People like Steinman, Lange and Rundgren help compose the songs, play parts (like Bob Rock playing bass on Metallica’s St. Anger) as well as produce - for all intents and purposes they have become a member of the band. My producer friend did this with Tricky, the rapper from Massive Attack who made Maxinquaye, and well-respected mid-90’s hip hop/trip hop album.
If that is the relatinship, then sure, the producer is much more of a driving force. I would say that that is different from being more of a coach and recorder, helping an artist learn to trust their artistic direction and simplify their sound, which most good producers try to do…