Narada Michael Walden facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Narada Michael Walden
Walden performing with Jeff Beck in 2011
Background information
Birth name	Michael Walden
Born	(1952-04-23) April 23, 1952 (age 73) Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.
Genres	Rock R&B pop jazz fusion
Occupation(s)	Musician songwriter record producer
Instruments	Drums keyboards vocals
Years active	1971–present
Labels	Atlantic, Reprise/Warner Bros., Tarpan

Narada Michael Walden (born April 23, 1952) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is known for his work in different music styles like rock, R&B, pop, and jazz. He got the name "Narada" from Sri Chinmoy, a spiritual teacher.

Narada started his music journey as a drummer, playing mostly jazz fusion music. He performed with famous musicians and bands such as John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Chick Corea, Jaco Pastorius, Jeff Beck, Wayne Shorter and Weather Report, and Allan Holdsworth.

Later, he was mentored by Quincy Jones, a legendary music producer. This helped him become a successful songwriter and producer himself. In the 1980s and 1990s, he worked with many popular R&B artists like Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, and Stacy Lattisaw. He also worked with singers from other music styles.

In 2020, Narada became the drummer for the famous rock band Journey. He played on their album Freedom (2022) and also helped produce it. He left the band in 2022.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Narada Michael Walden was born in Plainwell, Michigan. He went to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, from 1970 to 1972.

After college, Walden played with rock bands in Miami. From 1974 to 1976, he was a drummer and singer for the Mahavishnu Orchestra. His first album, Garden of Love Light, was released by Atlantic in 1977. He continued to release albums like I Cry I Smile and The Awakening, which became popular on the R&B music charts. His songs were very popular in R&B throughout the 1980s.

Producing Hit Songs

In 1985, Narada built his own music studio. From there, he produced music for many legendary artists. Some of these include The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie, and George Benson. He helped create many hit songs for these artists.

Narada Michael Walden has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards, which are very important music awards. He has won three of them:

• Best R&B Song for "Freeway of Love" (1985).
• Producer of the Year, Non-Classical (1987).
• Album of the Year for The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album (1993).

Family Life

In 2013, Narada married Katie Mersereau in San Rafael, California. They have two daughters, Kelly and Kayla, and a son named Michael. Katie also helped with Narada's 2015 album Evolution, singing backing vocals and writing one song.

Music Albums

Here are some of the albums Narada Michael Walden has released:

Popular Singles

Here are some of the popular songs Narada Michael Walden has released:

Movie Soundtracks

Narada Michael Walden has contributed to the soundtracks of many movies:

• Perfect (1985)
• 9½ Weeks (1986)
• Innerspace (1987)
• Mannequin (1987)
• Bright Lights, Big City (1988)
• Licence to Kill (1989)
• The Bodyguard (1992)
• Free Willy (1993)
• Crooklyn (1994)
• Jason's Lyric (1994)
• The Associate (1996)
• Now and Again (1999–2000)

Other Music Projects

Narada Michael Walden has worked with many other artists as a drummer and a producer.

As a Drummer

He played drums for these artists and bands:

• 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)
• 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)
• Teena Marie - "Out On A Limb (Starchild)" (1984)
• Zucchero Fornaciari – Rispetto (1986)
• Journey – Freedom (2022)

As a Producer

He produced music for these artists:

• Stacy Lattisaw – Let Me Be Your Angel (1980), "Jump to the Beat" (1980), With You (1981), Sneakin' Out (1982), Sixteen (1983) and Perfect Combination (with Johnny Gill; 1984)
• Sister Sledge – All American Girls (1981)
• Carl Carlton – "The Bad CC" (1982)
• Angela Bofill – "Something About You" (1981), "Too Tough" (1983), "Tonight I Give In" (1983), "I'm on Your Side" (1983)
• San Francisco 49ers - "We Are the 49ers" (1984, rereleased in 2020 for the team's appearance in Super Bowl LIV)
• Clarence Clemons – Hero (1985)
• Aretha Franklin – Who's Zoomin' Who? (1985), Aretha (1986), Through the Storm (1989), "Everyday People" (1991), A Rose Is Still a Rose (1998)
• Whitney Houston – "How Will I Know" (1985), Whitney (1987), "One Moment in Time" (1988), I'm Your Baby Tonight (1990), "I'm Every Woman" (1992)
• George Benson – "Kisses in the Moonlight" and "While the City Sleeps" from While the City Sleeps... (1986)
• Sheena Easton – "So Far, So Good" (1986) from About Last Night and No Sound But a Heart and "Till Death Do Us Part" from My Cherie (1995)
• Luba – "How Many" (1986)
• Jermaine Stewart – "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off" (1986)
• Pointer Sisters – "Be There" (1987)
• Starship – "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" (1987)
• Yōko Oginome – Verge of Love (1988)
• Regina Belle – "Baby Come to Me" (1989)
• Natalie Cole – "I Do" (1989)
• Gladys Knight – "Licence to Kill" (1989)
• Patti LaBelle – "Still in Love" (1989)
• Eddie Murphy – "Put Your Mouth on Me" and "Till the Money's Gone" from So Happy (1989)
• Pia Zadora – "Pia Z" (1989)
• Mariah Carey – "Vision of Love" (1990), "I Don't Wanna Cry" (1991)
• Tevin Campbell – "Tell Me What You Want Me to Do" (1991)
• Lisa Fischer – "How Can I Ease the Pain" (1991)
• Shanice Wilson – "I Love Your Smile" and "I Hate to Be Lonely" from Inner Child (1991), "Love Is the Gift" (2000) from The Bouncer
• Al Jarreau – Heaven and Earth (1992)
• Milira – "One Man Woman" (1992)
• Elton John & Kiki Dee – "True Love" (1993)
• Mica Paris – "Whisper a Prayer" (1993)
• Michelle Gayle – "Sweetness", "Freedom", "Happy Just to Be with You", "Baby Don't Go", "All Night Long" from the self titled album Michelle Gayle (1994)
• Al Green – "Your Heart's in Good Hands" (1995)
• Diana Ross – Take Me Higher (1995)
• Taral Hicks – "Whoopty Whoop", "Don't Let the Feelin' Go Away", "I Wish You Were Here" from This Time (1997)
• Steve Winwood – Junction Seven (1997)
• Don Novello as Father Guido Sarducci and Cat McLean – "Everybody's Free to Wear Camouflage" (1999)
• The Temptations – Awesome (2001)
• Ray Charles – Genius & Friends (2005)
• LaToya London – "Every Part of Me", "Learn to Breathe" and "State of My Heart" from Love & Life (2005)
• Brian Evans – "At Fenway" (2011)
• Sydney Brown – "Love Is Stronger than Smoke and Fire" (2018)
• Santana – "Whiter Shade of Pale", "Song for Cindy" (2021)
• Journey – Freedom (2022)
• Ukrainian smooth jazz singer Shaxa (Shakhsanem Abraham) – “Never been higher”. Higher (Sted - E & Hybrid Heights Remix)

See also

In Spanish: Narada Michael Walden para niños