“I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with some of the most incredible guitarists,” Narada Michael Walden shares from his residence in San Rafael, California.
And he’s absolutely right.
Walden, a Grammy Award-winning producer renowned for his work with icons like Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey, initially made his mark as the drummer for the Mahavishnu orchestra, recording three albums with John McLaughlin and his ensemble from 1974 to 1976.
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Following his time with Mahavishnu, Walden collaborated with Tommy Bolin on Teaser, toured with Jeff Beck for Wired, contributed to Allan Holdsworth’s debut solo album Velvet Darkness, worked on three tracks for Robert Fripp’s Exposure, and jammed with Carlos Santana.
A Michigan native, Walden has released over a dozen albums and even briefly joined Journey, performing at Lollapalooza in 2021 and co-producing their 2022 album, Freedom.
His experiences with these legendary musicians have left a lasting impact,which he reflects on fondly.
The Influence of John McLaughlin
“In 1971, while living in Pasadena, I stumbled upon the album The Inner Mounting Flame in a record store. I had just enough cash to buy it, and when I heard McLaughlin and Billy cobham, it was a revelation-so precise and powerful. It wholly captivated me.I would practice my drumming to that record, absorbing its essence,” Walden recalls.
“After relocating to Connecticut, I attended a concert where I learned about McLaughlin’s spiritual practices and his guru, Sri Chinmoy. After the show, I was fortunate enough to meet a disciple who introduced me to McLaughlin backstage.”
“I introduced myself, saying, ‘I’m Michael Walden, and I aspire to be like you. I’ve never witnessed anything like your performance.’ He replied, ‘it’s largely due to my prayer and meditation. I’m meeting my guru at six in the morning in Queens. Give me your number, and I’ll call you.’”
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“A week later, while living in the woods of Canaan, Connecticut, I received a call from John.He invited me to join him for meditation sessions with his guru in Norwalk, which profoundly transformed my life. I began attending weekly meditations, and it became a pivotal part of my journey.”
“Mahavishnu became my Hendrix. Joining the band was a dream realized.”
– Narada Michael Walden
“John would occasionally invite me to a restaurant in Queens, where I would play on his guitar case in 7/8 time. He recognized my ability to keep up with him. We jammed again at a meditation event in the Village, and eventually at my barn in Canaan with Billy McCoy on piano and Ralphe Armstrong on bass.”
“John intimidated me.His expression was stoic, yet his playing was unusual.I often had to close my eyes to focus and keep pace with him.”
“Soon after, he expressed his desire for me to join his band. This connection developed over time as I became a disciple, aligning spiritually and musically with him. I had always dreamed of being Jimi Hendrix’s drummer, but Mahavishnu became my Hendrix. Joining the band was a dream come true.”
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“I owe a great deal to Mahavishnu for opening the door to my career. I had no idea how to navigate the music industry, which is notoriously challenging. he anointed me, and without that, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Mahavishnu paved the way for me to achieve remarkable things in my life.”
“People often overlook the depth of love for music. McLaughlin taught me the importance of listening. I learned to observe his body movements; he would become one with the music,and that was incredibly inspiring.”
Collaborating with robert Fripp
“Robert Fripp entered my life around 1977, while I was still in New York before relocating to California. I was performing at McHale’s,a small club frequented by musicians,when I noticed a distinguished gentleman with glasses standing near my bass drum. It turned out to be Fripp himself!”
“He approached me and asked if I would join him for a recording session. I was thrilled, as King Crimson had been a significant influence on me during high school. The next day, I arrived at the studio with the legendary Tony Levin on bass, and Robert introduced me to a track called ‘Breathless.’ We created magic as a trio-electric guitar,bass,and drums.”
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“Fripp was grounded and reserved, but when he spoke, it was impactful. In ‘breathless,’ there’s a section that shifts between odd and even meters, requiring intense focus. I wanted to navigate it freely while ensuring I didn’t disrupt his flow, as my admiration for him ran deep.”
Meeting Carlos Santana
“I first met Carlos in 1973 at Mahavishnu’s home. As I entered the living room, the legendary Carlos Santana emerged from the kitchen. During my time at Western Michigan University, his debut album was the soundtrack for many late-night study sessions among my peers.”
“Carlos was a superstar, and here he was, greeting me in John’s house. I was in awe of being in the presence of such musical giants, and it wasn’t long before they collaborated on the album Love Devotion Surrender.
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“Carlos is someone who constantly speaks about spirituality. He embodies gratitude and shares his connection with God openly. His name, Devadip, reflects his essence-the light of God. His music resonates with deep emotion, akin to holding lightning in your hands, much like Jimi Hendrix did.”
“He invites listeners to share in that emotional journey. Carlos seeks authenticity; he wants raw, heartfelt expression. He encourages you to pour your soul into your music, to bleed for it.”
