128 fans
Hailing from Minneapolis in the early 70s, The Valdons lit up the Twin Cities with a soulful, funky sound. Though they earned local acclaim, the band disbanded before reaching a national audience, with members splitting and launching two new groups: The Philadelphia Story and Band Of Thieves.
In 2012, Minneapolis-based Secret Stash Records revived the magic with Twin Cities Funk and Soul, reintroducing The Valdons to the world. Original members Clifton Curtis, Maurice Young, and Monroe Wright III reunited with Secret Stash artist Sonny Knight (of Sonny Knight and The Lakers) to record new material. Backed by Sonny’s band and produced by Eric Foss (aka Cy Pierpont), they unveiled tracks such as Whatcha Gonna Do, Stop, Wait a Minute Girl, and Just How Much Can One Man Stand.
The revival began when Wright discovered raw 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 original vision. Notably, The Lakers, who also backed artists like Wanda Davis and Jack Harris, exemplify the collaborative spirit of Secret Stash Records. The timeless soul and funk in these sessions resonate with fans of lowrider soul oldies, northern soul, and retro groove, cementing The Valdons as icons in Minneapolis’ rich musical legacy.
