By Kenny Aronoff
On May 24th, 2017
Kenny Aronoff behind his drum kit: The drummer for John Mellencamp who created the iconic beat for "Jack & Diane"The distinctive drumbeat of John Mellencamp’s “Jack & Diane” is instantly recognizable, a cornerstone of the song’s enduring appeal. But the creation of this iconic drum part wasn’t straightforward. In this article, legendary drummer Kenny Aronoff, featured in the documentary Hired Gun, recounts the journey of crafting one of his most famous tracks, revealing the experimentation and collaboration that led to the unforgettable rhythm of the “Jack And Diane Song”.
John Mellencamp’s songwriting process often began with a simple acoustic guitar demo or a basic cassette recording. For Aronoff, the challenge was to transform these raw song ideas into something special, something that would grab listeners and elevate the music to hit status. Mellencamp himself emphasized the importance of drums as a hook, a driving force that would make his songs irresistible on the radio. The initial approach to “Jack & Diane” was, in Aronoff’s words, “obvious,” but it lacked the spark to make the song truly exceptional.
The initial drum beat Aronoff conceived was a standard rock rhythm: accented eighth notes on the hi-hat, a cross-stick snare on beats 2 and 4 (later evolving into a solid backbeat), and bass drum hits on 1, the “ah” of 1, and the “&” of 2. While this provided a solid foundation for the intro, verse, and chorus, it became clear that this basic groove wouldn’t sustain the entire song. To maintain listener engagement and propel “Jack and Diane song” to its full potential, the band needed to explore new rhythmic territories and arrangement ideas. The mantra in rehearsals became: if it doesn’t sound great here, it will sound worse in the studio, where every nuance is amplified. Recognizing the need for innovation, the band knew they had to develop unique parts to make “Jack & Diane” stand out and secure its place on the record.
During the recording of the American Fool album at Criteria Studios in Miami, an unexpected element entered the picture: the Linn 1 drum machine. The Bee Gees, recording in the adjacent studio, were experimenting with programmed beats, a sound that was then considered unconventional for rock music. Producer Don Gehman, inspired by this experimentation, brought a Linn 1 into Mellencamp’s session. Aronoff’s initial reaction was apprehension, a fear that a drum machine might replace his live drumming. However, Mellencamp’s priority was clear: to create a hit song.
Aronoff quickly adapted, embracing the new technology. He programmed the Linn 1 with the drum beat he had been playing live, utilizing the machine’s floor tom sound for the kick drum part and its tambourine sound in place of the hi-hat. Handclaps were programmed to replicate the snare backbeats. Crucially, each sound from the Linn 1 was routed to a separate track on the 24-track tape, offering maximum flexibility in the mix. This experimentation with the drum machine became a pivotal moment in shaping the sound of “Jack and Diane song”, adding a unique texture that differentiated it from typical rock ballads.
Just as Aronoff was stepping away from the studio for a break, Mellencamp called him back with a surprising request: a drum solo after the second chorus. A drum solo in a ballad was an unconventional idea, and Aronoff initially questioned how it could work. The band dedicated an entire day to perfecting the drum sound in the studio’s large room, opting for a huge, resonant sound, inspired by Phil Collins’ iconic drum sound on “In the Air Tonight,” a departure from the typical controlled drum sounds of the era and aiming for a powerful impact for the “Jack and Diane song”.
Facing the daunting task of creating a drum solo for a ballad, Aronoff decided to keep it simple yet impactful. His initial idea was a rhythmic pattern on the kick and snare, landing on “&” of 4. While the control room engineers gave positive feedback, Mellencamp remained unconvinced. Suggestions from others in the control room only added to the confusion. Aronoff felt the pressure. He knew that if he couldn’t deliver a compelling part, Mellencamp might bring in another drummer. The stakes were high.
In a moment of creative pressure, walking back to his drum kit, the solution struck Aronoff. He conceived the idea of shifting his original rhythmic pattern by an eighth note, starting on the “&” of 1 instead of beat 1. He then decided to ascend the toms, a departure from the typical descending tom fills. As he executed this idea, Mellencamp immediately responded positively, urging Aronoff to add a cymbal crash. From there, Aronoff transitioned into a fill inspired by Phil Collins, descending the toms and concluding with quarter-note triplets on the snare, rack tom, and floor tom. This spontaneous burst of creativity resulted in the distinctive and memorable drum solo that became integral to “Jack and Diane song”.
Following the drum solo, it was time to lock into a groove. Aronoff returned to the song’s original feel, injecting more power and incorporating sixteenth notes on the hi-hat. On beat 4, he created a powerful “explosion” by hitting the snare and floor tom simultaneously, an idea inspired by Steve Gadd’s Mozambique beat. A debate ensued with Mellencamp about whether to maintain the hi-hat throughout this section. Aronoff ultimately decided to play sixteenth notes on beats 3 “e” “&” “ah,” building dynamically from soft to loud, creating tension and excitement leading into the beat 4 snare and floor tom hit. Adding another layer to the song’s arrangement, Mick Ronson, David Bowie’s guitarist who was in the studio, suggested the idea of singing the chorus a cappella over Aronoff’s drum groove, a decision that further amplified the song’s unique character.
“Jack & Diane” not only reached number 1 on the charts but also propelled the American Fool album to the top spot. Thirty-five years later, the song remains a radio staple, a testament to its enduring appeal. For Kenny Aronoff, “Jack & Diane song” was a career-defining moment, his “big break.” The album’s success, including two Grammy Awards and millions of records sold, cemented the song’s legacy and Aronoff’s place in music history, forever linked to the iconic drumbeat of “Jack & Diane.”
