Narada Michael Walden (born Michael Walden on April 23, 1952 in Kalamazoo, Michigan) 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. Walden has also owned and operated Tarpan Studios, a well-known recording studio in San Rafael, California, since the mid-1980s.

His stage career included appearances with John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra (where he replaced legendary drummer Billy Cobham),^[1], Jeff Beck (on Beck’s album Wired) and Tommy Bolin Band.

His first album, Garden of Love Light, was released in 1976 and included the track “Delightful”, song from Tommy Bolin Band setlist. 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”, which also made the UK Top 10 in 1980. “Gimme Gimme Gimme”, his 1985 duet with Patti Austin, reached #1 in Sweden. In 1988, he scored another UK top 10 hit and a #1 US Dance hit, with “Divine Emotions” under the name Narada.

He has contributed to a diverse range of musical genres including rock, jazz, pop, R&B and fusion.

He was awarded Grammys for Producer of the Year in 1987,^[1] Album of the Year for the movie soundtrack The Bodyguard in 1993^[1] 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.

Discography

Albums

• 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 Emotion – 1988

Singles

• “Delightful” (1977)
• “Give Your Love a Chance” (1979)
• “I Don’t Want Nobody Else (to Dance with You)” (1979)
• “I Shoulda Loved Ya” (1980)
• “Tonight I’m Alright” (1980)
• “The Real Thang” (1980)
• “Summer Lady” (1982)
• “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)” (1983)
• “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme” (1985)
• “Divine Emotions” (as Narada) (1988)

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
• Bright Lights, Big City