit older than me and went to a high school that was built the same year as mine and they look the same from the front. When I learned he was the drummer for MJ, I was envious. I was into Bill Bruford and believed playing progressive music was the determining factor of a great drummer. Then I sat 10 feet away from Buddy Rich at a club in Des Moines and my entire view/opinion about drumming changed.
I remember seeing John Robinson playing on a special with David Foster to showcase a number of artists that Foster penned songs for. One of the artists was Kenny Logins. They played my favorite Loggin's song, "Heart to Heart". I had no idea who he was, but I was blown away at how locked in he had that groove. There are a lot of guys who can play amazing chops, but if you can't play in time within the pocket and conduct the train, well, then you're not much use to the rest of the band.
Hi John! It's Yvonne from the record store. I hope you all are faring well! This stay at home order is gettin' old! I'm sharing your vids with my audio production class :) be well ! thank you for the super vids!
Now all this fun would be great. if only i could learn bass guitar?, that instrument go's really well with the Drum Set everyday & every hour of the day :-) .
OK, is it just me but did JJ Robinson miss a tom fill at @ 05:19? I heard the fill but didn't see his hands change positions! However, he did pick up the subsequent fills.
I first seen JR play with Chaka Khan at the Roxy in LA my sister Terri took me I’ll never forget what a show we were in college at USC etc we’re like why are we in school again?
I'm intrigued by his palm up grip on left hand when it goes up to the hi-hat, and how he tickles out the notes with his fingers. Seems like a good way to keep that shoulder and elbow down. Gonna try that.
There's a reason this guy is still the 1st name people dial when they want a great drum track and there's also reason why they don't call the gospel chop guys to do this man's work.
One of the best drummers on this planet
A master of his craft. JR, Keltner, Porcaro (RIP). Drummers who knew how to make the MUSIC they were playing sound great.
This guy gets paid because of his ability to sit in the pocket, not overplay those around him, and deliver a consistent and solid groove. He is obviously very talented. His solos are not going to be like those you hear from Thomas Lang, Dave Weckl, Benny Greb, etc. but that's not his thing. His thing is being the best at what he does and that's why he is one of, if not, the most recorded drummers in the world.
Thank you. We're too stupid to have worked that out for ourselves. Thank god you were here.
@@longtallshorty5791 : You probably would have not worked it out. You certainly must be a miserable person. I hope you turn things around and have a successful life.
@@longtallshorty5791 What a childish, caustic comment that was. Feel better now?
The Hal Blaine of the Modern Era?
Exactly what i thought..we obviously have an intellectually superior being in our midst.@@canadianroot
I love JR’s relaxed grip and his groove.
Barely holding them!!!
He certainly has an interesting grip . The right looks upside down. Beautiful style
Holy shit, all these years I jammed this song in my car or on my Dj system, its this mans' groove right here I'm hearing, and now I get to see the man himself on youtube. Outstanding.
I went to high school with John. He was awesome playing drums in our school band!
Pretty Cool huh?
I met him in Germany-great and nice man! He was playing "Ain't Nobody" from Chaka Khan after Rod Morgenstein did a solo!! He hit the stage with words-" I"m into simple things" and big smile ! What a Man !
Perfect to the record, not an unintentional flam to be heard. Man, this song brings me back to 1979 and being in 6th grade and school dances. Great memories.
Living proof that it's the drummers who can keep time that are the ones getting paid!
Really? Or maybe who you know... who you're in with?
not anymore..
Carl palmer got paid...he can't keep time. And I could list about a hundred more depending on what you actually mean by Keep Time.
Don't say that on RUclips, lol.The all about the solo chops drummers get upset when you say pocket,gig,tour,major artist,get paid!!!😂😂😂
@@morbidmanmusic
Palmer can't keep time..
Greatest bs..😂😂
Makes it look very easy..this dude is one of the GOATS..😊😊😊
This is absolutely out of this world. !!!This drummer guy is amazing, very skilled and talented. This guy blows my mind away. I can see myself dancing my ass off forever while this drummer plays. I believe he’s taken playing the drums to another level!!! Wowww!!!
Probably because he’s is Michael Jackson’s studio drummer
He is the ELITE’s drummer.
If one listens carefully, one will notice his tempo and control are so precise and rock solid, he is in perfect synch with himself.
One of the great compoition of mj.
Oh if one would
He's got that pulse. Totally sucks you in.
That’s what a good drummer does, hahahaha
CLASSIC and professional drumming! It's not all about speed and as many notes one can squeeze into a bar. It's called having finesse timing, and a true feel for the music.
Flashy chops for show, deep pocket for dough.
My deceased husband, a great golfer, said " You drive for show, and put for dough"!
This is why as a bassist myself, I love working with drummers like this.
@@BassmanII
Apparently Quincy Jones agreed and it’s why he chose him to play on the entire Off the Wall album; in my opinion, Michael Jackson’s finest album!
Rock solid timing!!! A great mood and groove setter he is!!!
JR Robinson is quite an underrated drummer… 👍🏻
So clear why JR was THE guy on so many records. His feel and technique are insane.
Blind dipshit.
His feel is great...technique not so much
Not only is he a great drummer, but he seems to have fun doing it too. It's fun to watch him groove along with the music.
I had the chance to see and hear JR playing this track in a small drum booth at the Frankfurt music fair. Pure magic! And such a humble guy. He was so kind to take a photo with me and we had some chat. A true pro!
Humble? Seriously? He was trying to inflate himself and steal other guy's girls when I met him in Orlando, back in the 90's... He's a complete joke, a piece of shit, blind man.
@@wakeup4396 Yeah, I met him in the 90s as well and he was a really nice guy....so...
Something hypnotic about that level of consistency. Doesn’t seem at all concerned with hitting hard. Holds sticks like they are crystal.
I love when a drummer/musician finds the pocket and his soul just lives there for 3 minutes or more. Its heaven on earth to a musician
Lovely. Simple, uncluttered, all for the song. You can keep your polyrhythmic virtuosos - this really IS what it's all about.
to you.
@@krusher74to Michael Jackson.
JR is the man! 🥁 His drum clinics are one of the most interesting around because he's played on so many hits. It's not just about his amazing drumming, it's about the great stories he has making those hit songs.
something that really stands out, and is so subtle, and that most observers and other drummers fail to see is that JR is playing phrases, not just a couple bars here and there of licks and beats. He truly plays the song, phrase by phrase. You can see his 4 bar and 8 bar approach to the composition. THAT is one of the reasons he is such a sought after player (musician) and straight forward time keeper.
He keep in the pocket when he playing the beat
True!
Love the infectious smile of joy as he is playing. Just really fun to see.
Perfect! I’ve told a few young drummers that beat the snot out of their cymbals that NO ONE dances to incessant cymbal crashes. People dance to a bass drum, snare and hats. Ya gotta live in that pocket.
A great lesson for drummers who want to be fancy. Keeping a steady groove is the most valuable asset a drummer has. If you can't keep a beat, you can't play the drums professionally. His beat is metronomic.
Well said
Please shut the f up, lack-luster moron.
@@wakeup4396 Relax
JR was actually a busy drummer when he was attending Berklee and playing in bands in the Boston area. He was such an animal that he used to tie his kick drum to his drum stool!
You're damn right... Keep the groove and stay in pocket.
I remember this being probably the first single from the Off the Wall album, around late summer, 1979. The song blew our minds because it was MJs first solo project (after the Ben soundtrack), and it was so different from anything we'd previously heard from the Jackson dynasty.
We've been living in an Era of.....'More!.....Faster!......'Louder!'.......More Sensational!'....... More Incredible Fills!".................... I'm just so Over it. Met John once at Lions Share Studios in the LA Area, 1987. He shook my hand, and was extremely personable and friendly. Thanks John! ( I showed up there with a cartage guy named, 'Bear'. Our band Northrup, was in the Yamaha Sound Check' competition that year. Exciting week. Earthquake, included..... Lol!
Fills bring the thrills but groove pays the bills.
Outstanding, a machine of timing, the beat the rhythm, it flows through him to his drum kit, he becomes one with the music.
Damn! Homie gets down. Sounds easy to play to non-drummers, but to my drummer family out there, ya know how difficult it is to pull off what he is playing. That timing is perfect! You need some serious skill and stick control to play this. Those fills are so creative. He is playing everything he needs to and nothing more. He dosnt even use a crash through out the entire song.
Many 60s studio drummers never came back in on the crash. He’s killer!
yes he does
around 1:36 or 1:38
This and Rock With You were the two things that exposed me to pocket playing - while at 12 years old. My young brain was intrigued, to say the least. These songs in my opinion are high water marks for no-nonsense pocket playing. It’s just the greatest ever!
Oh yeah, and I gave my life to Jesus when I was 18.
Fantastic crisp super tight and loose all at the same time 😮Respect 👌Love this guy's drumming ❤
great finger technique in stick control and admirable ease in the wrists. Chapeau
As a keyboardist/pianist MJ songs are so great to play, cant imagine how much fun it must be to jam it on drums!
This guy is incredible
Outstanding durmming, that pure pro quality of session drummers that made the old days so unforgettable!!! And this song is pure perfection, one of the best ever made in history, and for me, the best from MJ's career.
The man right here. I feel like dancing!
My gosh . . .you can try & deny the groove but it will get you eventually. From the top shelf 🔥🔥🔥
This is so very epic. You people don’t know how kool this is
Jr. Robinson's percussion skills are excellent, but his precise timing and his unique masterful ability to maintain a well executed grove is phenomenal. To the drummer his performances are gifts we hopefully can attempt to learn, as well as cherish.
He's the real deal...drumming for MJ. That's the real dough right there. That's where the rubber meets the road.
Love the precision of the snare. LOVE LOVE...❤
I had the best time of my life riding The Voyage wooden roller-coaster listening to this track...damn he was good!
Nobody looks to the right and then back to the left with as much groove as JR.
Superb!. That's what drummers are for. To keep the rest within the beat and groove.
Thank you for share your music and talet with us.
The groove that makes money!
In the Pocket!!!! Love effortless precision.
True master of less is more, beautiful!
If I remember correctly, he is from Des Moines Iowa. He’s a bit older than me and went to a high school that was built the same year as mine and they look the same from the front. When I learned he was the drummer for MJ, I was envious. I was into Bill Bruford and believed playing progressive music was the determining factor of a great drummer. Then I sat 10 feet away from Buddy Rich at a club in Des Moines and my entire view/opinion about drumming changed.
This man Is the original Drummer for this song and many other for MJ .......... he is a legend
And for Rufus & Chaka Khan, Quincy Jones, Brothers Johnson Lionel Richie the list goes on
He is a history of Drummer Success @@timbuktug3321
@@timbuktug3321Higher Love
@@jasfan8247 yep and the Finer Things
JR is the one guy who could sit in with Rush that I'd feel comfortable with.
This is a masterclass in how to play for the song.
Fantastic 😎🥁JR makes any song sound great 👏🏿😎
All pocket! Loved that! Gonna go try it....
Mucho respect. Terrific sounding snare.
Brilliant drummer and a great person
My fav MJ tune.
Solid as a rock.. one of my favorite players 👍👍
Always entertaining to watch and the drums sound great
One of the best drummers in rock genre.
Tons of respect for this guy!
love how even during the fills the groove goes on an on and on ...
Just awesome
AWESOME!!! SIMPLY AWESOME!!!! Thanks for posting & thanks JR!
Semplice ,e mi piace , da divertirsi con questo brano vero!
The Clint Eastwood of the Drum Kit...
Pure Class😎
Millions dollar groove and he played very enjoy and happy...
ladies and gentlemen...THE GROOVE! i like the movement of his head!;)
Notice how he kept the motifs during the solo. There's just so much to learn from him.
The art of a time keeper.
I remember seeing John Robinson playing on a special with David Foster to showcase a number of artists that Foster penned songs for. One of the artists was Kenny Logins. They played my favorite Loggin's song, "Heart to Heart". I had no idea who he was, but I was blown away at how locked in he had that groove.
There are a lot of guys who can play amazing chops, but if you can't play in time within the pocket and conduct the train, well, then you're not much use to the rest of the band.
Should be able to play after all those years Drumming. Great feeling
One of the all time greats
Well first off his metronome is flawless. Then he knows the song inside and out. He’s a straight groove player.
Show off , love it . All around drummer
I have seen JR Robinson perform in all different genre's of music and I think hei is the best all around drummer of his generation....
A legend,,, nothing more needs saying.
Awesome! Groove baby!
Hi John! It's Yvonne from the record store. I hope you all are faring well! This stay at home order is gettin' old! I'm sharing your vids with my audio production class :) be well ! thank you for the super vids!
Super cool sympa patrile 🥁👍👏👏🥁👍👏👏👏👍
If I hadn't seen the dropped stick catch, I probably wouldn't have heard it. What a pro!
Love it, also noticed the extended MJ vocals towards the end
So this is the Master that was without knowing a big part of my dancing life
The master groove man.
Rocket Mr. Pocket. Dang that's DEEP grooce
Love it !
Lee! These people love me man!
Now all this fun would be great. if only i could learn bass guitar?, that instrument go's really well with the Drum Set everyday & every hour of the day :-) .
A legend session drummer. Was he ever part of any band?
Chaka Khan way back in the day, I think
Can't tell what the Book is by the cover. Thanks from the Old Guy seats.
Brilhante.
John Robinson from Beatmania Incredible Sir
OK, is it just me but did JJ Robinson miss a tom fill at @ 05:19? I heard the fill but didn't see his hands change positions! However, he did pick up the subsequent fills.
I first seen JR play with Chaka Khan at the Roxy in LA my sister Terri took me I’ll never forget what a show we were in college at USC etc we’re like why are we in school again?
I'm intrigued by his palm up grip on left hand when it goes up to the hi-hat, and how he tickles out the notes with his fingers. Seems like a good way to keep that shoulder and elbow down. Gonna try that.
Gifted groover for real, 😎
Drum's are way to much fun.
I think you mean 'too.'
mega station *Drums, *too
Robinson was on the Rufus album Master Jam too
The way he turns his wrist and holds the stick on the left shows he knows what he's doing
There's a reason this guy is still the 1st name people dial when they want a great drum track and there's also reason why they don't call the gospel chop guys to do this man's work.