Wally Safford

Wallace "Wally" Safford, born on November 10, 1959, in Detroit, passed away on September 9, 2022, in Southfield, Michigan. A multifaceted talent, Safford distinguished himself as a bodyguard, dancer, and background vocalist, most notably through his collaborations with the iconic musician Prince from 1984 to 1987. In 2019, he co-authored a memoir titled "Wally, Where'd You Get Those Glasses? My Life Through the Lens from Parliament, Pendergrass & Prince" with Margena A. Christian.

Growing up in Detroit, Wally was raised in a culturally rich environment, with family ties to prominent figures such as Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, and Muhammad Ali. He initially trained with the Nation of Islam and later ventured into personal security, becoming a bodyguard for major acts during the Motown era, including Teddy Pendergrass and Earth, Wind & Fire. His connection to Prince began with the "Purple Gang," where he provided security for the artist starting in the early 1980s.

Safford's performance career flourished as he transitioned to dancing, notably appearing as a backing dancer during the "Baby I'm A Star" segment of the Purple Rain Tour and at the 1985 Grammy Awards, where Prince won three accolades. He contributed to several music videos and live performances, including the Parade Tour and the Sign "O" The Times Tour, where he created the memorable 'Detroit Crawl' dance. His legacy continues to resonate, particularly with the release of the "Sign 'O' The Times Super Deluxe Editions," which featured his background vocals on unreleased tracks.