The Valdons

Hailing from early-1970s Minneapolis, MN, The Valdons lit up the local scene with a sound that was both smooth and subtly gritty. The group disbanded before reaching a wider audience, with members going on to form two new acts: The Philadelphia Story and Band Of Thieves. In 2012, backed by Sonny Knight & The Lakers and produced by Cy Pierpont (Pierpont & Helgeson, Ace Box Shift, The Hi-Bridge Band, Dérobé Dance Band), Secret Stash Records reintroduced The Valdons to the world. Original members Clifton Curtis, Maurice Young, and Monroe Wright III reunited with labelmate Sonny Knight rounding out the lineup for a recording session engineered by John Miller that would yield "Whatcha Gonna Do," "Stop, Wait a Minute Girl," and "Just How Much Can One Man Stand." The revival began when Wright discovered rare demo and rehearsal tapes from 1971. Rather than reinventing their sound, these demos served as a faithful reference to finish what was started decades ago—guiding both The Valdons and The Lakers in crafting arrangements that honor the initial vision. The enduring soul in these sessions resonate with fans of classic lowrider soul oldies and northern soul, cementing The Valdons as legends in Minneapolis’ deep musical legacy.