Narada Michael Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Wow! I’ve seen hundreds of photos, loads of videos - I’ve never seen Narada Michael Walden in an orange bowler. When was the last time I wore orange? InSync! From the first moment to the last, what a glorious, grateful, exuberant lovefest. Narada is as passionate, fun, inviting, and accessible as his music.

We talked about his first paper drumkit at 5, how he watched, listened, and learned from his heroes. How the soul sounds of Detroit shaped him, how it’s all soul sounds. From his first band at 11 to the Mahavishnu Orchestra, which would change his life in all ways… adding prayer. mediation, service, and Narada to his name, gifted by his guru, Sri Chinmoy, thanks to John McLaughlin, and of course, the music, following in Billy Cobham’s big footsteps, touring with Jeff Beck, then recording Wired with him, writing “material” for the album, the full circle back to Beck a decade ago and the story behind their masterpiece version of Little Wing. Ah me! How playing transitioned to producing, inspired by Quincy Jones to service other artists, and the superstar women he championed to great heights - Aretha with their Grammy Song of The Year, Freeway of Love, Whitney with their 6 number one hits including their Grammy Winning Album of the Year, Mariah, with musical knowledge to match her musical chops. We talked our friend, Allee Willis, Keith Moon, Ringo, Jaco, Carlos, Sting, Trudy, Stevie, Marvin, Cissy, his last tour with Journey, and how his devotion to his wife and children brought him home. This very morning Narada was up at 6 readying his kids for school and then driving them there. This interview was held early so that he’d be home when they got home. Quite a man. Respect.

For a taste of what Narada himself is up to musically, check out his The More I Love My Life https://bfan.link/the-more-i-love-my-life with Sting, Carlos, and Stevie, I can’t stop listening! It seems to so sum up this man of grace.

And while you’re at it, watch this - and tear yourself away, if you can! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9UQbf_VoQI Perfection! Jeff, Narada, and Rhonda, do Jimi proud.

This is a man as comfortable with pop, soul, funk, rock, and blues as he is with fusion. Brilliant with them all. Loving and appreciating them all, and, as his audience, I’ll gratefully follow him to any of them. I loved every second in Narada’s most excellent company. Grateful girl!

Narada Michael Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Wednesday, 9/25/24, 1 pm PT, 4 pm ET

Streamed Live on my Facebook

Replay here:

https://bit.ly/3XYFsfJ