by Michael P. Coleman
Narada Michael Walden proved he was a force to be reckoned with when he coached the plaintive, yearning “Let Me Be Your Angel” out of a 13-year-old Stacy Lattisaw in 1979. From there, he racked up hits with divas including Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Angela Bofill, and Aretha Franklin. Walden consistently displayed a gift for showcasing what was unique in his musical partners, even as he made a name for himself as an artist in his own right.
Walden, 62, also wrote (with Richard Buskin) the best of the many books that followed Whitney Houston’s death, Whitney Houston: The Voice, The Music, The Inspiration. In it, the three time Grammy winner details the stories behind many of Houston’s musical masterpieces.
Most recently, Walden is putting the finishing touches on the debut EP from Chayenne Elliott, a promising young singer who’s signed to Walden’s label and who also happens to be Dionne Warwick’s granddaughter and Whitney Houston’s cousin.
As Funky Town Grooves releases expanded editions of two of Walden’s best productions, the classic Aretha Franklin albums Aretha(featuring the #1 multi-format smash duet with George Michael, “I Knew You Were Waiting For Me”, “Jimmy Lee”, and a stunning cover of “Look To The Rainbow”) and Through The Storm(including powerful duets with Whitney Houston, James Brown, Elton John, The Four Tops, and Kenny G), I sat down with Walden in his recording studio in San Rafael and chatted with him about his iconic projects with the undisputed Queen of Soul.
Look to newsstands everywhere this weekfor the spring issue of The Hub magazine (featuring Mo’ne Davis on the cover) and our exclusive interview with Narada Michael Walden. Also, look to sacculturalhub.com later this month for our expanded feature on Walden, including his stories about working with Ross, Houston, Carey, Quincy Jones and other legends- and his story about the diva who turned him down.
Narada Michael Walden’s Whitney Houston: The Voice, The Music, The Inspirationis available at iBooks and Amazon.
Aretha and Through The Storm are available a funkytowngrooves.com
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Michael P. Coleman is a Sacramento-based freelance writer who is always available. Connect with him at michaelpcoleman.com, via email at mikelsmindseye@me.com, or on Twitter: @ColemanMichaelP
