Narada Michael Walden
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Michael Walden (born April 23, 1952, in Kalamazoo, Michigan USA) is an American producer, drummer, singer, and songwriter. He was given the name Narada by guru Sri Chinmoy in the early 1970s and his musical career spans three decades, in which he was awarded several gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards.
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[edit] Achievements
Number one hits have included several collaborations
He has contributed to a diverse range of musical genres including rock, jazz, pop, R&B and fusion.
He was awarded Producer of the Year in 1987, Album of the Year for the 1993 movie soundtrack The Bodyguard and the Song of the Year in 1985 for Aretha Franklin's "Freeway of Love." He was also named as one of the "Top Ten Producers With the Most Number One Hits" by Billboard magazine.
[edit] Performing career
His stage career included appearances with John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra (where he replaced legendary drummer Billy Cobham), and Jeff Beck (on Beck's album Wired).
His first album, Garden of Love Light, was released in 1976 and included the track "Delightful". The lone single released from the album, it charted at #81 on the R&B charts in the spring of 1977.
His 1979 album Awakening peaked at #15 on the R&B charts, spawning a Top 10 hit with "I Don't Want Nobody Else (To Dance With You )". Later that year, his album The Dance of Life yielded the Top 5 single "I Shoulda Loved Ya". Nine years later in 1988, he scored a UK top 10 hit and a #1 US Dance hit, with "Divine Emotions" under the name Narada
[edit] Discography
- Garden of Love Light - 1976
- I Cry, I Smile - 1977
- Awakening - 1979
- The Dance of Life - 1979
- Victory - 1980
- Confidence - 1982
- Looking At You, Looking At Me - 1983
- The Nature of Things - 1985
- Divine Emotions - 1988
[edit] Soundtracks
- Beverly Hills Cop II
- Perfect
- Licence to Kill
- The Bodyguard
- Jason's Lyric
- 9½ Weeks
- Crooklyn
- Free Willy
- Mannequin
- The Associate
- Now and Again
- Innerspace
[edit] Other collaborations
- Stacy Lattisaw Sneakin' Out album
- Al Green ("Your Heart's in Good Hands")
- Shanice Wilson ("I Love Your Smile," "I Hate to Be Lonely")
- Ray Charles
- Diana Ross
- George Michael
- Wild Orchid
- Tevin Campbell
- Angela Bofill
- Diana Ross
- MyTown
- Steve Winwood
- Phaze II
- Regina Belle-Passion ("Baby Come to Me")
- Andy Vargas
- Debelah Morgan
- Jai
- Jermaine Stewart ("We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off")
- Natalie Cole ("Good to Be Back")
- Clarence Clemons
- Puff Johnson
- Eddie Murphy ("Put Your Mouth On Me")
- Carl Carlton ("The Bad CC")
- Robert Fripp
- Michelle Gayle ("Sweetness", "Freedom", "Happy Just To Be With You", "Baby Don't Go", "All Night Long")
[edit] See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
