VALDY-The Documentary 1981

I first met Valdy in 1970 while I was 'switching' the CTV rock series 'Come Together' in Calgary. (He said he'd been asked to join the band SPRING at the time).
We next met in 1973 when my little family were moving to Winnipeg in a 1967 VW bus with flowers on it, and we broke down on the Trans-Canada Highway. Valdy stopped and helped us get on our way.
When I got to Winnipeg, the CTV series I was directing, 'The Canadian West', had the theme song performed and written by Valdy.
In 1981, while at CBC Vancouver, I directed and produced this doc with Valdy in Victoria and Saltspring Island.
The doc was shot on film, not video. The cameraman Gundar Lipsbergs and I, along with editor Paul Wong put it together. John Daley was the voice.
I seem to have connected with Valdemar Horsdal over those years.
He's kinda cool...NO...he's VERY cool!

[@johntechwriter]

I am just now learning Valdy grew up in Ottawa. We're around the same age and I'm from 40 miles away from that city. Yet I don't recall seeing him at Le Hibou or other local folkie hangouts. He must have gone west pretty early. I ended up on the West Coast too, first in Vancouver and later, the San Francisco Bay Area. I'm sure that like me, he misses the fall in the Ottawa Valley, with the magnificent turning of the maples. Valdy is a down to earth guy with a gift for composing catchy melodies and lyrics. He is not overly impressed with himself, and that is a blessing. Probably his greatest gift as a musician is his ability to make his guitar sound like a background orchestra. Thousands of hours on the road, playing unaccompanied, have resulted in a relaxed, almost breezy, very competent solo performer. He's written some hits that will be forever cherished by his fans and their progeny. He was a bit of a star when they made this doc back in 1981. Probably he would not be recognized on the street these days. And I'm sure that is just fine with him. He's still kickin, still loved by many, and as far as I know, still lives a simple life. By hard work and careful planning, and with the support of a wonderful life partner, Valdy has made the most of his gifts and remains a keen observer of the human condition.

[@sammycircle]

I once met 2 guys sitting on a bench at a folk festival in Ingersoll Ontario and talked to them for over an hour.........it was Valdy and Murray Mcglaughclin and I never forgot how down to earth Valdy was.....left a lifetime impression on me.thanks for this upload Tony.

[@squatch545]

I met Valdy in the 1980s on a commercial flight from Calgary to Vancouver. He was quiet, shy and very personable. Once passengers realized who he was and started gathering around him, he came out of his shell and started telling great stories, most of them funny. He had everyone, including the flight attendants, in stitches.

[@mgailthiessen]

I first met, and came to know Valdy in 1980, in Watson Lake, Yukon, where I was living at the time. I knew Valdy's mother, Lillian, when she was working as an expediter for George Dalziel, Hunting Guide/Outfitter. Valdy came "home" on occasion, and my most vivid memory of him was giving a free concert one beautiful evening at the Watson Lake Ball Park. "The Story of Peter and Lou" is my all-time favorite, and after that, "The Sounds of Silence".

[@vaughnsalem]

Valdy has been around a long time ,,no matter what happens,he is a time machine of life,,positive songs bring me back,,,a Canadian Hero

[@Momcat_maggiefelinefan]

I saw this great man in a hockey arena in Schumacher, Ontario. Can’t remember exactly when that was, but my son was born in 1976, and I was kidless when I saw Valdy. Owned the albums, and still do all these years later. If he ever tours around my home in southeastern Ontario, near Kingston, I’d drop everything to see him again. 🇨🇦🖖🏻🇨🇦

[@johnmcculloch1751]

Few can engage an audience like Valdy! Truly an amazing musician and human being :)

[@RETIREMESOON]

Growing up in Sudbury I used to go see Dan Hill and my brothers were into this Valdy guy at Laurentian University. Then I decided to move west for half the year to Saltspring and Vanisle and I saw some clips on Valdy and began to listen to this Valdy guy. I had struggled with Bipolar and I found that dogs and Valdy's music are like medicine to me. His energy and voice brings me a calm I have rarely known. I sit in the sun and watch the birds bath in our garden with Valdy playing in my Bipolar mind and I smile because I'm finally at peace.

[@billhamilton2366]

This guy is pure gold and my girlfriend has accused me of stalking Valdy but the truth is, I just can't get enough of his music. I have been a fan since 1970..

[@TheTonywade]

A good man.

[@cliffordparmeter6940]

One of the best Canadian singer I ever heard.. a great song writer....

[@art4ever565]

We had a quick chat in the Snug in Victoria 1981. As a coast to coast Canadian artist and troubadour you capture life's immediate thoughts, dreams and day to day moments more than anyone. Thank you.

[@gmanus1]

A breath of fresh air...a master of chord progressions and voice control Art at it's best

[@doughunter3967]

a fine man,someone we can be very proud of especially as Canadians!! I am grateful for his dedication , beliefs and his family's patience and sacrifices for Valdy's time. sincerely doug

[@tinishadaigle7868]

One of my favourite musicians! Thanks for sharing this !!

[@dustbuster63]

First seen him in the summer of '82 or '83 at the Flin Flon Folk Festival in Flin Flon Mb. Never did seen him performing on stage but in a equipment shed jammin with a few friends near the concert site. Just picked up tickets the other day to finally see him on Vancouver Island B.C. 😊

[@orvilleboutilier381]

Thanks so much for posting this important piece of music history. Valdy is a national treasure.

[@barontaylor7139]

He was in an episode of the Beachcombers called Halibut Stu where he basically played himself.

[@TheTonywade]

Great story. Thanks!

[@mkiemele]

Wow! Thanks very much for this. Great stuff from one of my favourite pickers.

[@dirtboy123100]

Ottawa music legend !!!!

[@westmeathguy]

Nice going Tony!

[@jonnynevada8915]

Its funny because the first time I herd Rock & Roll song as a youngster in 1973 ,, I actually thought it was Kenny Rogers & The First Edition.. 😆

[@westmeathguy]

That's funny! I thought "You Picked a Fine Time to Leave Me Loucille" was Valdy the first time I heard it on the radio!

[@tomadams9833]

Kenny Rogers and the First Edition actually included this in their live shows around late '72 or early '73.

[@moemimouni679]

THE BEST 😮.

[@sammycircle]

You are welcome Tony.

[@user-ht4gb2fw4e]

He is a "Northman" and I hope he's proud of that.

[@terryanderson1488]

2nd guitarist looks like John Denver :)

[@JivinJane]

Is that Norm MacPherson at 3:14? We all hung out together in Victoria. Long, long ago.

[@TheTonywade]

+JivinJane I don't know. Can't remember... :(

[@orvilleboutilier381]

Yes, that is Norm MacPherson.

[@mrwheeaboo8191]

Thats my name,my name vivaldy (my nickname was valdy)

[@barontaylor7139]

Isn't his wife Kathleen?

[@stayinalive9434]

Ibou where are you?