Narada Michael Walden | Questlove Supreme

Narada Michael Walden has won "Producer Of The Year" at the Grammy Awards. Before he produced monster records for Aretha Franklin, George Michael, Whitney Houston, and others, he was a prolific drummer from Michigan with a dream. In his Questlove Supreme interview, Narada recalls his upbringing and influences. He details his experiences, ranging from seeing Stevie Wonder as a child and years hanging out with P-Funk's Eddie Hazel. Narada also describes his time as a member of the Mahavishnu Orchestra and working with some of the most revered Jazz legends while as a disciple of Sri Chinmoy. This is a rare audience with one of Questlove's greatest inspirations.In the second half of his Questlove Supreme interview, the musician-turned-super-producer Narada Michael Walden examines the 1980s. He recalls making hits with songstresses like Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Angela Bofill, and Stacy Lattisaw. One can feel the passion, experimentation, and wise intensity of a 50-plus-year legend in the game. This interview is special.
Original Air Date: April 3, 2024
#QuestloveSupreme #QuestloveSupremePodcast #QuestloveSupremePod #QuestloveSupremeKZbin #AhmirThompsonPodcast #AhmirThompson #iHeartPodcasts #iHeart #Podcast #Podcasttolisten #KZbinPodcast #corinnebaileyrae #FatimaRobinson #NaradaMichaelWalden

[@Norther56]

I interviewed Narada for a class assignment when I attended WMU in Kalamazoo back in the late 70s. He was in town for a concert and I was working for the college newspaper; comp tickets were sent to the newspaper office, and I pitched the interview idea to my professor. One of my life's regrets is that I didn't think to get that interview back from my professor. 😞 I'd love to have it for my clip book! Narada was very easy to interview, as pleasant and charming then as he is today. He answered all my questions, and gave me a couple of Sri Chinmoy's books. It's been a real pleasure to see his career blossom as it has. Thank you, Questlove, for this video.

[@edzielinski]

What a brilliant interview. This is how it is done! Mr. Walden is so dynamic and bigger than life, and I truly believe some of the magic of the performances he talks about are due to the environment and vibe he created around people, and the respect he gave. He's just riveting to listen to. Questlove and team were also tops here - bringing the knowledge, the lore, the energy, and the passion. 🔥

[@derricklester9210]

I grew up on Narada Micheal Walden 1979 album The Dance of Life

[@QLSProducer]

Great album. Played it surrounding this interview.

[@jamescox8402]

Such good questions. Such a god of music and spirit. Such fun. Thank you all.

[@eggads]

Always loved Narada’s work on Sister Sledge’s underrated album All American Girls!

[@poohbear9174]

Ive been following this brotha long before his producing so many (now) legendary acts. His drumming has always been epic on everything especially on Teena Marie's Out On A Limb; amazing.

[@WayneBoucaud]

It was an absolute joy listening to Narada talk about those studio sessions, I didn’t want him to stop, well done once again Quest’ on another stellar interview, so much musical history to unpack here, just brilliant!

[@QLSProducer]

RIGHT!??

[@frettinround]

I need narada to save me 🙏🏻

[@neyeswah1]

questlove didn't have to bring out narda's personality, cause he's like this all time time when it comes to discussing music. but as always, questlove knows how to get the artists going. much respect to you amir.

[@royaltyjc]

The respect and enthusiasm is palpable.

[@luxuryrapchannel]

This is amazing bc Quest has the driest personality and Narada has the most energy on the planet 😂. Thanks for this. A true legend

[@davidwebb2816]

Questlove 🥁 Thanks to you and Narada Walden 🥁🎼🎶 for this enlightening " innérview " with one of the renown premier drummers of the Fusion Era 🎶🎵 Michael really gave a lot of insight into his life and his trajectory of his musical Journey. I'm a drummer 🥁 born and raised in Detroit and my musical influence is my father Donald Webb who was a session drummer for all kinds of Music groups including some Motown sessions, My late father's Slingerland 5 piece Drum kit 🥁 which Im still playing today. Growing up in Detroit with a father who was a musician we consumed every kind of music 🎼🎶 from Motown R&B and Soul, Blues, Musical Show Tunes, Jazz and all the vocal 🎤🎶🎵 artist like Billie Holiday Sarah Vaughan 🎤 Nancy Wilson 🎤 Gospel music Mahalia Jackson and Opera music 🎼🎶 Lentine Price 🎤. Michael Walden 🥁🎼🪘 has been a iconic influence for me as a Drummer 🥁 after he took over the seat from Billy Cobham 🥁 then when Michael first album came out I listened to it and my initial response was slitted as much as I felt that this music is Soulful I felt like he had left behind the intensity of what he was playing with Mahavishnu John McLaughlin 🎸🎼🎶. Having followed Michaels musical Journey I came to appreciate the depth of his musical talent 🥁 🎹. Surely for Us who know, Michael Walden 🥁 deserves his Flowers 🌺 for his well deserved Recognition 👑

[@kennewton7518]

Wow!! Quest love really knows the history that led to Funk which is my genre as a child growing up in the 70's. " I should have loved you " was a funky song. But I really came to appreciate narada Michael Walden when he started producing Stacy lattisaw.

[@tomcopsonjr9463]

Thank you for this amazing interview with Narda. Totally beautiful.

[@josephturner5894]

absolute GOLD, thank you so much for giving us mere mortals the chance to hear all those stories and learn from the GREATS 🙏

[@QLSProducer]

That compliment is why we do this...

[@paligap1495]

Thanks for a great Interview! Man, Narada has to write a book - so many people over so many different musical genres...

[@QLSProducer]

We would buy it right now...

[@Muggfacepublishing]

The "Pride of Kalamazoo" as far as musicians go. I remember his first album, as well as seeing him at the Back Door, with was a bar there. Some of the people that I knew would play with him. And then he came to Cali. and the rest is history. BTW I think I listen to the album 10,001.

[@QLSProducer]

Nice context

[@alexdean4962]

Great interview and very educational, what a life he has led

[@crnkmnky]

11:43 The way Quest said "SOLAR Eclipse," I thought he was about to talk about Shalamar and Leon Sylvers or something. 😸

[@chinbeats6551]

FINALLY. WE ARE HERE.

[@zvenx]

Thanks for doing this... Narada was one of my most listened to artist/producers in my teenage years.. strangely I think I got to know him first from his work with Stacy Lattisaw more than his own work...I think...

[@pervertedalchemist9944]

Although Narada Michael Walden produced mostly big name female artists, I felt his best work was doing most of Stacy Lattisaw's albums.

[@QLSProducer]

Word... some nice Stacy talk near the middle of this video... (early Part 2 in the audio)...

[@vdurham66]

Great interview!

[@QLSProducer]

Thank you for tuning in

[@samsevan]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@thePocketWatch45]

to be great you must have a story like: I wanted to get better so bad, I tried to cut off my left arm. OR, I tried to make my self blind lol..smh "...i decided never to let anyone outwork me" - mj

[@QLSProducer]

There it is...

[@AJimiDigginKat]

🙌🏿

[@waggabutt4655]

I love Mike's history lessons.

[@QLSProducer]

So good, so timeless...