Can-Con 45 Of The Day - October 12

[radiofan]

Today's Can-Con 45 is from 1972 ... the first hit single for Valdy ... "Rock And Roll Song" ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpgYUhgbFAk

[Richard Skelly]

Here's some fun for the weekend. Google the (slightly) differently titled 'Rock And Roll Song original demo Valdy 1969'. You'll be directed to LiveVan.com. Hit play and experience the almost-released first version of what would later become the well known 1972 Valdy hit.

That Canadian hit version was produced in Los Angeles by ex-Chilliwack cofounder Claire Lawrence. But almost three years earlier, it was Terry Jacks who first recognized the budding talent of Valdemar Horsdal after the Ottawa folkie moved West. It was after being alternately ignored or booed at the 1968 Aldergrove Rock Festival that Valdy licked his wounds by composing the song. (Nothing like stoned and/or drunken louts yelling "Thank God he's leaving" to spur either creativity or despair.)

Valdy had settled in Victoria where he actually did play some rock music, plunking bass in a house band that reportedly included David Foster at one time. Valdy ferried to Vancouver for the '69 Jacks-supervised sessions.

Hard to tell if it would have done better than the 1972 Haida recording we all know and love. Timing wise, it might have had a better chance of being topical. Post-Woodstock and pre-Altamont, rock festivals were all the rage yet ripe for gentle pushback. Norm McPherson's countryish guitar licks dominate Rock And Roll Song. Like any Terry Jacks production it also has a danceable beat. A titch of tinkling piano and hints of folk scat by Valdy highlight the last section.

According to Terry Jacks insiders, the recording was mastered onto an acetate, ready for pressing. London Records had an assigned serial number for the forthcoming 45. London was, not coincidentally, home of The Poppy Family featuring Terry and Susan Jacks. Alas, the serial number, like the single itself, never saw the light of day.

Disputes arose with Valdy or his manager over song publishing. Terry wanted it for his own company. Stymied, he opted to scuttle the release. The serial number was never reassigned by London.

Much later, Valdy signed with Haida Records. The fledgling label was owned by ex-Chilliwack manager Keith Lawrence. He is the brother of multi-instrumentalist Claire Lawrence. A cofounder of Chilliwack, Claire had just left that band and become a solo artist on Haida's roster and staff producer for fellow labelmates.

So it was Claire who produced Valdy's debut album in Los Angeles. With title now tweaked to Rock 'N Roll Song, the first single featured session musicians such as destined-for-infamy drummer Jim Gordon. Vancouver guitarist Brett Wade played the fiery lead guitar licks. Brett had lived in LA recording and touring with a later version of psych garage-rockers The Electric Prunes. Along with fellow ex-Prune Richard 'Dick' Whetstone, Brett formed Stallion Thumrock which also was a Haida signing.