Narada Michael Walden

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Narada Michael Walden
Walden performing in 2011
Background information
Birth name	Michael Walden
Born	(1952-04-23) April 23, 1952 (age 69) Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.[1]
Genres	Rock, R&B, pop, jazz fusion
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter, record producer
Instruments	Drums, keyboards, bass, vocals
Years active	1971–present
Labels	Atlantic, Warner Bros., Tarpan
Associated acts	Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report, Jeff Beck, Journey
Website	naradamichaelwalden.com

Narada Michael Walden (/ˈnɑːrədə/ NAH-rə-də; Michael Walden; born April 23, 1952)^[1] is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He acquired the nickname Narada from Sri Chinmoy.^[2] In 2020, he became the drummer for Journey, replacing Steve Smith. In 2021, he became one of two drummers in the band alongside the returning Deen Castronovo.

Biography[]

Walden was a member of rock bands in Miami, Florida, after he graduated from college. Atlantic released his first album, Garden of Love Light, in 1977 with a single that reached the R&B chart. This was followed by I Cry I Smile and The Awakening. The latter album reached No. 15 on the R&B chart. His singles continued to be popular in R&B during the 1980s. These included a duet with Patti Austin and an appearance on the soundtrack for the movie Bright Lights, Big City.^[2]

He built his studio in 1985^[2] and produced music for The Temptations, Stacy Lattisaw, Aretha Franklin, Angela Bofill, Lisa Fischer, Sister Sledge, Herbie Hancock, Patti Austin, Whitney Houston, Clarence Clemons, George Benson, Sheena Easton, Kenny G, Lionel Richie, Al Jarreau, and Mariah Carey.^[3]

Walden has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards, winning three:^[4] Best R&B Song for "Freeway of Love" (1985);^[5] Producer of the Year, Non-Classical (1987);^[6] and Album of the Year for The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album (1993).

Discography[]

Albums[]

• Garden of Love Light (Atlantic, 1976)
• I Cry, I Smile (Atlantic, 1977)
• Awakening (Atlantic, 1979)
• The Dance of Life (Atlantic, 1979)
• Victory (Atlantic, 1980)
• Confidence (Atlantic, 1982)
• Looking at You, Looking at Me (Atlantic, 1983)
• The Nature of Things (Warner Bros., 1985)
• Divine Emotion (Reprise, 1988)
• Sending Love to Everyone (EMI, 1995)
• Thunder 2013 (Tarpan, 2013)
• Evolution (Tarpan, 2015)

Singles[]

Soundtracks[]

• Perfect
• Licence to Kill
• The Bodyguard
• Jason's Lyric
• 9½ Weeks
• Crooklyn
• Free Willy
• Mannequin
• The Associate
• Now and Again
• Innerspace
• Bright Lights, Big City

Other collaborations[]

As drummer[]

• Mahavishnu Orchestra – Apocalypse (1974), Visions of the Emerald Beyond (1975), Inner Worlds (1976)
• Tommy Bolin – "Marching Powder" on Teaser (1975)
• Chick Corea – My Spanish Heart (1976)
• Jeff Beck – Wired (1976)
• Journey - (2020–Present)
• Alphonso Johnson – Moonshadows (1976)
• Nova – Vimana (1976)
• Allan Holdsworth – Velvet Darkness (1976)
• Jaco Pastorius – "Come On, Come Over" on Jaco Pastorius (1976)
• Weather Report – "Black Market" and "Cannon Ball" on Black Market (1976)
• James Mason – Rhythm Of Life (1977)
• John McLaughlin – Johnny McLaughlin: Electric Guitarist (1978)
• Robert Fripp – "Breathless", "NY3", "I've Had Enough of You" on Exposure (1979)
• Carlos Santana – Oneness: Silver Dreams – Golden Reality (1979)

As producer[]

• Regina Belle – "Baby Come to Me"
• George Benson – "Kisses in the Moonlight" and "While the City Sleeps" (1986)
• Angela Bofill – "Too Tough", "Tonight I Give In", "I'm on Your Side"
• Tevin Campbell – "Tell Me What You Want Me to Do"
• Lisa Fischer - "How Can I Ease the Pain"
• Carl Carlton – "The Bad CC"
• Mariah Carey – "Vision of Love", "I Don't Wanna Cry"
• Ray Charles – Genius & Friends (2005)
• Clarence Clemons – Hero (1985)
• Natalie Cole – "I Do" (1989)
• Sheena Easton – "So Far, So Good" from About Last Night, No Sound But a Heart and My Cherie
• Brian Evans – "At Fenway"
• Aretha Franklin – Who's Zoomin' Who? (1985), Aretha (1986), Through the Storm (1989), "Everyday People" (1991), A Rose Is Still a Rose (1998)
• Michelle Gayle – "Sweetness", "Freedom", "Happy Just to Be with You", "Baby Don't Go", "All Night Long"
• Al Green – "Your Heart's in Good Hands"
• Taral Hicks – "Whoopty Whoop", "Don't Let the Feelin' Go Away", "I Wish You Were Here"
• Whitney Houston – "One Moment in Time" (1988), "How Will I Know" (1985), Whitney (1987), I'm Your Baby Tonight (1990), "I'm Every Woman" (1992)
• Al Jarreau – Heaven and Earth (1992)
• Elton John & Kiki Dee – "True Love" (1993)
• Gladys Knight – "Licence to Kill" (1989)
• Patti LaBelle - "Still in Love" (1989)
• Stacy Lattisaw – Let Me Be Your Angel, With You, Sneakin' Out, Sixteen and Perfect Combination.
• LaToya London – "Every Part of Me", "Learn to Breathe" and "State of My Heart"
• Luba – "How Many"
• Milira – "One Man Woman (1992)"
• Eddie Murphy – "Put Your Mouth on Me" and "Till the Money's Gone" from So Happy (1989)
• Don Novello and Cat McLean – "Everyone Is Free to Wear Camouflage"
• Yōko Oginome - Verge of Love (1988)
• Mica Paris - "Whisper a Prayer" (1993)
• Pointer Sisters – "Be There" (1987)
• Diana Ross – Take Me Higher (1995)
• Sister Sledge – All American Girls
• Jermaine Stewart – "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off" (1986)
• Starship - "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" (1987)
• The Temptations – Awesome (2001)
• Shanice Wilson – "I Love Your Smile", "I Hate to Be Lonely", "Love Is the Gift"
• Steve Winwood – Junction Seven (1997)
• Pia Zadora – "Pia Z"

References[]

External links[]

• Official website
• Narada Walden Interview NAMM Oral History Library (1986)