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Jonathan Phillip Moffett (born November 17, 1954) is an American drummer, songwriter and record producer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Jonathan Moffett eltonjohn.com Beginning in 1979, Moffett collaborated with the Jackson family, particularly Michael Jackson, over the course of 30 years. More recently, he has worked with other notable artists and producers such as Madonna, George Michael, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones and many others.
He initially wanted to play the bass guitar long before drums. He was always acutely aware of the bass guitar parts in songs and mimicked them on the bass drum. Moffett was never musically trained and learned to play drums on his own by ear. He was nicknamed " Sugarfoot" for his quick, articulate, and pronounced bass drum work, which requires a lot of precision and stamina for a drummer. He plays Sixteenth note, 32nd note, and 64th note figures energetically and fluidly within . Moffett started off his drumming career by performing locally with prominent bands within the region and at nightclubs as a young boy.
He came up with his kung-fu inspired signature moves during a marathon practice session late one evening—the "one-handed cymbal catch" and his "backlash-whiplash" cymbal crashes (single and/or double hand) where he places two cymbals behind him and crashes/chokes them without looking.
His first major tour was the Destiny Tour (1979–1980). After his first show with the group, Michael Jackson was in awe by Moffett's ability to keep up with his dancing, always accenting his dance moves, which gave his dancing more power and prominence. He also used his "one-handed cymbal catch" frequently, in which Moffett explained to Zildjian:
He proceeded to perform on the Triumph Tour in 1981, which Rolling Stone later named as one of the best 25 tours of 1967 to 1987. Epic Records decided to have one of the shows from the tour recorded due to its immense popularity and success. Moffett also drummed around the United States and Canada for the record-breaking and famous Victory Tour (1984), where he met Madonna backstage who asked him to drum for her upcoming Virgin Tour (1985). The Victory Tour promoted Michael Jackson's albums Off the Wall (1979) and Thriller (1982) and was promoted by Don King. Moffett performed with Eddie Van Halen, who made a few special appearances on some of the shows playing "Beat It" on guitar. Prince complimented Moffett after many shows with the Jacksons (and did the same seeing him live with other artists). He'd nod his head, smile, and say, "That was bad, you're bad." When Moffett turned professional, he designed innovative futuristic drum kits for every tour to complement the stage design. His work with the Jacksons and unique drumming style led him to become one of the most in-demand pop music drummers and perform on 23 world tours.
Moffett was present during the infamous PepsiCo commercial shoot in 1984 when Jackson suffered from second-degree burns from the blazing pyrotechnics. He noticed the flames on Jackson's hair at one point during the shoot and dropped his drum sticks and ran to help him just as some crew members did the same. He is credited for live drumming on The Jacksons Live! album (1981), which was RIAA-certified Gold. The double-disc album contains recordings of songs performed throughout the Triumph Tour. He also later recorded on the Jacksons' albums Victory (1984) and 2300 Jackson Street (1989).
Moffett also recorded on three Madonna albums with producer Patrick Leonard— True Blue (1986), Like a Prayer (1989), and I'm Breathless (1990). He recorded drums, percussion, and background vocals on all three albums. He performed with the pop star at Live Aid in 1985, performing songs such as "Holiday", "Into the Groove" and "Love Makes the World Go Round" with guest stars Nile Rodgers, Tom Bailey and Alannah Currie, and the Thompson Twins.
Michael called Moffett to tour with him on his Cover to Cover tour (1991). Totaling 29 shows, the tour took place in the United Kingdom, Brazil, Japan, Canada and the United States. Moffett also performed with Michael at the Rock in Rio II festival, which is a recurring music festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
He toured with Janet Jackson during the first leg of her janet. World Tour (1993–1995). The tour took place throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Moffett drummed for the shows, which took place on September 7 and 10, 2001. The concerts aired as a two-hour television special on CBS, honoring Jackson's thirtieth year as a solo artist. The television special included footage from both shows. Moffett drummed with the rest of the band on the balcony right above the performers. Some of the guests and performers included Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, Macaulay Culkin, Slash, Liza Minnelli, Destiny's Child, Britney Spears, Gloria Estefan, Ray Charles, Chris Tucker, Usher and more. Jackson asked Moffett to collaborate on a song he wrote for Diana Ross titled "Muscles". Moffett played both drums and percussion on the track. The song was named after Jackson's pet snake and released in 1982. It was an instant hit and reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Moffett was supposed to perform on Jackson's This Is It concerts (2009–2010), rehearsing for months. The concerts were cancelled following Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, eighteen days before the first slated performance. He was featured in Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009) documentary motion picture film alongside many other , shows, and documentaries. This Is It worldwide gross revenue was $261 million, making it the highest-grossing concert film of all time. There are snippets of him drumming throughout the documentary as well as discussing the concert series that never came to be and his history with Jackson.
Though Moffett was known as "Sugarfoot" to the rest of the world, Jackson cut his stage name short and called him "Foot" instead. Moffett was Jackson's live drummer of choice from the beginning when he first started drumming with the Jacksons. Jackson always called him first for each tour and show, even when he was under contract with other artists. The two collaborated over the course of 30 years starting in 1979 to 2009 with a total of four tours together; This Is It would have been the fifth. Aside from working with Jackson, he was friends with him and hung out at the Jackson Estate (Hayvenhurst home) with the family (including Jackson family matriarch, Katherine Jackson, who he considers his "second mother") and one-on-one with Jackson at Neverland Ranch and his other homes. The two had drawing contests on the road when touring and Jackson sent him birthday and Greeting card when they were not together. Moffett was with Jackson the night before he died until 1 AM.
Moffett performed at the Staples Center during the Michael Jackson memorial service. Following Michael Jackson's passing, Moffett drummed around the world honoring the pop star with Cirque du Soleil's (2011–2014). The tour is listed as one of the top-grossing tours of all time with a gross revenue of $360 million, totaling 501 shows at 157 venues in 28 countries worldwide. Moffett also performed at the Australian Music Show (AIMS) and hosted a drum clinic in which he performed ten Michael Jackson songs that were supposed to be performed during This Is It. Moffett was featured in Spike Lee's 2016 Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall documentary, which was Lee's second documentary on Michael Jackson since Bad 25 (2012). The documentary was released with the reissue of the Off the Wall (1979) album. Moffett spoke of his initial audition with the Jacksons and early days with Jackson and the group.
| 2017 | Madonna 6 Concert DVD Set | Musician | Drummer |
| 2016 | Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall | Himself | Speaker |
| 2011 | (re-released also on Blu-ray) | Musician | Drummer |
| 2009 | Michael Jackson's This Is It | Musician | Drummer |
| 2009 | Musician | Drummer | |
| 2003 | Madonna Who's That Girl – Live in Japan (re-released) | Musician | Drummer |
| 1997 | Michael Jackson HIStory Tour – Live in Munich '97 | Musician | Drummer |
| 1991 | Musician | Drummer | |
| 1990 | Musician | Drummer | |
| 1988 | Coming to America | Musician | Songwriter |
| 1988 | Musician | Drummer | |
| 1985 | (re-released also on Blu-ray) | Musician | Drummer |
| 2009 | Christmas Again | Self | Songwriter, arranger, background vocals, drum overdubs, producer |
| 2008 | Original Album Classics | The Jackson 5 | Main personnel |
| 2004 | The Essential Jacksons | The Jacksons | Drums |
| 2003 | Universo Fortis | Alberto Fortis | Musician |
| 2002 | Something Beautiful | Color Theory | Drums, percussion |
| 2000 | Come Play with Me | Amanda Shelby | Drums |
| 2000 | Sexy Sweet Thing | Cameo | Vocals (background) |
| 2001 | Victory/Triumph (Reissue) | The Jacksons | Drums |
| 1999 | Three for One Box Set | Madonna | Drums, percussion |
| 1999 | Rewind | Vasco Rossi | Drums |
| 1998 | Star Kid (Soundtrack) | Nicholas Pike | Drums |
| 1997 | Flesh and Bone | Richard Marx | Drums |
| 1996 | Don't Be Scared by These Hands | Fee Waybill | Drums |
| 1996 | Kissing Rain | Roch Voisine | Drums |
| 1996 | The Real Deal | Edgar Winter | Drums |
| 1994 | Paid Vacation | Richard Marx | Drums |
| 1993 | Pretty Vultures | Ten Inch Men | Drums |
| 1993 | Duets | Elton John | Drums |
| 1993 | Five Live | George Michael | Drums |
| 1992 | Nerve Net | Brian Eno | Drums |
| 1992 | The Complete Collection and Then Some... | Barry Manilow | Drums |
| 1991 | Rush Street | Richard Marx | Drums |
| 1990 | To Be Continued... (box set) | Elton John | Drums |
| Drums, percussion | |||
| Live drums | |||
| 1990 | The Immaculate Collection | Madonna | Drums, percussion |
| 1989 | Animotion (Room to Move) | Animotion | Drums |
| 1989 | Mr. Jordan | Julian Lennon | Drums |
| 1989 | 2300 Jackson Street | The Jacksons | Drums |
| 1989 | Sleeping with the Past | Elton John | Drums |
| Drums, percussion | |||
| 1989 | The CBS Collection (5xCD) | The Jacksons | Drums |
| 1989 | The Jacksons LP | The Jacksons | Drums |
| 1988 | Hope for the Runaway | Kenny Loggins | Drums |
| 1988 | This Is Serious | Marilyn Martin | Drums |
| 1988 | La Cocina Caliente | Luis Conte | Drums |
| 1988 | Forever | Chapter 8 | Drums |
| 1988 | Coming to America | Soundtrack | Songwriter, arranger, background vocals, drum overdubs, producer |
| 1988 | One More Story | Peter Cetera | Drums |
| 1988 | Us | Nick Kamen | Drums |
| Live drums | |||
| 1987 | Timothy B. | Timothy B. Schmit (Eagles) | Percussion, cymbals |
| Drums, percussion | |||
| 1984 | Madonna | Drums | |
| 1984 | Dream Street | Janet Jackson | Drums |
| 1984 | Jermaine Jackson | Jermaine Jackson | Drums |
| 1984 | Victory | The Jacksons | Drums |
| 1983 | Standing on the One | Job Gibson | Drums |
| 1982 | Diana's Duets | Diana Ross | Drums |
| 1982 | Heartbeats | Yarbrough and Peoples | Drums |
| 1982 | Silk Electric | Diana Ross | Drums |
| Live drums | |||
| 1980 | The Two of Us | Yarbrough and Peoples | Drums |
| 2018 | "Thriller" (instrumental) for Netflix documentary Quincy | Quincy Jones | Drums |
| 2009 | "Flame" | Self | Songwriter, arranger, background vocals, drum overdubs, producer |
| 2009 | "In Our Country" | Self | Songwriter, arranger, background vocals, drum overdubs, producer |
| 2009 | "To Be Free" | Self | Songwriter, arranger, background vocals, drum overdubs, producer |
| 2004 | "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" – live in 1981, from The Essential Jacksons | The Jacksons | Live drums |
| 1999 | "La Fine Del Millennio" | Vasco Rossi | Drums |
| 1997 | "Still a Thrill" | Sybil | Drums |
| 1995 | "Words Without Meaning" | 3T | Drums |
| 1992 | "Fractal Zoom" | Brian Eno | Drums |
| 1993 | "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" | George Michael | Drums |
| 1993 | "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" | Elton John & George Michael | Live drums |
| 1987 | "Hold Me in Your Heart" | Timothy B. Schmit (Eagles) | Cymbals |
| 1987 | "A Better Day Is Coming" | Timothy B. Schmit (Eagles) | Percussion |
| Songwriter, arranger, background vocals, drum overdubs, producer | |||
| Drums, percussion, written by Michael Jackson | |||
| Written by Jonathan Moffett & Tito Jackson | |||
| Drums |
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