Wally Badarou

Waliou Jacques Daniel Badarou (born 22 March 1955, Paris, France) is a musician from Benin. A synthesizer specialist, Badarou is best known as the longtime associate of the British band Level 42, known for its blend of funk, pop, soul and rock. He has co-written, performed on and (later) co-produced a number of the band's tracks since its debut album in 1981. Though not an official member of Level 42, he has long been considered an informal "fift... more

Waliou Jacques Daniel Badarou (born 22 March 1955, Paris, France) is a musician from Benin. A synthesizer specialist, Badarou is best known as the longtime associate of the British band Level 42, known for its blend of funk, pop, soul and rock. He has co-written, performed on and (later) co-produced a number of the band's tracks since its debut album in 1981. Though not an official member of Level 42, he has long been considered an informal "fifth member" of what has otherwise usually been a quartet led by bassist, Mark King. Badarou can be seen in the video for "Love Games" on the Level 42 - The Collection DVD. A friend of Chris Blackwell (Island Records founder), Badarou also got enlisted in the Compass Point All Stars, to work on albums by Grace Jones, Joe Cocker, Sly and Robbie, Black Uhuru, Jimmy Cliff, Lizzy Mercier Descloux, Gregory Isaacs, Gwen Guthrie, Mick Jagger, Robert Palmer, Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club, but also worked with Marianne Faithfull, Herbie Hancock, Robin Scott... less