Narada Michael Walden

Narada Michael Walden ( NAH-rə-də; Michael Walden; born April 23, 1952) is an American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. 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, Tommy Bolin, 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, Jermaine Stewart, Tevin Campbell 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. He appears on the band's album Freedom (2022), having co-produced and played on the album before his departure.