A well-known American producer, participant in the show “Main Stage”, is looking for future star world class
Walter Afanasyev, two-time winner of the prestigious music award"Grammy", born in Brazil into a Russian family. Studied music in the West, lives and works in the USA. His work with American singer Mariah Carey - he was not only her producer and songwriter, but also went on stage with her as an accompanist. Afanasiev worked with both Whitney Houston and Barbra Streisand, the songs of his charges rose to the top of the world charts. America recognized Walter's talent as a producer, and he was appointed general producer of the largest music company, Sony Music. But even administrative work did not become an obstacle to creativity. Afanasyev became the author of soundtracks for famous Hollywood films “Bodyguard”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Titanic”. And now he is taking part in the new show of the Rossiya channel - “Main Stage”. In an interview, the musician and producer told what he thinks about the project, Russian music, and shared his main dream.
“Everything is very clear to me”
- Walter, you - famous musician and producer, brought many world-class stars into the public eye. Now you are working with Russian colleagues on the “Main Stage” project. Are there any professional differences between you?
- Indeed, in Russia many people know me as a producer. And here in America, the producer has a slightly different role than his Russian colleagues. In my opinion, this is the main difference. In America, a producer is like a film director: we are more involved in creativity than business. But for you, everything is a little different. In Russia they believe that a music producer should only promote the artist, and he does not have to be a musician at all - it is enough that he simply good manager. Although in last years the situation began to change, and among Russian producers real musicians appeared - such as Max Fadeev, Victor Drobysh. They are considered famous producers and at the same time they are composers and songwriters. But even they need arrangers or authors. And I take upon myself everything that I have listed: I write music, make arrangements, take care of the artist’s repertoire, and his promotion. I worked in this aspect for many years. That’s why I’m different from everyone else in the Main Stage show. And I even think a little differently.
- But this doesn’t prevent you from interacting with your colleagues on the project?
- No, it doesn’t interfere. The whole team sits nearby, and I listen to the contestant, draw a conclusion about his potential, prospects, chances of becoming an artist - and decide everything for myself. For me, everything is very clear here.
"Looking for a man"
- I know you dream of finding in Russia talented musician to help him make a career in the West. But for this, perhaps, in addition to talent, you need to have perfect “American English”?
- Of course, everyone has the potential to learn a language. And everyone can achieve singing with little or no accent. But the question is different: who needs it here? In Russia, no one needs this, and no one is doing it. This means that I, as a producer, need to live and think about the potential young man who wants, for example, to go to the West, to America, and become an artist. But, naturally, it will take many, many years to prepare for this, and first you need to move to live in America. I say this because I am interested in finding a person who looks “in that direction” and wants to get on stage there, and not here. It's not about whether it's right or wrong. All people who listen to music, study music, all musicians who want to be the best will always listen to Western music. This is a law, an axiom. It surprises me that for a classically trained musician it is normal to listen and play Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, but for a modern musician who wants to become a star, it is difficult to listen to Western music - you see, English language For some reason it bothers him. I am looking for that rare person who understands that he wants to sing in the West - someone who has worked specifically for this and is ready to work for many years. And here, at the “Main Stage” project, I have already seen a couple of such interesting guys.
Future stars
- So you have already found artists with whom you will work in the future in the same format as with Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and other stars?
- Almost found it. Maybe I’ll find one more... I’m looking for a promising artist for America, because we still don’t have a singer from Russia who would be an undisputed star. And this really interferes with my life! Yes, I know, there are political reasons, there are long years cold war, and, of course, achieving success will not be easy. America will not accept a Russian person so easily. But you have to accept all these circumstances and be prepared to work hard. You need to understand that you can’t just show up, sing a few songs and become a star. It's like the path to an Olympic gold medal - it's always difficult and long. But, unfortunately, many do not understand this! I've encountered this more than once...
- Young people in Russia are now more actively and willingly learning English. Maybe our artists still have a chance?
- The fact is that the accent is not the only difficulty... I understand that it is difficult for a Russian person to learn English well, that you do not have the sound “W” and it is unusual to pronounce it. I myself have difficulty speaking Russian, because I have lived in America all my life. And now, when I talk to you, I think about every word... Although the accent is oral speech- it's okay, people live in America from the most different countries, and many people have an accent. Over the years it levels out and almost goes away. But in music you need to be more careful, and you need to sing without an accent!
Polite teacher
- Is this your advice to future stars or a requirement of life?
- You know, this is a requirement. It also applies to classical musicians. If a singer sings an opera, he must do it in the original language, and do it perfectly clean. Anna Netrebko sings arias in Italian and French with absolutely no accent. When my friend, Italian singer Vittorio Grigolo, sings in German, French and even Russian, he also does it without an accent. When a Western artist performs an aria from the opera “Prince Igor”, he sings in perfect Russian. All opera singers know this rule. So why should it be any different with pop music? It is clear that in America no one sings popular songs in Russian - this is natural for English speaking country. In Russia, on the contrary, for about a hundred years many have been performing various foreign music, singing English and American songs. And yet it is impossible to find a person who sings without an accent!
Among music producers « Main stage" - star of the television project "The Voice" Anton Belyaev. By the way, he sings only in English. Do you know him as a musician?
- I really like this man. Anton plays great and is a wonderful musician. But he sings very poorly in English; I can’t understand some words at all because of his strong accent. For Russians, a song in English is like a magic trick, because many listen without understanding the words and general content. But I hear everything as an American. If a person builds his life around Western music, I would only dream that he would come to me! Now, if Anton had come to me eight, ten years ago, while realizing that he did not sing so well in English... This is the main paradox.
Producer's dream
- Do famous Russian artists approach you?
- Yes, sure. Nikolai Baskov, Philip Kirkorov, and Yulia Nachalova came to America. We studied with them in the studio, singing in English. But it was difficult: because everyone thinks that they can sing well in English, record several songs and immediately become stars. And there was not a single person who would say: “It seems to me that nothing will work out for me this way...”. All artists from Russia think something like this: “I’ll sing in English, record an album in America - and they’ll immediately call me from the studio “Warner Brothers Music” or “Sony Music”, offer me a contract, and I’ll stay here to live peacefully, and everyone will be around me. listen to my music." Don't laugh, I'm being absolutely serious!
- How did you manage to learn the Russian language so well, you’ve never lived in Russia?
- I grew up in America in a Russian house, I have Russian roots and soul. I adore Russian music and melody. In general, I understand everything about Russia, except for one thing - what I already said above. And if there is a person tuned in to my wavelength, with whom we have complete mutual understanding, we will succeed! I came to Russia, looked around, began to feel, try, find out, think: how to build this bridge? The Isina Music Academy is opening in Los Angeles - this is my academy. I came up with a system that is different from the school system: intensive training lasts six weeks and there are master classes. This system is designed primarily for professional people who really want to perform at the international level and are ready to work on it. That's my plan.
- What do you like about Russia?
- Russian culture. You rich story painting, music, literature, ballet. And at the same time, I see a negative image of Russia, for example, in American cinema. All the bandits there are Russian, and this really bothers me, I don’t want to see it! I want to clear this space of garbage, destroy the negative stereotype about Russians. Find unique Russian artist- and show it to America and the whole world. This is my main dream!
The most unusual producer of the Main Stage show is, of course, Walter Afanasyev. A two-time winner of the prestigious Grammy music award, the author of music for the films “Titanic”, “Bodyguard”, “Beauty and the Beast” lives and works in the USA. And he came to Moscow to fulfill his main dream: to find a future world-class star in Russia. Why he needs this and how he is going to do it, Walter told our correspondent.
"It's always about the song"
–Walter, you are a famous world-class producer. Do you feel different from the Russian colleagues with whom you work on the “Main Stage” show?
–In America, the producer has a slightly different role than his Russian colleagues. In America, a producer is like a film director: we are more involved in creativity than business. In Russia they believe that a music producer should only promote an artist and he does not have to be a musician at all - it is enough if he is just a good manager. Although in recent years the situation has begun to change, and real musicians have appeared among Russian producers, such as Max Fadeev, Viktor Drobysh. They are considered famous producers and at the same time are composers and songwriters. But even they still need arrangers or authors. And I take care of everything: I write music, make arrangements, take care of the artist’s repertoire, and his promotion. That’s why I’m different from everyone else in the Main Stage show. And I even think a little differently.
-You were made the fifth producer of the show because you, sitting on the jury, said that you were ready to take on participants into your team that other producers had refused. Why did you take such a risk?
– It seemed to me that when selecting participants, my colleagues were guided by stereotypes that are accepted in Russia. They simply don't know how to write music for the best vocalists. So I decided: let me take those you didn’t take. I want to write songs for all of them. There is no Mariah Carey or Christina Aguilera here, not because there are no such voices, but because they don’t know how to write songs for such voices. So it turns out that real success in recent years is only t.A.T.u. Do you know why? Because they had good song. It's always about the song. It is impossible to resist her.
"To Work with Russian stars difficult"
–I know that you dream of finding a talented musician in Russia to help him make a career in the West. Have you looked into one of the Main Stage participants for this purpose?
-Yes, I’ve already seen a couple of interesting guys. Maybe I’ll find one more... I’m looking for a promising artist for America, because we still don’t have a singer from Russia who would be an undisputed star. And this really interferes with my life! Yes, I know, there are political reasons, there are many years of the Cold War, and, of course, success will not be easy. America will not accept a Russian person so easily. You have to be prepared to work hard. It’s like the path to an Olympic gold medal – it’s always difficult and long.
–Probably the first thing you need is perfect American English?
-Yes. Although an accent in spoken speech is nothing to worry about: people from a variety of countries live in America, and many have an accent. But in music you need to be more careful, and you need to sing without an accent! If a singer performs an opera, he must do it in the original language with perfect clarity. Anna Netrebko sings arias in Italian and French with absolutely no accent. All opera singers know this rule. So why should it be any different with pop music? In Russia, many people have been performing English and American songs for about a hundred years. And yet it is impossible to find a person who sings without an accent!
– Among the music producers of the “Main Stage” is the star of the show “The Voice” Anton Belyaev. By the way, he sings only in English. Do you know him as a musician?
-I really like this person. Anton is an excellent musician, but he sings very poorly in English - I cannot understand some words at all due to his strong accent. For Russians, a song in English is like a magic trick, because many listen without understanding the words and general content. But I hear everything like an American. If a person builds his life around Western music, I would only dream that he would come to me! Now, if Anton had come to me eight to ten years ago, while realizing that he didn’t sing so well in English...
–Have you ever worked with famous Russian artists?
-Yes, sure. Nikolai Baskov, Philip Kirkorov, and Yulia Nachalova came to America. We worked with them in the studio. It was difficult, because all the artists from Russia think something like this: “I’ll sing in English, record an album in America - and they’ll immediately call me from the Warner Brothers Music studio, offer me a contract, and I’ll stay here to live peacefully, and everyone will be around me.” listen to my music." Don't laugh, I'm being absolutely serious! I am looking for that rare person who understands that he wants to sing in the West - someone who has worked specifically for this and is ready to work for many more years.
“I have a Russian soul”
– How did you manage to learn Russian well? After all, you have never lived in Russia...
–I grew up in America in a Russian house, I have Russian roots and a Russian soul. I adore Russian music. I generally understand everything about Russia. And if there is a person tuned in to my wavelength, with whom we have complete mutual understanding, we will succeed! I came to Russia, looked around, began to feel, try, find out, think: how to build this bridge? The Isina Music Academy is opening in Los Angeles - this is my academy. I came up with a system that is different from the school system: intensive training lasts six weeks and there are master classes. This system is designed primarily for professional people who really want to perform at the international level and are ready to work on it. That's my plan.
–What do you like about Russia?
-Russian culture. You have a rich history of painting, music, literature, ballet. And at the same time, I see a negative image of Russia, for example, in American cinema. All the bandits there are Russian, and this really bothers me, I don’t want to see it! I want to destroy this negative stereotype about Russians. Find a unique Russian artist and show him to America and the whole world. This is my main dream!
-It was you who insisted that “Walter Afanasyev” be written in the credits of “Main Stage” and not “Walter Afanasyeff”?
-I'll tell you more. At birth I was given the name Vladimir. And I dream that one day in some good movie my father will see mine in the credits full name: Vladimir Nikitich Afanasyev.
It will be Monday night in Moscow, when the Grammy Awards will be presented in Los Angeles for the 57th time. Barbra Streisand’s album “Partners,” produced by Russian-born composer WALTER AFANASIEF, was nominated in the category “Best Traditional Pop Album with Vocals.” BORIS BARABANOV met with the author of the hits of Mariah Carey and Celine Dion in Moscow, where Mr. Afanasyeff sits on the jury of the television talent competition “Main Stage,” known in the world as X-Factor.
- What is it like for a musician to judge other musicians?
Completely normal. The jury must have a person who understands music. On the “Main Stage” there are singers with me. Singer Zhanna Rozhdestvenskaya. Vocalist Yuri Antonov. And the fourth one - to be honest, I don’t even know who he is. Some composer-guitarist (leader of the group “Chizh and K” Sergei Chigrakov.- “Kommersant”). I am the only producer on the jury. The task of our jury was to select participants, and then teams were formed from them, with whom professional producers worked (Konstantin Meladze, Victor Drobysh, Maxim Fadeev, Igor Matvienko.- “Kommersant”). But in the end they made me the fifth producer. Because I said that I want to assemble a team of those who others will not take.
- From the losers?
It seemed to me that when selecting participants, my colleagues were guided by stereotypes that are accepted in Russia. When I listen to Russian music in my own country, it seems to me that people here really want to imitate Western stereotypes. But now, on the contrary, it seems to me that you are taking too little from us. It's a vicious circle. You see, in Russia they compose music completely differently from ours. In Russia, the traditions of composing songs are one way or another rooted in folklore and art. Soviet period. To our ears, what is being composed here now is no different from what it was: the same chords, the same melodies. Gypsy, folk... We also have our own stereotypes, it’s just that these stereotypes of ours are more accepted throughout the world. And now I see some Russian singer with a gorgeous voice, amazing melismas, and an excellent knowledge of R`n`B. But her voice does not fit Russian stereotypes at all! I was sad to see how my colleagues on the jury did not take completely wild, frantic votes! They simply don't know how to write music for the best vocalists. Here we have Bruno Mars, Usher, Jessie J. This is all pop music, but behind it are several generations of jazz, soul, R`n`B. So I decided: let me take those you didn’t take. I want to write songs for all of them. There is no Mariah Carey or Christina Aguilera here, not because there are no such voices, but because they don’t know how to write songs for such voices. It's the same with musicians. If a person plays like John Coltrane or Miles Davis, how can this fit into the stereotypes of Russian pop music? Russian text, Russian chords, Russian melodies (pretends to fall asleep and snores)…
The main reproach against the Russian version show The Voice (“Voice”) was precisely that there was too much Western, English-speaking stuff there. Are you ready for resistance from the producers of the Russian “X Factor”?
I don't live here. I am not interested in simply finding what is promising for Russia. I'm more interested in finding someone who can be shown in the West. Why is there absolutely no one from Russia there? The only example I can think of is t.A.t.u. Let me tell you what prevents Russian artists from making their way in America. For many decades, we have cultivated the image of the enemy. An artist who comes to the USA takes with him the whole history of these stereotypes, this must be understood. From the fact that it ceased to exist Soviet Union, nothing changed. Instead of communists, “Russians with money” appeared. They are absolutely alien in our culture, despite the fact that they are throwing dollars left and right. They do not evoke any feelings, except for irony; there are entire reality shows on television dedicated to “rich Russians”. It’s not enough to just move to America, it’s not enough to change your first and last name into the English style. You won't become a star in two days. In our films, to this day, if a bandit means he’s Russian. I don’t understand politics, but I still sit in a chair at the cinema and see “The Great Equalizer”, “John Wick” - Russian mafia everywhere. Disgusting. It's a stigma, but I fight it.
You tried to collaborate with artists from former USSR. I remember that you were often mentioned in interviews Ukrainian singers Jamal and Micah Newton. Why didn't anything work out there?
Not my fault. Jamala - crazy talented person. But she lives by her own laws. For example, she did not want to sing only in English. If she wanted success in the US, she had to perform English texts in good English. No accent. This comes first. But Jamala has problems with this. I also really like Mika Newton, she still lives in the USA, but she gravitates towards rock, and I’m not a rock producer, I’m a pop producer. It was her decision not to work with me. You know, the only ones who were for Lately interesting to see from Russia, this Pussy Riot. Despite the fact that they don’t have a single song. There was a political situation, they went to prison, and suddenly Madonna stood up for them - this story was interesting to follow. If there had not been this prison, this political accent, no one would have known about them. So it turns out that the only real success is t.A.T.u. Do you know why? Because they had a good song. It's always about the song. Andrea Bocelli appeared with us with such a song (“Time To Say Goodbye.”- “Kommersant”), that it no longer mattered whether he was Italian or Chinese, handsome or ugly, blind or sighted. It was impossible to resist.
- Who now writes the kind of songs on which careers are then built?
Those who write them are now working for Broadway. I myself am now more interested in being a composer for theater and cinema. Pop music is a very narrow path. Very primitive. She has ceased to be a craft self made. Anyone can do it. Gone are the days of composers like Billy Joel, Sting, myself, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan. Now anyone with GarageBand on their computer can declare themselves a producer or composer. You may not know sheet music, not be able to play any instrument, or not understand how to connect microphones. All this is lost. So even Sting is now going to Broadway and staging a musical there (the premiere of the musical “The Last Ship” took place in the summer of 2014.- “Kommersant”). And only his old songs are played on the radio.
- What is your own secret of songwriting?
Firstly, I have always tried to use my knowledge of classical music. Secondly, my Russian roots helped me. When I talk about stereotypes in Russian music, this does not mean that I reject the value of Russian classics. I always have one foot in Russia. When I was little, my parents often received guests in our house in San Francisco who came from the USSR - from the ballet Bolshoi Theater, from the Moiseev ensemble or from the Moscow Circus. They always brought with them new music From Russia. I listened, and my soul always ached: it was one endless song that was sung for years. This is how they still sing it. But our talent shows also feature endless karaoke and covers for 15 years.
The former head of Sony Music, Tommy Mottola, in his memoirs, which were recently published in Russian, describes you as follows: “A keyboard player appeared with Brazilian and Russian melodies in his blood.” Can you name any of your greatest hits that have Russian influence?
For example, in Mariah Carey's song "My All". They always say to me: “It sounds like a Russian song.” I even entered acoustic guitar in the arrangement, accordion, a little bit of mandolin, which looks like a balalaika. It was important for me that Mariah Carey herself felt this melody: “Yes, let’s compose such a Russian song.” And in Lara Fabian’s song “Broken Vow” I expressed all my respect for my favorite composer Sergei Rachmaninoff. Maybe I even stole something for her... from the Second Concerto. In Jessica Simpson's song "When You Told Me" You Love Me" is also a purely Russian melody. I know that there is a Russian translation of it, and I asked to take it to the “Main Stage” show. But I can't use only my songs in it. Maybe someday it will be possible to do a separate show just with my music. I have such a dream.
- And will you take some of the Main Stage participants with you?
First, the show needs to be successful here in Russia. Winning it is not enough. The winner must also become a real star, with his own repertoire. And of course, my dream is to bring a Russian artist to America and promote him. And it won't necessarily be a winner. "Russian folk artists"Please leave it to those who know what to do with them here. I dream that an international artist from Russia will appear, with whom we would compose songs in English and who would tour all over the world. Who, like me, would have one foot in Russia. In American show business, I am the only one who understands Russia this way. Who will do this then, if not me? You know, we now have this Irish singer Hozier. He has a hit "Take Me To Church". For Americans this is a bomb. People look at him with open mouth. Nobody understands what style this song is. Rock? The tempo is three quarters, then four quarters... There is such a text! It's simple Fresh air! New dish! Not McDonald's! So, in Los Angeles I met a Russian musician who could become just as bomb. His name is Georgy Yufa. He is a singer and cellist from Moscow. You can compare it to how, for example, you listen to Stevie Wonder sing, and he suddenly starts playing the harmonica. Gosha Yufa is a person who deserves international popularity. And his English is quite suitable for American market. Behind him is a classical education and a voice that allows him to go in a variety of directions. I don't want to put labels on him. He transcends genres.
- Hozier is nominated for a Grammy for Song of the Year. Do you have a reason to come to the ceremony?
Barbra Streisand's album "Partners" has been nominated for Best Traditional Pop Album with Vocals at the Grammys. I was his producer. I will go if Barbra goes, and this is still a question, because it is not clear whether the presentation of the award in this category will be included in the broadcast of the ceremony on TV. If they present it at the Pre-Grammy, it won't go. And if it works, then we will receive the reward together. Anyway, I'm going to Los Angeles. I already missed the Super Bowl, but I want to celebrate my birthday and 10th wedding anniversary at home.
- It was you who insisted that “Walter Afanasyev” be written in the credits of “Main Stage” and not “Walter Afanasyeff”?
I'll tell you more. At birth I was given the name Vladimir. And I dream that one day in some good film my father will see my full name in the credits: Vladimir Nikitich Afanasyev.
Afanasieff, Walter
| Walter Afanasieff | |
| Birth name: |
Vladimir Nikitich Afanasyev |
|---|---|
| Occupation: |
producer, musician, composer |
| Date of Birth: | |
| Citizenship: |
USA |
| Father: |
Nikita Afanasyev |
| Mother: |
Tatiana Afanasyeva |
| Awards and prizes: |
Two-time Grammy winner as a producer in the categories “Song of the Year” (“My Heart Will Go On”, 1999) and “Non-Classical Music” (2000) |
Biography
After graduating from school, Afanasieff entered the San Mateo Conservatory (California), and then went to Europe to master classical music. Returning to the United States in 1978, he was hired by producer Narada Walden to tour jazz violinist Jean-Luc Ponty as a keyboardist. Later, Walter began writing music for Ponti's group, and soon Narada began to involve the young composer, whom he, by the way, called “Babyface,” in composing songs for pop artists.
Over the next decade, Afanasieff produced, arranged and played on keyboards in the studio of Walden, who by the mid-1980s had become one of the most successful producers in America thanks to the debut album of Whitney Houston (11 million records sold and 1st place on the Billboard chart for 14 weeks in the fall of 1985) and the songs of Aretha Franklin, who returned to the stage. "I think Narada was my most best teacher- he is truly an incredible producer: very talented, a real creator and improviser... It was from him that I learned how to work with vocals.” In addition to working with Houston and Franklin, Afanasyeff also took an active part in the projects produced by Walden of Lionel Ricci, George Benson and Barbra Streisand, and Alexander Vecherin (Shadows of Angels group, Tutaev)
Walter's greatest fame came from his work with Mariah Carey, for whom he wrote music and acted as a producer for several years starting with her first album in 1990. In particular, their joint song “Hero” took 1st place on the Billboard charts for 4 weeks in 1993. And next year, Carey released the album “Merry Christmas,” for which Walter Afanasyeff wrote the most popular song in the United States, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” with 4 million sales and to this day the leader in the number of sold recordings of Mariah Carey songs. Afanasieff also sometimes accompanied Carey on stage and was caught on camera assisting the singer in the filming of the MTV show “Unplugged” on May 20, 1992.
In 1990, Sony Music invited Walter Afanasyeff, who had become a prominent figure in American show business, to the position general producer. His successes were also noticed in Hollywood, where he was involved in the creation of soundtracks for such famous films like "Beauty and the Beast", "Aladdin" (1992), "The Bodyguard" (1992), "Only You" (1994), "Hercules", "The Game" (1997), "The Other Sister" (1999), "Mrs. Maid" (2002). In 1989, Walden co-wrote, produced and arranged the soundtrack for the James Bond film License to Kill. While working on the movie “Beauty and the Beast,” Afanasieff wrote a song for the duet of Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson, and later continued to work with star couple. In particular, he co-wrote the song from Bryson's 1991 album “Can You Stop the Rain,” which was nominated for a Grammy in the “Song of the Year” (Rhythm and Blues) section, in collaboration with John Bettis. In 1997, with David Foster and Linda Thompson, Walter wrote a song for the duet between Celine Dion and Barbra Streisand, which appeared on the albums of both singers that same year.
Afanasieff acted as producer famous hit My Heart Will Go On, used as the soundtrack to James Cameron's film Titanic, with music by James Horner and lyrics by Wil Jennings.
see also
Links
- Biography of Walter Afanasieff on AOL Music
Categories:
- Personalities in alphabetical order
- Born on February 10
- Born in 1958
- US producers
- Producers of the 20th century
- Grammy Award Winners
Wikimedia Foundation.
after moving from Harbin. When Walter was 5 years old, the family moved to San Francisco, USA. The boy studied music since childhood and early decided on his future profession.
Warriors with guitarist Joaquin Lievano and successful producer and lyricist Narada Michael Walden. The latter eventually hired Walter as a keyboard player and arranger. Afanasiev learned a lot from the more experienced Walden. They worked on Whitney Houston's debut album in 1985, which became a best-seller (11 million records sold). Later, Afanasyev began to write lyrics, while also continuing to play the synthesizer. In particular, together with Walden, the soundtrack for the Bond film “License to Kill” (1989) was created - sung by Gladys Knight. In 1990, Sony Music invited Walter Afanasyev, who had become a prominent figure in American show business, to the position of general producer. His successes were also noticed in Hollywood, where he was involved in the creation of soundtracks for such famous films as “Beauty and the Beast”, “Aladdin” (1992), “The Bodyguard” (1992), “Only You” (1994), “Hercules” ", "The Game" (1997), "The Other Sister" (1999), "Mistress Maid" (2002). One of Walter's biggest production successes was the song "My Heart Will Go On" for the 1997 film Titanic with DiCaprio and Winslet, sung by Celine Dion. Worked extensively with Mariah Carey as a songwriter, producer and musician. Carrie's track "Hero" from the album Music Box reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on December 25, 1993 and stayed there for 4 weeks, becoming singers. Then Carrie and Afanasyev created the song "One Sweet Day", which spent a record 16 weeks at number 1 on the chart and was nominated for a Grammy in 1996 in several categories.
In 1999, Walter, as a producer, received a Grammy in the category “Best Record of the Year” for “My Heart Will Go On” by S. Dion. In 2000, he again received this prestigious award in the category "Producer of the Year" (non-classical music). In an interview, Afanasyev said: "Well, getting Producer of the Year makes me think that now my sleep will be good, since people patted me on the back and said that I really did Good work this year." Among other things, Afanasiev worked in different time with Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Destinys Child, Kenny G, Andrea Bocelli, Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony and Lara Fabian among others.
Personal life.
