John Barbata

John Barbata (b. April 1, 1945) is an American drummer, born in Passaic, New Jersey, active especially in pop and pop/rock bands in the 1960s and 1970s, both as a band member and as a session drummer.

Biography

Already an established session drummer when he joined The Turtles, Barbata was one of the pioneering drummers who converted pop music rhythms from the down-beat rhythms of the 1950s to the off-beat rhythms that have dominated ever since.

His most famous band memberships have been:

• The Sentinals
• The Turtles
• Jefferson Airplane
• Jefferson Starship
• Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Other notable collaborations include:

• With The Strangers guitarist Joel Scott Hill and bassist Bob Mosley
• With other Jefferson Airplane members as session musicians on ex-member Grace Slick's album Manhole.
• Session musician for
  • Eric Clapton
  • Leon Russell
  • Dave Mason
  • ...and others, with over 60 albums to his "uncredited" credit.

External links

• Johny Barbata's official website
• 2005 Johny Barbata interview with Jon Niccum