Born in Creston, Iowa on December 29, 1954, John's parents love for music had a strong effect on John. He started on piano at the age of 5 and on drums at the age of 8. John turned pro when he started his first band at the young age of 10.

After attending many music camps throughout junior and senior high school, John chose to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston. At Berklee, John was introduced to a whole world variety of culture through music.

While touring with his own band in early 1978, John got his break. Rufus and Chaka Khan came into the club where John was playing and by the third set, the band Rufus was sitting in with John! Within a few weeks later, John had moved to Los Angeles to finish the 1978 Rufus world tour!

In late 1978, John was introduced to Quincy Jones. Q asked John if he did sessions outside Rufus. Of course he said yes and John was in the studio recording Off The Wall for Michael Jackson. Ever since that record, John's phone has been ringing off the wall! John has become the most recorded drummer in history, even surpassing the great Hal Blaine. Some of the hits include. We Are The World, All Night Long by Lionel Richie, I'm So Excited and Slow Hand by the Pointer Sisters, I'm Just A Gigolo and California Girls by David Lee Roth, Higher Love and Back In The Highlife by Steve Winwood, Express Yourself by Madonna, Off The Wall and Bad. Of course in the 1983 John won a Grammy with Rufus and Chaka Khan for Aint Nobody.

John has been the drummer for Quincy Jones since 1979 and the drummer for Barbra a Streisand since 1993. He also was the drummer for Peter Frampton recording the live CD, Frampton Comes Alive 2.

John has released a solo CD and produced several projects. He maintains a recording studio in Thousand Oaks, CA.

John will continue to add his magic on many hits to come with his recognized sound employing great tome and a great groove.