Making music in the 1970s

Joyce (Jorgensen) Radcliffe who grew up near New Brigden played with the band known as The Happy Plus during her high school years. The band formed in 1972, providing music for New Brigden and surrounding areas. After graduating in 1974, Joyce moved to Calgary to continue her education but drove home nearly every weekend to play for dances.

Gary and Gloria Jorgensen shared their memories of being in the band. The young married couple. In December, 1973 they found themselves without a drummer, at which time Gary told Gloria “She had a new job”.

They loaded up an old set of drums, but forgot the drumsticks.

The innovative group made a pair out of coat hangers, which Gloria used for her first performance.

The Happy plus played for dances from Calgary to Portage La Prairie and from Edson to Medicine Hat. Many of their first dances were at Sibbald.

The “Happy Plus” group from New Brigden: L-R: Joyce Radcliff, Gary Jorgensen, Clark Huston and Gloria Jorgensen. Photo: From Buffalo Chips to Natural Gas: History of New Brigden