Jonathan Moffett

“Beat It” on the “HIStory” World Tour (1996–1997)….82 shows around the world….stadiums packed every night. This is drum cam footage from my personal archives….Michael actually gave me special permission to film this, which makes it even more meaningful looking back. “Beat It” was always one of my favorite songs to perform live with Michael….the energy, the excitement, the way the band locked in, and the way Michael fed off that groove every single night….it never got old. Pure adrenaline….pure connection….just the music, the band, and that moment on stage together.

FREAK by #YSEULT - coming soon to all streaming platforms! #michaeljackson #newjackswing #janetjackson

There’s so much negativity everywhere these days….what we scroll, what we watch, what we hear. I just want to send some love and positivity to each and every one of you. Don’t let the noise bring you down….protect your energy, keep your heart open, and focus on the light. Smile through it….it matters more than you think…….

This is my drum setup inside the same legendary space where Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” was created. I had the honor of serving as Michael’s live touring drummer for over 30 years, bringing that music to life on stages around the world. The last time I recorded here was in 2018 with Quincy Jones for his Netflix documentary.

Back inside the walls of Westlake Studios….where “Thriller” was recorded and so much history lives. Tracking drums for “Freak” with Yseult! That deep new jack swing groove I’ve lived in for years. Teddy Riley energy….early 90s Janet Jackson feel….pure pocket. This music is in my DNA, so sessions like this always feel like home. Excited for you to hear what we’ve been cooking!! #yseult #freak

Grateful for every single person who took the time to come say hello…that truly means everything to me.

I met an adorable five-year-old drummer named Milo at NAMM…such a special moment for me ❤️

Crossing paths with Mike Terrana and sharing one of those moments that feels familiar right away. Big hugs, big smiles, and that unspoken connection musicians understand. Always great seeing old friends and feeling the respect.

Trying out some of the new Turkish Cymbals!

One of those moments you don’t plan for….running into my nephew Ronald Bruner Jr. Always good catching up and sharing a few laughs together. #drummers #drumfam

Love seeing younger artists keeping Michael’s music alive. Brandon isn’t trying to be MJ…but you can definitely hear the influence and the emotion. That spirit still moves people, and that’s a beautiful thing.

In 1997, during the HIStory Tour, Michael Jackson gave me something he never allowed any other musician onstage to do…he trusted me to run a drum cam during the show. This clip is the final sequence of Billie Jean…you’re seeing it from two angles at once…the front-of-stage broadcast cameras and my personal drum cam.

These are the actual sticks I used during the “This Is It” rehearsals….I held onto them quietly for years….they’re a small piece of a very profound chapter in my life and career….handled with care, respect, and gratitude…. A few people have asked about the sticks….they’re available here if you’d like to own one….only a few left! www.moffettstore.com 15% off with code: sugarfoot15

Fun time….

With my double tipped “SweetBeats Sticks” in my hands, it feels like I’m holding two paintbrushes made for a whole palette of sound….with ease I can hit every cymbal and create melodies out of them, choke them, flip the sticks and move between one large tip and one smaller tip on each stick to create various textures….showmanship becomes natural instead of forced and the groove of “Billie Jean” can breathe while the cymbals sing like a choir under my fingertips….these two tips let me sculpt an array of tones….that’s why Sweet Beats fits my world and makes even the powerful drum solo moments feel effortless and cinematic….