@@DavidAbyssal Or, you can go to 27:20 and listen to everything he says. Long story short, he literally says singers back then didn't want the drums to overshadow them, or upstage them, as it were.
As much of a great drummer he is, that right foot is painful to watch. Not only it's harder to play like that, that also puts your ankle in a position it doesn't want to bend naturally. You can notice that he's putting all the weight of his body on the left foot just to be able to use the right foot like that.
Definitely, when you’re providing the beat for a star, you can’t be flashy unless they want you to, the attention is supposed to be on their performance, not yours.
15:40 That is such a beautiful sentiment from a drummer: "I miss my dance partner." Of course! I'd never thought of it like that, but of course. What an incredible connection they shared for so many years. You can't dance without the groove and Michael was quite possibly the most famous dancer on the planet. To get to be the groove for that had to be something incredibly special.
I've noticed that at live performances that went wrong were always with another drummer like Ricky. Never with Jonathan. Then I heard Michael's nephew say in an interview that Michael never felt good on stage without him.
Plus Sugarfoot's drumming was also used to cue certain parts for MJ's dancing in time with the bass drum to give his dancing more oomph! These two guys are awesome together!
I saw him with Madonna on the Virgin Tour...A few months later, I had my first drum set. I loved his theatrics. He made me want to be a drummer. He was the coolest cat on stage! I loved the cymbals behind him, I tried to copy it at first, but I decided nobody can pull that off like Sugarfoot" Love you Jonathan. Thanks for turning me on to the best instrument on the planet!
@@onesong2001 it’s not unimpressive. Any musician worth anything understands that you have to have the upmost respect for all styles. What’s unimpressive about it ? The cymbals behind him are his trade mark and he is very respected in the drumming community. Let’s see, what have you done in the music industry? Let me guess you’re famous for trolling , lol
1:02:00 "You're sitting half a mile away and I can move you." Jonathan, I'm sitting two years and half a world away from you and it's moving me. Thank you.
Mr Moffett is one of the greats. Im a metalhead bassist but I love funk and soul. Sugarfoot and Clyde Stubnlefield,Jabo Starks,James Gadson...these guys are masters of their craft.
Most of the time the great ones are modest, humble personalities. Listening to his words is almost as impressive as his outstanding drum playing...wow....
Something that nobody mentioned is that he is 65,soon to be 66 and he is still atop his game.I have a special place in my heart for Jonathan.He and I were born the same day in 1954.
@@r4scal. poor kid has been programmed to listen to Michael Jackson and enjoy it. I hope these kids break their programming and learn to enjoy music which isn't complete commercial rubbish one day.
"Artists want a drummer who is disciplined - who doesn't overplay'...so true!! So many drummers need to watch this..... So difficult to find a drummer these days that doesn't overplay and can just lay it down (both with the proper groove and accuracy) in the studio. I would so love to get him in the studio....he'd lay an entire album down perfectly in 2 hours.
One thing that i can't stand is a drummer who show-boats, walks all over the band during performance. It does a huge disservice to drummers at large. Less is more. Lay down a clean groove and stay in the pocket.
Just look at their background, if they come from hard rock, punk rock and jazz, forget it, they will overplay, show off, and probably be better musicians than the rest of the band, and I talk from experience. Pick musicians with religious background, as in playing in the church band, they'll work just fine, a bit boring, but if the star of your music is not the drums and beat it'll work really well.
I noticed that. It's a special place of intense concentration where it's just you and the motion, rythym or whatever activity that professional happens to be doing where concentration is needed. Not many people know what I'm referring to, but those who know will certainly thumb this up.
@@patkaczmarek7362 started playing keyboard very young. Had private lessons and when I left school (16yrs old here) i had by that point achieved a grade 5 with the Associated Board Royal School of Music, with which grade 8 is concert pianist level. Started playing guitar too at around 10. Music faded into a past thing with tragedies at home. Also Ive worked as a coded pipe welder for the last 20yrs since leaving school, a and have found that when im in the zone halfway through a weld.... everything around me fades to background, it's just me, my hands, and that little puddle of molten metal...... Exactly the same as when i was younger playing my guitar or piano
Straight KILT 'Smooth Criminal'!!! How in hell does one keep such precise time with BOTH hands and feet is beyond me. Watching Sugarfoot makes me really appreciate the art of drumming. This man is humble, polite and UBER TALENTED, truly an inspiration for any young wanabe drummer!
39 years worth of playing 12 hours a day - 7 days week at least. It has been said that most people practice their instruments until they get it (whatever that may be) right, professionals play until they can't get it wrong.
The best part was at 32:29 when he tells you what every drummer should know and accept. I teach drums professionally and think once you accept this you can have fun and look forward to getting better and not focus on what you can't do. Great lesson and a great drummer. Thanks Drumeo ;D
For somebody nicknamed "Sugarfoot", the man surely has some "Ninja hands". His behind-the-head cymbal hitting and muting are some of the most fun things to watch as a drummer, and most importantly, he makes it sound very musical. That's what I call groove sense.
Wow!!! LOCOMOTIVE!!! The pure concentration and precision is just over the top...Your in the zone Jonathan...Such pleasure to watch your raw talent. Thank for sharing 💪
I was about to go to bed when I clicked this video. One hour twenty later I'm still up. What a guy. The absolute top tier of professionalism. Astonishing groove and timing, no fancy flourishes except where it enhances the song. Magnificent.
Jonathan is an inspiration. He embodies the groove and stays with it. That’s a true musician where you are a part of something great and realize it’s the collaborative that makes it magical.
Ditto. I played from age 4 to 18. I still air play in the car, but not with sticks. "Foot" is amazing. Being a drummer, I appreciate a talented drummer. Another drummer that is no spring chicken is Cindy Blackman Santana. She plays with the passion of a twenty something yet she is 62.
Dr. Taco If machines have passion, it would be this guy. I literally thought I was listening to drum machines or samples when I hear this guy play, that's how clean he plays.
This was like opening my eyes, for many years of listening MJ musics and videos never think of the drummer upon all the ingredients his puts on it but now I see you....You are really wonderful...thanks so much.
i am not able to play the drums but I watched this whole thing with my jaw just consistently agape. as a musician this kind of deep and transparent demonstration is just pure bliss. God bless this man!
I knew the name "Sugarfoot" for YEARS (fell in love with his style in "Shake your body on to the Ground) I can't tell you how exited I was to find out he was on RUclips! I left my job an hour early just to watch this video. lol He doesn't need a double bass pedal, the man is a genius.
That was actually Gregg Phillinganes who did that shake your body drum pattern. SugarFoot could do it all at once and that's why he played on the record.
He is a total pro. A very well rehearsed pro. But playing with the artists he played with, he had to super precise. A lot of those huge shows had a ton of ques that he had to hit every night. Plus, they used a ton of backing tracks that he had to lock in with. But even more drastic, a lot of these artists even used pre recorded lead vocal tracks....so he had to be the same very night. For example, it would be absolutely impossible for Michael Jackson to sing live and dance the way he did. I'd say that 95% of his show was pre recored lead vocal.
Michael R. The only tour Michael had pre recorded vocals was in 1997, of course he had a few other performances where he lip synced but the victory tour and the bad tour were 100% live which is crazy
Every single piece of this interview, playing, the questions, the demeanor of the interviewer, and Sugarfoot himself, wow. Amazing. Add to this perfect (or near) sound quality, great camera work. Man, what a great 82 minutes and 47 seconds!
if you want gigs.. or to tour the world... play the music kids. Johnathan is a living legend whose played for probably the biggest icons in the world.. good example of how to get the gig
This was amazing on the in sight to Jonathan and his rich history with Michael Jackson.. what a legendary drummer "Sugarfoot" is & I'm no drummer & I can say in this whole interview I've learned to became a drummer it comes from "Mind, Spirit & Physical" and loads & loads of practice!
Man this really moved me. I've wanted a drum set all my life but have always had someone in my life that didn't want the "noise". Now my wife was talking about how she's always wanted to learn how to play so guess what I just ordered her for Christmas! I love how John doesn't read music but 'feels" the music. That's keeping it real and that's how I've always played the harmonica & guitar but the drums, man deep down I know its the drums that have always been calling me. A form of self expression brought forth through our spirit in this physical form we so briefly get to enjoy. ~Truth~Love~
Really enjoyed listening to Sugarfoot’s explanation about the power of these mind. It’s so true, just like training to run long distances. You start off small, 2 miles, 5 miles and by distracting your mind to push trough the pain you eventually get to 10 miles, 20 miles. It’s an amazing feeling and sense of achievement once you get there. Great drum lesson Drumeo 👍
This is the best and most important lesson about music, period! Not just drumming, but music in general and how it is meant to be played. With your heart, with feeling, with passion. The world is full of good technicians, but there are very few out there who play with their hearts like Sugarfoot does. This is the first thing you recognize when you stumble on these videos for the first time.
the shoes are very important here. no joke. they have a very stiff sole and there's no loss of power. they are not super heavy but stiff as fuck! i tried it with the same kind of shoes and it's unreal the "tapping" effect it gives you, it's so good. you feel the head tension better and can "tap" the head like you would with a stick on a snare drum head. if you use the plastic or wood beaters, it taps like crazy. soft sole shoes give a mushy feeling.
i've seen cobham live, he playd similiar speed barefoot without moving legs... its all old school technique. all good drummers. on this level no one can say who is best, its a personal preference
I watched this as a new drummer. 4 years later im even more amazed and inspired. I especially enjoyed learn your instrument and become one with it. The soul and mind must connect the beat with the body!
Leave a comment with your favorite tune that Jonathan played! Lesson Index: 0:40 - "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin" by Michael Jackson 6:00 - Drum Solo 7:30 - Introduction 10:35 - "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson 16:00 - Where did the nickname "Sugarfoot" come from? 23:16 - Jonathan's foot technique (mental/physical aspects) 42:38 - Drum Solo #2 51:10 - Jonathan's approach to writing drum parts 56:23 - Jonathan's tips for beginner/intermediate drummers 1:02:30 - Q & A! 1:09:28 - Drum Solo #3 1:18:13 - "Jam" by Michael Jackson
In very simple and few words ' people like him born god gifted' what he is doing here, not even best drummers in the world can play like him's. Perfect beat knowledge. Wow, what a timing. Salute to a musician like you. Thank you.
Wow!!! I've seen one clip of him playing before this...I was impressed but didn't follow up... but after seeing this.....this guy is amazing. A whole song with no tom fills... just rock solid Groove ....blown away... much respect
Wow, I love how he talks about the mind, the spirit and the physical. You got to be in touch with yourself to make it happen... wow so important for the style and groove. Awesome lesson
Amazing humility and brutaly simple honesty, in both verbal and musical lingo. Precise as needed every time. Pocket every time all the time. Exact pronunciation. Super sweet and extremely cool. Real, love and thankfulness for how much his Father and Savior have gifted him. Bravo brother
I loved this so much. He's so inspirational. I'm not a drummer, I'm a keys player, but I find what he says to be universal, and his message is so meaningful. As a reader, sometimes I get too in my head and forget the raw power of making music. Thanks for this.
Don't forget to check out the grooves of Michael Jackson (Free Series) here ► www.drumeo.com/michael-jackson-grooves/
I was almost sure Michael Jackson used a drum machine.
Now I'm 100 % sure. It's just that the machine has a name.
Yay
In studio he OFTEN used The Linn DM
Me too I thought it was a drum machine when i was a kid
Well on some songs he used Jeff Porcaro too, Beat It being one.
🤣🤣🤣
27:38 "I can do a lot of things, but i don't, because it's not necessary" all is said
That comment right there is a zen lesson itself, a quote to live by.
I mean, its more so that the Singer's were more selfish back then, and didn't want the spotlight taken from them.
@@rainofkhandaq6678 or Sugarfoot himself did not want to receive more atention so Michael got a lot...
@@DavidAbyssal Or, you can go to 27:20 and listen to everything he says.
Long story short, he literally says singers back then didn't want the drums to overshadow them, or upstage them, as it were.
Mark of a professional drummer
This man is a living legend
Dood Ranch : for real brother incredible drummer👍
FACTS!!!!
A Living God is more appropriate...
@@jamess.1140 if you're 5 years old... sure
@@onesong2001why are you so obsessed with MJ if you hate him?
Sugarfoot's discussion on the power of the mind may be some of the heaviest talk ever spoken. Thanks for highlighting him Drumeo.
Which minute is this?
@@latha4080 yes I need to know
When God gifts you a talent of being a drum machine, just say YES
Now that´s a great band drummer, no over filling, no liquid fancy shit, amazing technique, machine precision and solid as an iron block
Dave Sosa 😂😂😂😂 “Liquid Fancy Shit” .....that part got me😂😂🤣🤣.... I MIGHT have to use that as a band name🤣
You are a true wall of magic!! Thank you for the lesson and inspiration.. god bless
As much of a great drummer he is, that right foot is painful to watch. Not only it's harder to play like that, that also puts your ankle in a position it doesn't want to bend naturally. You can notice that he's putting all the weight of his body on the left foot just to be able to use the right foot like that.
why the "solos" though?
Definitely, when you’re providing the beat for a star, you can’t be flashy unless they want you to, the attention is supposed to be on their performance, not yours.
15:40 That is such a beautiful sentiment from a drummer: "I miss my dance partner." Of course! I'd never thought of it like that, but of course. What an incredible connection they shared for so many years. You can't dance without the groove and Michael was quite possibly the most famous dancer on the planet. To get to be the groove for that had to be something incredibly special.
I've noticed that at live performances that went wrong were always with another drummer like Ricky.
Never with Jonathan.
Then I heard Michael's nephew say in an interview that Michael never felt good on stage without him.
Plus Sugarfoot's drumming was also used to cue certain parts for MJ's dancing in time with the bass drum to give his dancing more oomph! These two guys are awesome together!
That's discipline right there. Just str8 drumming. Nada fancy.
And having a world class boss.
This brings in the tears for me.
Drumeo is one of the best things ever happened to humanity.
THE best thing, rithmically speaking
It's so underrated with just 1.1 million subscribers
absolutely!
I concur 100 percent!
I saw him with Madonna on the Virgin Tour...A few months later, I had my first drum set. I loved his theatrics. He made me want to be a drummer. He was the coolest cat on stage! I loved the cymbals behind him, I tried to copy it at first, but I decided nobody can pull that off like Sugarfoot" Love you Jonathan. Thanks for turning me on to the best instrument on the planet!
Super-nice comment here :)
This guy is a complete badass!!!
Just the right amount of drama without taking away from the main performer(s)!
The drumming in Madonna songs is even less impressive than in Michael jacksons. Those cymbals behind JM are a gimmick to impress children.
@@onesong2001 it’s not unimpressive. Any musician worth anything understands that you have to have the upmost respect for all styles. What’s unimpressive about it ? The cymbals behind him are his trade mark and he is very respected in the drumming community. Let’s see, what have you done in the music industry? Let me guess you’re famous for trolling , lol
1:02:00 "You're sitting half a mile away and I can move you."
Jonathan, I'm sitting two years and half a world away from you and it's moving me. Thank you.
I'm not even a drummer and I can't stop watching this. What a machine!!
This is a producer's dream. You can have 15 takes and cut between any of them and they'd fit together perfectly. Immensely talented
True, but the thing is, with Jonathan you wouldn't need 15 takes for the drum track. You'd only need one!
@@kimparker9923you would only need 15 if he purposely gives you 15 different groves to choose from
Michael Jackson's drum machine.
He is so precise, I know MJ was a perfectionist, can see why he hired Jonathan to be his drummer.
This man proves something. Be the best at what you love and people come looking for you.
What is he the best at?
Mr Moffett is one of the greats. Im a metalhead bassist but I love funk and soul. Sugarfoot and Clyde Stubnlefield,Jabo Starks,James Gadson...these guys are masters of their craft.
I've heard that they use him to calibrate metronomes...
They tried to have him calibrate them, but none met his standards for correct timing.
Haha that's a good one. Greetz from Germany
damn that is agood one lol
jajaa
Black_Ninja loooooool
He just made the drum machine look irrelevant.. Great to see a humble man with sublime skills. God bless him.
John G Drum machines will NEVER be irrelevant.
James Reeno ya but nothing beats the real thing
God has already blessed him!
This man looks very humble to me. God bless you, sir.
Someone said, " He kinda looks like Tyson." in these days.
Double kick: "am I a joke to you?"
.
.
.
Sugarfoot: "Yes."
It's blowing my mind!
This should be the top comment
HAHAHAHAHA THIS COMMENT!
He just has the second double-bass drum pedal there to shame it.
i mean its installed, does he ever use it ?
One of the best drummers i ever heard. He plays to make the music shine, not to shine himself.
Most of the time the great ones are modest, humble personalities. Listening to his words is almost as impressive as his outstanding drum playing...wow....
Drumeo, thank you for documenting this. You managed to capture how special his playing is, and now it's part of drumming and music history.
He's not playing drums he's just playing music as he says
@@kaisboughzala1687 he's full of it. That is "it" with a "sh"
Something that nobody mentioned is that he is 65,soon to be 66 and he is still atop his game.I have a special place in my heart for Jonathan.He and I were born the same day in 1954.
Top of his game? You're a joker.
@@onesong2001 You mad?
@Joo Ei no. Are you deaf?
@@onesong2001 he is
@@r4scal. poor kid has been programmed to listen to Michael Jackson and enjoy it. I hope these kids break their programming and learn to enjoy music which isn't complete commercial rubbish one day.
"Artists want a drummer who is disciplined - who doesn't overplay'...so true!! So many drummers need to watch this..... So difficult to find a drummer these days that doesn't overplay and can just lay it down (both with the proper groove and accuracy) in the studio. I would so love to get him in the studio....he'd lay an entire album down perfectly in 2 hours.
One thing that i can't stand is a drummer who show-boats, walks all over the band during performance. It does a huge disservice to drummers at large. Less is more. Lay down a clean groove and stay in the pocket.
Just look at their background, if they come from hard rock, punk rock and jazz, forget it, they will overplay, show off, and probably be better musicians than the rest of the band, and I talk from experience. Pick musicians with religious background, as in playing in the church band, they'll work just fine, a bit boring, but if the star of your music is not the drums and beat it'll work really well.
@@HunkWhite I agree...although someone who overplays is not a good muso in my opinion...a good player, yes ...but not a good muso. :)
To hours you said ? it s possible .just have to pay a good drummer for this.but it must be expensive.
@@HunkWhite you ain't been watching the same gospel drummers I've been watching then....
He talks like there's a sleeping baby in the other room, but he drums like he's leading an intergalactic army into the last battle of the universe.
زيرنويس فارسی
Well Said, Light'nin
Hahaha,true story too funny, I thought he talked like a young Mike Tyson,but don't be fooled by the silky-smooth voice,he is bad ass!
❤
I think he's just tired after playing the drums. You see him sweating (in the beginning of the video)?
OMG I'm a fan of MJ but never ever stopped to look at his drummer! This man has it programmed like a computer 😯😯👍
It is seriously hypnotic watching him play! 🥰
One of my favorite drummers. Listening to Michael Jackson made me want to play drums as a kid because of how the groove pushes the feel of the song
What an absolute legend. Jonathan has full on "feels" in his drumming!
The very first note of Smooth Criminal... he nails it! Astonishing groove and timing with such musicality...blows me away!
i love his eyes when he plays. you just know he goes to some place only the supremely talented gets to visit.
I noticed that. It's a special place of intense concentration where it's just you and the motion, rythym or whatever activity that professional happens to be doing where concentration is needed. Not many people know what I'm referring to, but those who know will certainly thumb this up.
@@patkaczmarek7362 yes
There is a state of consciousness above that. Playing as good ad tight, without being concentrate.
I
@@patkaczmarek7362 started playing keyboard very young. Had private lessons and when I left school (16yrs old here) i had by that point achieved a grade 5 with the Associated Board Royal School of Music, with which grade 8 is concert pianist level. Started playing guitar too at around 10. Music faded into a past thing with tragedies at home.
Also
Ive worked as a coded pipe welder for the last 20yrs since leaving school, a and have found that when im in the zone halfway through a weld.... everything around me fades to background, it's just me, my hands, and that little puddle of molten metal......
Exactly the same as when i was younger playing my guitar or piano
it's "The ultra zone"
What about the subtle mouth gesture when he hits the snare?
Straight KILT 'Smooth Criminal'!!! How in hell does one keep such precise time with BOTH hands and feet is beyond me. Watching Sugarfoot makes me really appreciate the art of drumming. This man is humble, polite and UBER TALENTED, truly an inspiration for any young wanabe drummer!
39 years worth of playing 12 hours a day - 7 days week at least. It has been said that most people practice their instruments until they get it (whatever that may be) right, professionals play until they can't get it wrong.
Being a New Orleans native, makes me realize how many legends have come from my hometown. I am truly lucky.
OMG the TIMING he has is SPOT ON. 😲 EXPLOSIVE!! I can watch him ALL DAY!! 💯💯💯
He’s possessed when he plays. Wow! Just wow, every measure is beyond perfection
The best part was at 32:29 when he tells you what every drummer should know and accept. I teach drums professionally and think once you accept this you can have fun and look forward to getting better and not focus on what you can't do. Great lesson and a great drummer. Thanks Drumeo ;D
For somebody nicknamed "Sugarfoot", the man surely has some "Ninja hands". His behind-the-head cymbal hitting and muting are some of the most fun things to watch as a drummer, and most importantly, he makes it sound very musical. That's what I call groove sense.
I just assumed it was like a diabetic thing.
Java Mocha lul
Daniel Rodrigues really? Omg no wonder he badass
I hear Swiss watchmakers use him for reference.
Love the face expressions when he's playing,he's with Michael on stage when he's playing,and so are we😍😍😍
Wow!!! LOCOMOTIVE!!! The pure concentration and precision is just over the top...Your in the zone Jonathan...Such pleasure to watch your raw talent. Thank for sharing 💪
Sign of a great drummer is keeping the time and making the simple great. Wow it takes discipline not to over fill or show off! This man is the bomb.
A true rhytmic wall. With this guy, there are no problem to follow a tempo in a band.
His right foot on bass drum just like hands on snare. Super fast and powerful. Insane. Thank you for your advice.
I was about to go to bed when I clicked this video. One hour twenty later I'm still up. What a guy. The absolute top tier of professionalism. Astonishing groove and timing, no fancy flourishes except where it enhances the song. Magnificent.
I could watch this man play all day....now im a lover of drums
He's not just giving a guide to drumming it's a guide to life
44:00 so consistent it just sounds like a loop, this guy is a machine
I'm not a musician but I watched the whole thing, utterly fascinating
Osiris same here!!!!
I think many of us are not.
🤗🤗🤗🤗 the most honest comment ever!!
This guy's groove and feel is simply amazing
Jonathan is an inspiration. He embodies the groove and stays with it. That’s a true musician where you are a part of something great and realize it’s the collaborative that makes it magical.
The guy in the back smiling through the whole song makes my day. Keep him in the frame!
You can do less and be a legend. The amount of energy he balances on each stroke.. a living legend.
THE EXCELLENCE, THE PRECISION, THE PROFESSIONALISM, THE MUSICIANSHIP, THE ACCURACY ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!! 🔥⚔️🎯❤️🙏
Definitely a living legend who contributed the golden time of pop music.
I used to be drummer and to see talent on this level is an honor and privilege that gives me goosebumps. Thank you! Simply phenomenal!
Ditto. I played from age 4 to 18. I still air play in the car, but not with sticks. "Foot" is amazing. Being a drummer, I appreciate a talented drummer. Another drummer that is no spring chicken is Cindy Blackman Santana. She plays with the passion of a twenty something yet she is 62.
awesome. To many drummers forgot that the bass drum has a dynamic range, too, and that you can make good use of it for your grooves!
This snare drum, clean sound ❤❤❤
I wish I knew what it was
14x4 dw but whst shell?
That is not a man, that is a machine! What a beast!
English Like a Pro Machines doesn’t have passion, this guy does!
Dr. Taco If machines have passion, it would be this guy. I literally thought I was listening to drum machines or samples when I hear this guy play, that's how clean he plays.
English Like a Pro for sure
Hes not a machine!
I wonder what happens when you see a performance by John Longstreth.
This was like opening my eyes, for many years of listening MJ musics and videos never think of the drummer upon all the ingredients his puts on it but now I see you....You are really wonderful...thanks so much.
Soul, Precision, and Groove is the name of this drummer!
Thank you for making this available to us. What an amazing man.
What an honor! Mahalo for having the Iconic Legend Sugarfoot on your amazing channel & Mahalo Mr. Sugarfoot for sharing your wisdom!
i am not able to play the drums but I watched this whole thing with my jaw just consistently agape. as a musician this kind of deep and transparent demonstration is just pure bliss. God bless this man!
Looking as he played , he is still really blessed.
The behind-the-head symbol action is blowing my mind!
I'm not a drummer nor a musician, but still this was an amazing learning experience.
I knew the name "Sugarfoot" for YEARS (fell in love with his style in "Shake your body on to the Ground) I can't tell you how exited I was to find out he was on RUclips! I left my job an hour early just to watch this video. lol He doesn't need a double bass pedal, the man is a genius.
That was actually Gregg Phillinganes who did that shake your body drum pattern. SugarFoot could do it all at once and that's why he played on the record.
Yeah that's the guy AMAZING
1:20:07 whaaaaaaaat?!?!!?
Matheus Meneghel i said the same thing. The matrix on drums
Ninja
This is incredible!!! OMG!
increibleee 😍😍😍
Is the whipping sound real? Did Sugarfoot actually do that?
This man is precise to the micro second.
He is a total pro. A very well rehearsed pro. But playing with the artists he played with, he had to super precise. A lot of those huge shows had a ton of ques that he had to hit every night. Plus, they used a ton of backing tracks that he had to lock in with. But even more drastic, a lot of these artists even used pre recorded lead vocal tracks....so he had to be the same very night. For example, it would be absolutely impossible for Michael Jackson to sing live and dance the way he did. I'd say that 95% of his show was pre recored lead vocal.
Both your comments are insightful. I believe micro timing is a real thing. And this guy has it.
Michael R. The only tour Michael had pre recorded vocals was in 1997, of course he had a few other performances where he lip synced but the victory tour and the bad tour were 100% live which is crazy
One of the few genuine guys left on this planet.
Every single piece of this interview, playing, the questions, the demeanor of the interviewer, and Sugarfoot himself, wow. Amazing. Add to this perfect (or near) sound quality, great camera work. Man, what a great 82 minutes and 47 seconds!
I got goosebumps.. listen so many years to Michael and to the drums and now see Sugarfoot playing it.. thanks guys !!!!
if you want gigs.. or to tour the world... play the music kids. Johnathan is a living legend whose played for probably the biggest icons in the world.. good example of how to get the gig
I love this! Look how freaking crisp those hits are. Just look at him hit the snare. It’s like an unruly child
44:07 absolutely insane
My eyes rolling every where and my eye shutter not matching with that speed 😁😁
He’s really spiritual, so spiritual he’s possessed when he’s plays. That’s why he’s masterfully perfect in his craft
This was amazing on the in sight to Jonathan and his rich history with Michael Jackson.. what a legendary drummer "Sugarfoot" is & I'm no drummer & I can say in this whole interview I've learned to became a drummer it comes from "Mind, Spirit & Physical" and loads & loads of practice!
Man this really moved me.
I've wanted a drum set all my life but have always had someone in my life that didn't want the "noise". Now my wife was talking about how she's always wanted to learn how to play so guess what I just ordered her for Christmas!
I love how John doesn't read music but 'feels" the music. That's keeping it real and that's how I've always played the harmonica & guitar but the drums, man deep down I know its the drums that have always been calling me. A form of self expression brought forth through our spirit in this physical form we so briefly get to enjoy.
~Truth~Love~
I've never seen someone use the kick so precisely and rapidly. What a absolute master.
Really enjoyed listening to Sugarfoot’s explanation about the power of these mind. It’s so true, just like training to run long distances. You start off small, 2 miles, 5 miles and by distracting your mind to push trough the pain you eventually get to 10 miles, 20 miles. It’s an amazing feeling and sense of achievement once you get there. Great drum lesson Drumeo 👍
This is the best and most important lesson about music, period! Not just drumming, but music in general and how it is meant to be played. With your heart, with feeling, with passion. The world is full of good technicians, but there are very few out there who play with their hearts like Sugarfoot does. This is the first thing you recognize when you stumble on these videos for the first time.
42:35 Wow what a trip . One of the best drum solos i ever heard. Hes a living legend.
Clearly Mr Jonathan Moffett is in the pantheon of Drum Gods.
The man is a total powerhouse. LOVE his playing.
That bass drum during "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin" is UNBELIEVABLE. It sounds like 2 or 3 Bass Drums! Other worldly.
the shoes are very important here. no joke. they have a very stiff sole and there's no loss of power. they are not super heavy but stiff as fuck! i tried it with the same kind of shoes and it's unreal the "tapping" effect it gives you, it's so good. you feel the head tension better and can "tap" the head like you would with a stick on a snare drum head. if you use the plastic or wood beaters, it taps like crazy. soft sole shoes give a mushy feeling.
i've seen cobham live, he playd similiar speed barefoot without moving legs... its all old school technique. all good drummers. on this level no one can say who is best, its a personal preference
I watched this as a new drummer. 4 years later im even more amazed and inspired. I especially enjoyed learn your instrument and become one with it. The soul and mind must connect the beat with the body!
Even the physical act of his drumming looks next level. There's no wasted movement at all
Leave a comment with your favorite tune that Jonathan played!
Lesson Index:
0:40 - "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin" by Michael Jackson
6:00 - Drum Solo
7:30 - Introduction
10:35 - "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson
16:00 - Where did the nickname "Sugarfoot" come from?
23:16 - Jonathan's foot technique (mental/physical aspects)
42:38 - Drum Solo #2
51:10 - Jonathan's approach to writing drum parts
56:23 - Jonathan's tips for beginner/intermediate drummers
1:02:30 - Q & A!
1:09:28 - Drum Solo #3
1:18:13 - "Jam" by Michael Jackson
Drumeo Smooth Criminal
The real question here is: Annie, are you O.K.?
all of them.
I liked each tune of his ...there's nothing called favorite because a drummer cannot thrive or behill or die without these beats ;)
Drumeo I
“Woah”
When he grabbed the symbols at the end of Smooth Criminal. That man is a weapon...
What a cool methodical/logical manner he has of explaining his attributes and ways. Sick drummer, with super powers
In very simple and few words ' people like him born god gifted' what he is doing here, not even best drummers in the world can play like him's. Perfect beat knowledge. Wow, what a timing. Salute to a musician like you. Thank you.
His head moves has a timing!! Precision drums are just incomplete without him 🤗🤗🤗🤗
I think that his accuracy and precision are of stellar levels. ..
Wow!!! I've seen one clip of him playing before this...I was impressed but didn't follow up... but after seeing this.....this guy is amazing. A whole song with no tom fills... just rock solid Groove ....blown away... much respect
Wow, I love how he talks about the mind, the spirit and the physical. You got to be in touch with yourself to make it happen... wow so important for the style and groove. Awesome lesson
Amazing humility and brutaly simple honesty, in both verbal and musical lingo. Precise as needed every time. Pocket every time all the time. Exact pronunciation. Super sweet and extremely cool. Real, love and thankfulness for how much his Father and Savior have gifted him. Bravo brother
A perfect time machine. Precision and Grace all in the right place. Hats off to him. Epic playing and timing.
I loved this so much. He's so inspirational. I'm not a drummer, I'm a keys player, but I find what he says to be universal, and his message is so meaningful. As a reader, sometimes I get too in my head and forget the raw power of making music. Thanks for this.
Absolutely SUPERB DRUMMER. LEGEND. His TIMING and FLOW is EXCEPTIONAL! TRUE, NATURAL and UNINHIBITED rhythm.
That’s amazing when he was talking about holding back the kick just a fraction within the beat.
Locomotive 🚂 omg
The chemistry he still has with michael jackson even though he's gone. is crazy, he never misses a beat