John “J.R.” Robinson got started early in music.

John was born in Creston, Iowa, on Dec. 29, 1954. His parents, Dr. Jack Robinson (an optometrist) and Helen Sloan Robinson, encouraged his musical talents, starting him on piano at age 5 and the drums when he was 8. By the age of 10, John had already started his first band.

After attending many music camps throughout junior high and high school, Robinson enrolled at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston.

While touring with his own band in early 1978, Robinson got his first big break. Rufus and Chaka Khan came to a club where Robinson’s group was playing, and by the third set, Rufus was sitting in with the band. Within weeks, Robinson had moved to Los Angeles to play the drums for the remainder of the 1978 Rufus world tour.

Later that year, Robinson was introduced to the noted producer and artist Quincy Jones. Robinson soon became a hot commodity as a session musician, playing on “Off The Wall” for Michael Jackson on his way to becoming, it is said, “the most recorded drummer in history.” Robinson has handled the percussion work on the studio recordings of such hits as “We Are the World;” Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long;” “I’m So Excited and “Slow Hand” by the Pointer Sisters; David Lee Roth’s solo hits “Just a Gigolo” and “California Girls;” Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” and “Back in the High Life;” Madonna’s hit “Express Yourself;” Eric Clapton’s “Change the World;” and Ray Charles’ “Genius Loves Company.”

Robinson was on the drums for Rufus and Chaka Khan on 1983’s “Ain’t Nobody” which was awarded a Grammy. He’s been the drummer of choice for Quincy Jones since 1979, and for Barbara Streisand since 1993.

His work also has appeared on countless motion pictures, from “My Cousin Vinny” and “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut” and “Team America, World Police” to “That Thing You Do,” “Jerry McGuire” and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.”

Robinson has two signature-series snare drums offered by Yamaha. He maintains a recording studio in Thousand Oaks, Calif., and has released a solo CD entitled “Funkshui.”