American musician
Narada Michael Walden
Background information Born Michael Walden
(1952-04-23 ) April 23, 1952 (age 73) Genres Occupations Musician songwriter record producer Instruments Years active 1971–present Labels Atlantic ,Reprise /Warner Bros. , TarpanFormerly of Website naradamichaelwalden
Musical artist
Narada Michael Walden (/ˈ n ɑː r ə d ə NAH -rə-dəMichael Walden ; born April 23, 1952)[ 1] [ 7] Narada by guruSri Chinmoy .[ 7]
He began his career as a drummer, working primarily in thejazz fusion realm, appearing withJohn McLaughlin and theMahavishnu Orchestra ,Chick Corea ,Jaco Pastorius ,Jeff Beck ,Wayne Shorter andWeather Report , andAllan Holdsworth . After being mentored byQuincy Jones , he transitioned into a role as a songwriter and producer, working in the 1980s and 1990s with numerousR&B acts such asWhitney Houston ,Aretha Franklin ,Stacy Lattisaw ,Angela Bofill ,Jermaine Stewart ,Tevin Campbell andMariah Carey , as well as other singers across a number of genres. In 2020, he became the drummer ofJourney replacingSteve Smith . In 2021, he became one of two drummers in the band alongside the returningDeen Castronovo prior to leaving in 2022.[ 8] Freedom
Video of Narada Michael Walden recording a drum groove for Italian artistZucchero Fornaciari for the 1986 albumRispetto . Walden was born inPlainwell, Michigan . He attended Western Michigan University inKalamazoo, Michigan , from 1970 to 1972.
Walden played with rock bands inMiami after he graduated from college.[ 7] Mahavishnu Orchestra from 1974 to 1976, playing drums and providing vocals.Atlantic released his first album,Garden of Love Light , in 1977, with a single that reached the R&B chart.[ 7] I Cry I Smile andThe Awakening .[ 7] [ 7] Patti Austin and an appearance on the soundtrack of the movieBright Lights, Big City .[ 7]
He built his studio in 1985 and produced music forThe 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 , andMariah Carey .[ 9]
Walden has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards and won three:[ 10] [ 11] [ 12] The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album [ 7]
In 2013, Walden married formerCatholic school teacher Katie Mersereau atMarin Civic Center inSan Rafael, California . The couple have two daughters, Kelly and Kayla, and a son, Michael.[ 13] Evolution , released in 2015, with Mersereau credited as providing backing vocals on four tracks and writing one song, under her married name, Katie Mersereau-Walden.[ 14]
Year Single Peak chart positions US [ 18] US [ 19] US [ 20] UK [ 21] [ 17] 1977 "Delightful" — 81 — — 1979 "Give Your Love a Chance" — 80 — — "I Don't Want Nobody Else (To Dance with You)" 47 9 64 — "I Shoulda Loved Ya" 66 4 8 8 1980 "Tonight I'm Alright" — 35 8 34 "The Real Thang" — 22 25 — 1981 "I Want You" — 46 25 — 1982 "Summer Lady" — 39 — — "You're #1" — 19 — — 1983 "Reach Out (I'll Be There) " — 40 19 — 1985 "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme " — 39 — 87 "The Nature of Things" — 82 21 — 1988 "Divine Emotions " — 21 1 8 "Can't Get You Outta My Head" — — — 93 "Wild Thing" — 97 — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
Other collaborations [ edit ] Stacy Lattisaw –Let Me Be Your Angel Jump to the Beat " (1980),With You (1981)Sneakin' Out Sixteen Perfect Combination Johnny Gill ; 1984)Sister Sledge –All American Girls 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 inSuper Bowl LIV )[ 23] Clarence Clemons –Hero Aretha Franklin –Who's Zoomin' Who? Aretha Through the Storm Everyday People " (1991),A Rose Is Still a Rose Whitney Houston – "How Will I Know " (1985),Whitney One Moment in Time " (1988),I'm Your Baby Tonight I'm Every Woman " (1992)Dionne Warwick – "No One There (To Sing Me a Love Song)" fromFriends George Benson – "Kisses in the Moonlight" and "While the City Sleeps" fromWhile the City Sleeps... (1986)Sheena Easton – "So Far, So Good" (1986) fromAbout Last Night andNo Sound But a Heart My Cherie 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 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" fromSo Happy 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" fromInner Child (1991), "Love Is the Gift" (2000) fromThe Bouncer Al Jarreau –Heaven and Earth 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 albumMichelle Gayle (1994)Al Green – "Your Heart's in Good Hands " (1995)Diana Ross –Take Me Higher Taral Hicks – "Whoopty Whoop", "Don't Let the Feelin' Go Away", "I Wish You Were Here" fromThis Time (1997)Steve Winwood –Junction Seven Don Novello as Father Guido Sarducci and Cat McLean – "Everybody's Free to Wear Camouflage" (1999)The Temptations –Awesome Ray Charles –Genius & Friends LaToya London – "Every Part of Me", "Learn to Breathe" and "State of My Heart" fromLove & 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 Ukrainian smooth jazz singer Shaxa (Shakhsanem Abraham) – “Never been higher”.Higher (Sted - E & Hybrid Heights Remix) ^a b "Narada Michael Walden Page" .Soulwalking.co.uk . Archived fromthe original on November 21, 2002. RetrievedDecember 30, 2020 .^ Narada Michael Walden Retrieved 25 August 2025^ "Narada Michael Walden Tells The Stories Behind Eight Great Tracks He's Worked On, From Mahavishnu Orchestra To Mariah Carey" .Stereogum . September 14, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023 .^ Records, Iconoclassic."Weather Report" .Iconoclassic Records . RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023 . ^ cameron (June 9, 2010)."Narada Michael Walden and Jeff Beck Tour" .Audix . RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023 . ^ Wardlaw, Matt (May 13, 2022)."Why Narada Michael Walden Left Journey" .Ultimate Classic Rock . RetrievedFebruary 4, 2023 . ^a b c d e f g h Hogan, Ed."Narada Michael Walden" .AllMusic . RetrievedDecember 18, 2018 . ^ "JONATHAN CAIN Says NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN's Addition To JOURNEY's Touring Lineup 'Didn't Quite Pan Out' .Blabbermouth . March 2022. RetrievedMarch 1, 2022 .^ "Narada Michael Walden | Credits" . AllMusic. RetrievedDecember 18, 2018 .^ "Narada Michael Walden" .GRAMMY.com . March 17, 2014. RetrievedJanuary 13, 2019 .^ "28th Annual GRAMMY Awards" .GRAMMY.com . November 28, 2017. RetrievedJanuary 13, 2019 .^ "30th Annual GRAMMY Awards" .GRAMMY.com . November 28, 2017. RetrievedJanuary 13, 2019 .^ Liberatore, Paul (February 25, 2016)."Paul Liberatore's Lib at Large: The new stars in record producer Narada Michael Walden's life: baby girls" .Marin Independent Journal . ^ "Narada Michael Walden – Evolution" .Discogs .^ "Narada Michael Walden – Awards" . AllMusic. Archived fromthe original on September 27, 2013. RetrievedJuly 20, 2022 .^ "Chart History – Narada Michael Walden: TOP R&B/HIP-HOP ALBUMS" .Billboard . Archived fromthe original on April 25, 2022. RetrievedNovember 9, 2021 .^a b "NARADA – full Official Chart History" .Official Charts Company . RetrievedDecember 30, 2020 .^ "Narada Michael Walden: Chart History – HOT 100" .Billboard . Archived fromthe original on October 24, 2020.^ "Chart History: Narada Michael Walden – HOT R&B/HIP-HOP SONGS" .Billboard . Archived fromthe original on November 17, 2021. RetrievedDecember 30, 2020 .^ "Chart History: Narada Michael Walden – DANCE CLUB SONGS" .Billboard . Archived fromthe original on May 19, 2022. RetrievedDecember 30, 2020 .^ "Narada Michael Walden – full Official Chart History" . Official Charts Company.^ "Rispetto – Zucchero Sugar Fornaciari | Official Website" (in Italian). RetrievedFebruary 6, 2023 .^ "Producer of 1984 hit 'We Are The 49ers' revamps track for 2020 Super Bowl" . January 30, 2020.
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Awards for Narada Michael Walden
1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
Awarded to songwriters
1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s "No Scrubs " –Kandi Burruss ,Kevin Briggs &Tameka Cottle (2000) "Say My Name " –Beyoncé ,Rodney Jerkins ,LaShawn Daniels ,Fred Jerkins III ,LeToya Luckett ,LaTavia Roberson &Kelly Rowland (2001) "Fallin' " –Alicia Keys (2002) "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop) " –Erykah Badu , Glenn Standridge,James Poyser , Madukwu Chinwah,Raphael Saadiq ,Lonnie Lynn & Robert Ozuna (2003) "Crazy in Love " –Beyoncé Knowles ,Shawn Carter &Rich Harrison (2004) "You Don't Know My Name " –Alicia Keys ,Harold Lilly &Kanye West (2005) "We Belong Together " –Mariah Carey ,Johntá Austin ,Manuel Seal Jr. &Jermaine Dupri (2006) "Be Without You " –Bryan-Michael Cox , Jason Perry,Johntá Austin &Mary J. Blige (2007) "No One " –Alicia Keys ,George M. Harry &Kerry "Krucial" Brothers (2008) "Miss Independent " –Mikkel Eriksen, Tor Hermansen &Ne-Yo (2009) 2010s "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) " –Thaddis "Kuk" Harrell ,Beyoncé Knowles ,Terius Nash &Christopher Stewart (2010) "Shine" –John Legend (2011) "Fool for You " –CeeLo Green ,Melanie Fiona &Jack Splash (2012) "Adorn " –Miguel Pimentel (2013) "Pusher Love Girl " –James Fauntleroy ,Jerome Harmon ,Timothy Mosley &Justin Timberlake (2014) "Drunk in Love " –Shawn Carter ,Rasool Diaz ,Noel Fisher ,Jerome Harmon ,Beyoncé Knowles ,Timothy Mosley ,Andre Eric Proctor &Brian Soko (2015) "Really Love " –D'Angelo , Gina Figueroa & Kendra Foster (2016) "Lake by the Ocean " – Hod David &Musze (2017) "That's What I Like " –Christopher Brody Brown ,James Fauntleroy ,Philip Lawrence ,Bruno Mars ,Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus & Jonathan Yip (2018) "Boo'd Up " –Larrance Dopson ,Joelle James ,Ella Mai &Dijon McFarlane (2019) 2020s "Say So " –PJ Morton (2020) "Better Than I Imagined" –Robert Glasper ,Meshell Ndegeocello &Gabriella Wilson (2021) "Leave the Door Open " –Brandon Anderson ,Christopher Brody Brown ,Dernst Emile II &Bruno Mars (2022) "Cuff It " –Denisia "Blu June" Andrews ,Beyoncé ,Brittany "Chi" Coney ,Terius "The-Dream" Gesteelde-Diamant ,Morten Ristorp ,Nile Rodgers &Raphael Saadiq (2023) "Snooze " –Kenny B. Edmonds , Blair Ferguson, Khris Riddick-Tynes,Solána Rowe &Leon Thomas III (2024) "Saturn " –Rob Bisel ,Carter Lang ,Solána Rowe , Jared Solomon &Scott Zhang (2025)
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