John "JR" Robinson: King of the Groove, Session Stories, and Recording Secrets

[@JakeReedmusic]

What’s your favorite JR recording?

[@iugedrummer]

So hard to choose.. Jon Anderson - Hold on to love😍 The Manhattan Transfer - So You Say (Esquinas)🤩 Rufus & Chaka Khan, Masterjam!!

[@alexanderednie1205]

Any Chaka

[@paulrevelli]

Man, it's hard to pick one. Just about everything on "Off The Wall" but particularly "Working Day and Night". That is just friggin' nasty.

[@vintageklavier1980s]

For me it would have to be maybe some of the fantastic MJ or Luis Miguel albums, but then I remembered that JR played on some of Eric Marienthal's albums that I listened to a lot when I was younger; check out e.g. Eric Marienthal's songs such as "It's Better Than Nothing", "Serengeti", "One For James" or "The Village" which to my knowledge feature JR on drums!

[@danfelixmusic2536]

Anything. The Dude with Quincy Jones is 👌👌 Everything he does is as close to perfect as you can get

[@korolchukpp]

I have a lot of respect for John Robinson!

[@michaelshenny]

Never clicked a video so fast. JR is THE MAN! Two leg ends there. Great.

[@Sheepstealer8927]

Who doesn't love leg ends.😂

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

So, only 1 leg after that?! 😅

[@mikenicora6701]

JR seems like such a cool guy. He’s one of the only guys who actually will talk about past endorsements. Great video. Thanks

[@larryhendrixson3651]

Thank you Jake and JR! I could easily listen to you all for many more hours! One great example of JR’s impeccable swing is on “Fever” with Ray Charles and Natalie Cole. Perfection!

[@warmspringsgroup]

I worked with JR he is not only a genius, but a true gentleman. What a gift!

[@SKragseth]

So freakin' cool to have a legend in your drum room

[@gaetanclybouw]

His grooves stay in my head rent free. From Chaka Khan to Michael. John is and always will be a drumming legend

[@YaBoiMike_]

I'm playing a gig with Mitch Towne in Nebraska next month, what a small world! Can't wait to ask Mitch about what it was like in the studio for 'Vanguards of Groove' Thank you so much Jake and JR for an amazing interview.

[@mlklotusmann6749]

What a great interview and demonstration! Thanks for sharing

[@tomcottone]

GREAT stuff! Love this and your interview with Peter Erskine. Keep up the good work Jake, and thank you!

[@davidddrums]

The “Rock With You” cover in the beginning 😂

[@chicanochops]

That was perfect

[@David-vu7zy]

Thanks for posting. I’ve loved JR for years. I got to meet him back in the 90s and showed me the intro to Higher Love. Can’t wait to get the book

[@MrMateogaguilar]

I thought I needed to see an interview with him, specially by a drummer, literally two days ago and voilá! Thank you, it hits every subject I'd like to ask him, and more

[@HR2635]

JR is just a cool fun guy. And he does love beer. I can attest to that. Never forgot my first time meeting him in 97. He said such kind words about my playing, and invited me to LA.. I will NEVER forgive my self for not going.

[@thomastornroos7393]

Fantastic stories 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ThePalmatron]

Love JR...Awesome interview! Thanks...

[@AmyDrums]

This is excellent! Loving the new (signed) book! Thank you, JR!

[@JonDoe-xt7lh]

Porcaro been my fav drummer

[@ThomasNappo]

Love the stories..imagine the best players in the world playing with JR..😊

[@spikesmundranos3308]

Fantastic interview ! JR is the King.

[@tmaddrummer]

This is so good.... Thanks and Blessings!

[@mnegline1971]

this is gold. this is wonderful. this needs to be spread far and wide

[@jornthedrummer]

Thanks! Great interview.

[@adee2569]

Thank you, JR’s!! Truly amazing video!

[@JeffWald]

More gold! Listening/Watching while I work today. Its cool seeing you hanging with the Legend guys

[@Zimi1987]

Thanks for this interview @JakeReedMusic!

[@ot5634]

John Robinson is an amazing drummer. A Legend ! 👍🏾

[@danfelixmusic2536]

This is great Jake. JR is so silky and smooth. I tried to emulate as a kid learning in the late 80s. Could listen to him for days. If you do more of these, might I suggest the groove monster Steve Ferrone?

[@morbidmanmusic]

Jake, Glad you are using the amazing DrumPhones. They sound great even unplugged. Thanks guys, for the amazing, humbling lesson and stories.

[@AndrewMasters]

Nice job boys! So excited to pick up this book.

[@JakeReedmusic]

Thanks dude! Yes, it’s required reading for drummers.

[@AndrewMasters]

I don't want to raise the dead..

[@JakeReedmusic]

@@AndrewMasters HAHAHA

[@eriksmithdrummer]

Great, great stuff! I got to know JR back in 2003 when we both did Yamaha Groove Night in LA. He was always one of my big inspirations. The same year we did a duo clinic tour of scandinavia together. Watching him play every night from up close and playing some double drums with him was out of this world. And in addition, as comes across here, he was such a classy and cool guy. Thanks both!

[@roloduarte3100]

What an awesome interview.

[@Drummerboy67]

Awesome ,JR killing it at 150:20 thanks for sharing. What a great opportunity for you to have him come to your studio that’s an opportunity of a lifetime. My friend JR is awesome. Been watching them for a few years learning more and more about how involved he has been in the music industry that I’ve come to realize. Definitely going to buy his book.👍😁🥁🥁🥁

[@richandglorious]

This video ist unbelievably great as whole, but your duo is so killing!! i am looking forward to rewatch this a loooot of times!

[@maixce]

This is the most informative and inspiring video I have watched about “studio drumming” JR is great 🥁🤗❣️

[@BillyDeanDrum]

Bringing the heat... Thanks!

[@SuperJazzhead]

Absolute monster drummer, one of the greats for sure, brilliant interview and I’m so getting that book

[@drumlessonsplus5782]

This is fantastic, Peter. Now onto JR! Thank you, Jake.

[@johncastelletti5489]

this is what i have been waiting for... . dude.

[@michaelfulgenzi7445]

This is really great. Thanks for sharing!

[@louiedtrio4624]

Awesome JR Just purchased your book Can't wait to read it

[@Syverdude]

Amazing interview! So great to hear all the stories and to hear how he lays back on the snare like that. And your double drum jam at the end was super tasty and refreshingly musical. Hopefully Santa brings me JR's book under the tree.

[@markbryant8321]

JR I've followed since RUFUS . He is still one of my top favs .he's a legend to me..learnt a lot from him .love pocket players..my self . Jeff gadd spot on .but there so many more .list I'd endless of my drummers

[@Tisnieanders]

What a nice interview, John says at 1:07… that he appreciates the sound of his Slingerland so much, and stuck to that sound. That reminds me of my double Slingerland 24” that Frans Smit (Brainbox) wanted to play a few times because of the amazing sound. and of Caesar Zuiderwijk's statement that drummers are always right and never play wrong ;) Greetings from Holland

[@davidcurtis4478]

Keep Groovin' the passion guys! 👍👍

[@drums1551]

Thank you for this!

[@pal4597]

Wow! Can't wait until I watch this! I have his signature snare. It's a beauty.

[@salinasbeat]

This is SO GREAT! Thank you!!

[@drumcoachjack3507]

Love the drumbro vibe. I set up Steve Gadd his drumkit one day and when I just finished with it I heard some noise behind me and there he was: my idol. Within seconds we were talking about cymbals. Just like drumbro’s talking drums. Steve’s the kindest guy.

[@DICARLOPRODUCTIONS]

John came to my gig in 2012, a year after I met him. He was on tour with the great Barbra Striesand.. He was the reason I got to see her. Tell I said a big Hello!!!!

[@1drummer2]

Brilliant !! Loved this and all those nuggets of information. Book ordered for Xmas 👍🙏🏻

[@MrRezRising]

Jake: Love your work. You once broke down how you recorded a sports intro and said, "It _has_ to sound like an album." Best advice is the simplest, said well. JR: Holy crap what a career! Not like you need me to say it. I still have your MD issue from the 80s. That opening sequence with your album covers - so many albums - all over the screen is chilling. That's legendary. If I could share, I'm not a professional drummer anymore. I never really made a living at it, I was just that guy you called who could deliver a good drum track. Guys like you, JR, the studio guys were Gods to me and my friends. You, Simon, Gadd, and Vinnie were our heroes. Thanks for everything. Last thing: No one ever taught me what "playing ahead or behind the beat" was. No one could describe it in a way that made sense on how to create it. Most of us had to figure it out ourselves, and all I had was, "Zeppelin is behind the beat. Punk is ahead of the beat. Neil Peart plays ON the beat." Your description (paraphrasing) of "It's playing a few milliseconds before the beat vs a few after the beat" is the only time in forty years that I heard what I do actually spoken aloud. Ive never been sure I was correct. I was never sure if ppl actually heard what I was attempting. Still got paid, so that should have been a sign. It was refreshing and validating to hear it from you. Ok, enough fawning. You guys f*ckin' ROCK! Thanks for everything from both of you.

[@cesarevalbusa8323]

Thanks !! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@PAULSTUARTMAY]

So insightful. Thank you

[@jwagy]

Great video, and interview guys! And fun playing! 🥁👍🏼 Go CHIEFS ‼️

[@earldrum]

Great interview Jake! You really got JR to open up and talk about some really interesting unexplored topics and dug in deeper on some of the stories we already know! Thank you! 👍🏻🥁

[@markcrisp4867]

I have Jeff Pocaros book it’s about time & haven’t read the whole book yet , but lord willing I will & JRs book still have to get but love his groove 💯🎼🥁🎄⛄️🧑🏾‍🎄

[@curtiskelley1318]

Amazing Jake, such insane stories and grooves and wisdom

[@Khempejjer]

I've seen him live once, he's phenomenal. Great content :)

[@alexanderednie1205]

These interviews are excellent!!! Lots of cool stories and teachable moments. A+ Bacardi and Coke. Do it.

[@Barryrobin]

«All Or Nothing At All» - Al Jarreau, beautiful drumming!!!!

[@misteurpierre7214]

Fantastic insight. THX

[@pskeith333]

Hey Jake, you're an JR too! Great insights and def gonna pick up that book now!

[@jdubhman]

lovin those cross stick ghost notes

[@jazzban]

So rad. Radíssimo.

[@WiljoOnAI]

This was fantastic! Thanks.

[@martinlawrence8427]

Awesome!

[@joachimvogel586]

JR ist ein sehr symphatischer Mensch. Er ist für mich ein gutes Beispiel dafür, daß Musikalität, Disziplin und menschliche Qualitäten wesentlicher Bestandteile für den Erfolg eines Musikers sind.

[@gadymarcus2362]

Bello/Magnifico.🙏✡️✡️✡️✡️✡️✡️👑

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

That very last tom thing y'all did was borrowed from Osibisa; saw them play it live early 70's, Winterland, S.F. Saw you(?) with Rufus, @ Theatre in the Round, revolving stage, San Carlos, Bay Area, 76 or 77, when "Once You Get Started" was big on Radio. No bad seats; about 20 ft.away when on our side!

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

...Music, Sound was Great!

[@SandroBonato]

Thank you so much for this.

[@drumdiscussion7776]

Man ,Jake your the most intriguing drummer in the universe❤

[@kamks6054]

The legendary JR

[@stevevorass]

Love this series Jake!

[@petergranquist7477]

Jake this is so so good. Thank you! I’m curious- what were some of your biggest takeaways from this convo?

[@backatya-bi8rx]

Awesome!!

[@BasicDrumming]

Great video.

[@dmdrum101]

LEGEND!

[@DanielKomarek]

15:00 holy schmokes!

[@JonDoe-xt7lh]

Love the part about the late Jeff Porcaro rest in peace ✝️

[@chrismartindrummer]

More gold!! The “aight” at 30:41 😂

[@ernestlmorellsr]

Man, it's like 1963,73,83,93 and on into infinity , I have seen that name on whoever records, and I am happy to discover he is a soulful blue eye brother, huh, that blew my mind.

[@zvenx]

Of all the Wonderful things he has done, whenever I hear his name or think of him, first thought is always Ain't Nobody (especially his Kick pattern on it) ...

[@BeatKasterG]

FYI: the other drummer mentioned who also has a reputation for being excellent with the click is Matt "The Loop" Chamberlain.

[@WhyTheHorseface]

One of those records you show @0:40 that most people haven’t heard that is exceptional is “Leap of Faith” by Kenny Loggins. The Dawn of the 90’s saw the release of hundreds of incredible records, and that is one.

[@lawrenceyolles9541]

awesome!

[@andrewjacobs3731]

Tremendous! Love it, thanks Jake, Jr is one of the greats. As a side note, in the uk that end beat is one of the forbidden riffs due to the artist in question… 😬

[@luisfernando-mm3jt]

Nice work

[@Odetoayellerhonda]

In case Mr. Robinson should see these comments: please get your book on Audible as a book on tape! "A friend" would like to buy it there....

[@vince8ravary]

incredible video - thank you so much for that. The only thing.. what is going on with youtube ?? there is an AD every 2 minutes !?!

[@alexgarza4513]

Charlie didnt actually play the cowbell on honky tonk women! It was the producer, jimmy miller. And apparently he came in at the wrong time accidentally, which created that awesome funky opening fill.

[@greazywil]

Drummer on drummer is amazing

[@DRUMAWAYEMAN]

Sick.

[@mellotronin54]

Legend. I first him on Larry Carlton albums , Probably Live in Japan.

[@markstringfellow2981]

Higher Love

[@offbeat74]

Higher love (Winwood) cause that intro..... how in the name of .. do you come up with such an intro ??? Thanks for this one!! Do you go through JR's targeted drummers list? Next Steve Gadd??😉

[@torocruz1192]

Jeeez the God!!!!

[@jeannadeau5084]

Let JR Talk. PLEASE !!!!!!

[@brianlaughlin8974]

Nice discussion. (Holy ads. One more Target Willie Wonka song jingle and my laptop was gonna to flying out the window.)