Wally Safford

Wallace "Wally" Safford (10 November 1959, Detroit — 9 September 2022, Southfield, Michigan) was an American bodyguard, dancer, and background vocalist primarily known for extensively collaborating with Prince between 1984 and 1987. He published a memoir, "Wally, Where'd You Get Those Glasses? My Life Through the Lens from Parliament, Pendergrass & Prince," co-authored with Margena A. Christian, in 2019.

Safford grew up in Detroit, and his parents were close friends with the Nation of Islam leader Prince directly, starting with the 1999 Tour (November 1982 – April 83).

In mid-November 1984, soon after the Purple Rain Tour launched, Safford began appearing as a backing dancer alongside Anotherloverholenyohead. In August–September 1986, Safford, Benton, and Brooks were dancers and backing vocalists on the Parade Tour.

After The Revolution dissolved, Wally Safford and Greg Brooks continued performing with the unnamed "87–89 Band" — recording backing vocals on "It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night," one of the tracks from the The Lovesexy Band.

In September 2020, The Prince Estate presented Sign "O" The Times Super Deluxe Editions with previously unreleased tracks from the era, including "Soul Psychodelicide" and "The Ball," both featuring Safford's background vocals, and "Wally" (dedicated to him personally).