Born Vladamir Nikitich, 1958 in Brazil to Russian parents Nikita and Tatiana; studied music at Conservatory of Music in San Mateo, California; married Corinne, 1988, three children: Christina, Isabella, and Andrei. Addresses: Record company Sony 550 Music, 550 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10022.

Though they rarely become stars themselves, producers and songwriters are often crucial in making stars of others or at least enabling established talents to remain in the spotlight. This certainly seems to be the case with Walter Afanasieff. While he has been an enormously successful songwriter, producer and musician, working with some of the biggest pop music names in the last two decades, Afanasieff is hardly a household name even to the fans of the artists he's closely associated with (most notably, Mariah Carey). Nevertheless, Afanasieff's stamp appears on many of the top popular hits of the 1990s.

Born Vladamir Nikitich in Brazil in 1958, his Russian parents Nikita and Tatiana moved to San Francisco when Afanasieff was five years old. By then, he had already been studying classical piano for two years. Even as a child Afanasieff, who was exposed early on to a variety of musical styles, knew he wanted a career in the music industry. As he recounted to David Farinella in a 1998 Billboard article, "I would sit there as a little kid, rocking on my bed, listening to the Beatles, and know that this is what I wanted to do. I wanted to make music . . . I had this internal clock, this musical rhythm, this music inside of me from day one." A young Afanasieff enrolled at the Conservatory of Music in San Mateo, California, before heading to Europe for additional schooling in classical music. Returning to California in 1978, he developed an interest in jazz that would lead to work with violinist Jean-Luc Ponty and Narada Michael Walden.

Before becoming a producer, Afanasieff was a well-known session musician and composer in the San Francisco area, spent time in a number of bands, and backed vocalists such as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston. He got his start playing with Ponty, and later Walden, with whom he worked for approximately 10 years and who gave him the nickname "Babylove." His time with Walden, Afanasieff told Farinella, was particularly important to his career development. "I think the greatest teacher was Narada, because he truly is a magnificent producer," Afanasieff said. "He's very talented, he's very creative and improvisational. The one thing I really learned from him is how to do vocals."

After working with Walden for a decade, Afanasieff was appointed an executive staff producer for Sony Music in late 1990. Early on in his tenure at Sony, Afanasieff was involved with several successful projects including the Celine Dion-Peabo Bryson duet "Beauty and the Beast" for the Disney movie of the same name, and Carey's Emotions album. "I just happened to get lucky having a bunch of great artists to work with," Afanasieff told Billboard's Susan Nunziata in a 1992 article.

If he isn't famous in his own right, though, Afanasieff's credits are legion. Among his many songwriting credits alone are his collaborations with fellow songwriters Walden, Preston Glass, and Kenny Williams on "Don't Make Me Wait For Love," a single on Kenny G's 1986 album Duotones. With John Bettis, he co-wrote the title track from Peabo Bryson's 1991 album Can You Stop the Rain, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues Song of the Year. The same year Afanasieff co-wrote "Missing You Now" with Michael Bolton and legendary songwriter Diane Warren, which appeared on Bolton's best-selling Time, Love and Tenderness album. Afanasieff and Bettis also collaborated on "If You Go Away," a 1992 song which appeared on greatest hits album from NTKOB (formerly New Kids on the Block). With David Foster and Linda Thompson, he co-wrote the 1997 Celine Dion-Barbra Streisand duet "Tell Him," which appeared on both singers' albums that year.

Afanasieff is probably best known, however, for his work with Carey. He has had a hand in writing, producing, and arranging on the bulk of Carey's work, beginning with her self-titled 1990 debut album. Afanasieff produced subsequent releases by Carey, including hit singles such as 1993's "Hero" and "One Sweet Day," the 1995 duet with Boyz II Men. Besides working behind the scenes with Carey, Afanasieff has had occasion to share the spotlight with her as well. He backed Carey on piano during her May 20, 1992 performance on MTV's Unpluggedshow, which was later released as an EP. His reputation as a top producer caught the attention of Hollywood, as well. Afanasieff worked on a number of movie soundtracks, including 1991's Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Bodyguard in 1992, and Hercules in1997. With Walden he co-wrote, co-produced, and arranged the title track for the 1989 James Bond film A License to Kill, which was performed by Gladys Knight.

While he has worked on a number of high profile projects and with a number of well-known artists, Afanasieff said he enjoys the challenge of working with new performers as well. "In a pure, honest sense," he toldBillboard in 1998, "I would prefer an artist who is an unknown, unheard artist." One of the newer artists he was working with in 1999 was the Australian pop duo Savage Garden (Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones).

His musical craftsmanship and skill did not gone unnoticed by the music community. In a 1998 tribute in Billboard, Carey praised Afanasieff as a "knowledgeable musician," and collaborator Bettis added that Afanasieff "can literally play, write, or produce anything." Sony Music head Thomas Mottola told Billboard for the tribute, "One of the things I respect most about Walter is that, for him, a great record is about feeling, about emotion, and each element of his productions serves to bring that out of the songs. You know when you work with him he's going to dig deep and come up with something that sounds classic and brand new at one and the same time. And he achieves these results with very different artists."

For Afanasieff, producing is apparently ultimately something of an organic process. "I wasn't a guy who studied the engineers and studio techniques and 'miking' and what consoles everybody was using . . . I'd always read that, but that wasn't what I was interested in," he told Farinella. "I was into pure music, what moved me musically, what sounds the best, what keyboard sound work with that bass line, the chord changes, the vocals, the harmonies, the orchestra."

by K. Michelle Moran

Walter Afanasieff's Career

Worked as a session musician and composer in the San Fransisco area backing artists such as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston; worked with jazz violinist Jean- Luc Ponty; worked with Narada Michael Walden; appointed executive staff producer of Sony Music, 1990; wrote and produced songs for Michael Bolton, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Kenny G, Kenny Loggins, and others.

Walter Afanasieff's Awards

Nominated for Grammy Award for "Can You Stop the Rain," a 1991 Peabo Bryson song he co-wrote with John Bettis.

Famous Works

Further Reading

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Visitor Comments Add a comment…

3 months ago

I am looking for song name that I believe Mr. Afanasieff wrote for the HunchBack of Notre Dame. It has the words I gave my love. Beautiful slow song. Does anyone know the full name of this song. Please respond to stellalevin@ao.com

5 months ago

Back in the late 70s and early 80s we used to see Walter play with a band called Warriors, that included at various times and among others Joaquin Leivano (ostensibly the band leader), Narada Michael Walden, Randy Jackson (yes, that one, I believe), Steve Smith (if I remember correctly), and a great young (at that time) bass player named Keith something-or-other who probably played with Jean-Luc Ponty. Steven Kindler too, I think...well, that was awhile ago. Anyway, they'd play at relatively small places like Larry Blake's in Berkeley and some long-gone joint in Redwood City with $3 or $5 covers. Incredible to be able to see some of the best musicians in the world for so little in such intimate settings. Every time Joaquin would announce the next tune with "this one's by Walter," you knew it would a fantastic piece of music. That guy can really compose. I would love to have a recording of that music. A friend of mine made a tape once at Larry Blake's using a crappy little cassette recorder and it turned out surprisingly well. But who knows where that tape went. Walter also was genuinely approachable. We had several conversations with him during breaks or when they finished. A really nice guy, especially for someone so talented. It's good to see that he's been so successful.

5 months ago

It's does my heart good to have met you at the beginning. I have a fond memory of you stroking those piano keys in the music room at San Mateo High School. Your career and success is so well deserved, you had the talent and passion back then. what an honor to have met you even though you used to stare at my legs in class. Teri

6 months ago

I am a late comer to this blog and urge all to be decent and just talk about Walter professionally. I am here also because I wanted to find out more about this amazing musician. Well he is more amazing that I thought! I learn of Walter mostly through Mariah Carey pre-Glitter CDs. Carey of the 90's was the most incredible singer/composer by her own right. Teamed with Walter the two conquered the hearts and minds of millions around the world. Truly an amazing pair. I played their songs in a high quality system and the sound is totally special, emotional, engaging, precise. But I am disappointed the collaboration ended. While Walter moved on, Carey's music was never the same. She dropped a notch, then two notches and soon chased after the hip hop crowd with cheap stuff. The sophistication and emotion had all disappeared. Now I understand it is Walter who have made the bigger, defining difference other than the actual singing. If Cary won' work with Walter again, I truly hope Walter will find his next Carey. Walter 'owes' something to the millions who lost Carey!!

6 months ago

as is sit here and listen to music of Mariah Anytime it takes a special and talented person compose such mix.

6 months ago

I agree- I love Walter!

7 months ago

I love Walters music and everything about him, I have even gone to Walters house in LA where he lives with his girlfriend. They are an awesome couple and it is awful the way that the 2nd ex wife treats them. I read every single comment here and Everybody says the same thing Walter is amazing and so is his music. And the mean old ex wife should leave them the hell alone and stop being such a miserable gold digger- Get a life you jealous bitch and let them be free- and let Walter creat his music in peace!

8 months ago

I Love Walter´s work like i´ve said before and i wish him all the best i just wanted to tell him how much his work has done for me his musical skills and i´ve sung to songs he´s done with Mariah etc Hero and more Hero is my song it has helped through rough times in my life. Thank You Walter With Love Disa from iceland.

9 months ago

I just discovered your work Walter Afanasieff through the song Can you stop the rain. Now, I'm researching everything you have done and I want to put a show together featuring the Wonder of your creations. Sunjiaa

9 months ago

Walter is a best musicians in tha world,hi have a good soul in his music,i like his music and i like soul & classic music Thank you Walter for your music I am Armenian,and armenians love your art,your music

10 months ago

Hi my name is Disa Maria and i am from Iceland i love Walter´s work on Mariah Carey,Celine Dion,Michael Bolton and Kenny G and just on every album he has contributed on i am 34 years old and i have a rare Lyric Colouratura Soprano and range about 6-7 Octaves i am in a church choir and i want a singin career and my dream is working with someone like walter he is to me the greatest musician i ´ve ever heard. A girl can dream right. And to you who are saying such bad things about Walter´s Past shame on you. i will send my love to his children and Girlfriend Katie Isabella Andrei and Christina God be with you always. Love and Piece from Dísa María Reykjavík Iceland.

11 months ago

I have been a fan of walter, I think he's a genious and would love the oppurtunity to work with him one day. I listen to his productions and have learnt alot from them. Walter, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK YOU ARE DOING!!! Alex

11 months ago

This is Walter Afanasieff's daughter Isabella and i think its really shocking how all you adults act like children. All of this trash talk is only hurting his children, please stop.

11 months ago

ha ha this is crazy but i know Walter _ really and he is such a nice guy and very talented and so is his girlfriend. The thing that people are saying are true he has had it rough because of his slut ex wifes and not because he became famous because they all cheated on him. but I agree that people should only know about his music and not a bunch of sluts. ha

12 months ago

Walter is one of the best song-writers ever has has co-written with Mariah, and most of her best known and best songs are co-written with Walter, so thanks walter your the best!

about 1 year ago

I worked for Walter, he is hard working and very funny, and very smart, and is one of the best at what he does... I enjoyed working for him at Wally World, it was a fun time in my life...

about 1 year ago

Hi, Can anyone tell me where I can find Walter or contact him?? I'm in desperate need of good music. What is happening to the Industry?? I'm a big Mariah fan, and her songs lately are....well....flat or something. where the heck is the piano and the bluesy chord changes gone>??? WHERE IS WALTER??? HELP ME FIND HIM whereiswalter@hotmail.co.uk I just genuinely need some decent music, is all!!!

about 1 year ago

He had a child with his 1st wife too. All the wives seem like hors Poor guy

about 1 year ago

Enough of this. This is Walter's GF and yes I use my real name. This page is about Walter and his achievements in his career. Nothing else PERIOD! We love that there are Warriors for Walter out there but please only leave comments if it is about his music. The past is exactly that...THE PAST. Obviously he has moved on and EVERYONE else should as well. Be positive and truthful and you will have a great life :o) Thank You

about 1 year ago

First of all it's TRULY, you keep spelling that wrong and you are wrong! The 2nd wife cheated too with a dirtbag and is to this day trying to take him for all he is worth, I know because I have heard it first hand-Get YOUR facts straight!

about 1 year ago

"Consuelo"??? Hah! You should put your real name...Corinne!

about 1 year ago

To all that actually believe the junk on the internet....Walter has had 3 wives. The first was when he was very young,18, the 2nd he married before he became succesful in music, and the 3rd was the young one that cheated on him and took him for everything. The second wife, the one he had his children with, truely loved and adored him. Unfortunately Walter's fast rise to fame and fortune took it's toll on their marriage. It's time everyone knew that they truely loved each other. I know,I saw it first hand.

about 1 year ago

I was on google and saw his name on here, wow I've actually met him and his wife recently through a music function(grammy party '08) It was truly an honor to meet him as I am a big fan and the "Mrs." was such a doll! She was charming and looked beautiful and he looked very happy and proud. Unfortunately through the internet I have found the same information about his luck with relationships(goldiggers and such) and I will say this, he is an extreme talent and should be recognized for that not some lousy ex-wives who have nothing to do with Walters success! Although I do know (and not to give too much away) that his "woman" is well on her way to an amazing career as well! Bravo to this great couple and what lies ahead for them.

about 1 year ago

Is that true? I thought he was married to another woman who was younger and cheated as well! Gosh, i feel bad for him but I agree that a cheater should be removed from an amazing profile about an amazing musician and not about a failed married due to the fact that his "ex" wife slept with other men! eeewwww

about 1 year ago

He divorced Corinne because she cheated on him. She is a gold digger, disgusting human being and should be taken off this wonderful profile about Walter Afanasieef