Narada Michael Walden

Narada Michael Walden
Walden performing with Jeff Beck in 2011
Walden performing with Jeff Beck in 2011
Background information
Birth nameMichael Walden
Born (1952-04-23) April 23, 1952 (age 72)
Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.[1]
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Instruments
  • Drums
  • keyboards
  • vocals
Years active1971–present
LabelsAtlantic, Reprise/Warner Bros., Tarpan
Formerly of
Websitenaradamichaelwalden.com

Narada Michael Walden (/ˈnɑːrədə/ NAH-rə-də; Michael Walden; born April 23, 1952)[1][6] is an American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. He acquired the nickname Narada from Sri Chinmoy.[6]

He began his career as a drummer, working primarily in the jazz fusion realm, appearing with John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Chick Corea, Jaco Pastorius, Jeff Beck, Wayne Shorter and Weather Report, and Allan Holdsworth. After being mentored by Quincy Jones, he transitioned into a role as a songwriter and producer, working in the 1980s and 1990s with numerous R&B acts such as Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Stacy Lattisaw, Angela Bofill, and Mariah Carey, as well as other singers across a number of genres. In 2020, he became the drummer of Journey replacing Steve Smith. In 2021, he became one of two drummers in the band alongside the returning Deen Castronovo prior to leaving in 2022.[7] He appears on the band's album Freedom (2022), having co-produced and played on the album before his departure.

  1. ^ a b "Narada Michael Walden Page". Soulwalking.co.uk. Archived from the original on November 21, 2002. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  2. ^ "Narada Michael Walden Tells The Stories Behind Eight Great Tracks He's Worked On, From Mahavishnu Orchestra To Mariah Carey". Stereogum. September 14, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  3. ^ Records, Iconoclassic. "Weather Report". Iconoclassic Records. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  4. ^ cameron (June 9, 2010). "Narada Michael Walden and Jeff Beck Tour". Audix. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  5. ^ Wardlaw, Matt (May 13, 2022). "Why Narada Michael Walden Left Journey". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Hogan, Ed. "Narada Michael Walden". AllMusic. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  7. ^ "JONATHAN CAIN Says NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN's Addition To JOURNEY's Touring Lineup 'Didn't Quite Pan Out'". Blabbermouth. March 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2022.