JANUARY
I join the Literature Committee for the S.V.H.S. yearbook.
A girl at school inspires me to write the song, Bonnie.
MARCH
I appear as 'Mr Loomis' in the S.V.H.S. production of January Thaw.
Dad tells us that, come summer, we'll be moving to Calgary, Alberta to live.
20 MAY
Friday
I graduate Grade 11 at Saguenay Valley High School and receive my high school leaving certificate.
21 MAY
Saturday
I attend the school graduation banquet with Linda Girard, who inspires me to write the song Linda .
Linda's brother, Ken, attends the banquet with Gerrine Doucet who inspires me to write the song, Gerrine .
There are only 11 Grades in Quebec, and I was glad I didn’t have to go to school anymore. Or so I thought…
JULY
We board a train and cross the vast, sweeping, flat prairies until we arrive in Calgary during Stampede Week. We're lucky to find a motel on 16th Avenue Northwest in which to live for a short while until we can find a home. Around me, I see all kinds of people dressed up as cowboys, some of them even riding horses. It excites me, and I look forward to dressing up! Maybe I’ll be able to ride a horse, too! But then, Stampede Week ends, and everyone returns to their everyday clothes and activities, and those who rode them exchange their horses for automobiles. I’m so disappointed.
At the time, in my naiveté, I thought people in Calgary dressed like cowboys all year round.
Dad obtains a job as an orderly at the Calgary General Hospital.
AUGUST
We rent a house downtown.
Residence:
521 Eau Claire Avenue West
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Many houses in this area of Calgary, including the one we lived in, were later torn down. Office buildings and apartments now stand in this section. Where our house used to be is now part of a parking lot.
AUGUST
Once more, I'm perturbed as I learn from Dad that the Alberta Board of Education won't accept the Quebec standard of education, so I will be forced to take yet another year of schooling.
I join the Musical Theatre of Calgary and we begin rehearsals for Oliver! During rehearsals, an actress—Adele Baker—inspires me to write the song, Adele. Also during rehearsals, I meet Dean Patterson, and we soon become best friends.
13 AUGUST
Saturday
By this time, I have written and composed 513 songs, fourteen of which I submit on a cassette to BMI Records in Toronto for consideration.
SEPTEMBER
I enter Grade 12 at Western Canada High School.
5 OCTOBER
Wednesday
Dad retires from the R.C.A.F.
26 OCTOBER – 5 NOVEMBER
Wednesday - Saturday
I appear as a chorus member in the Musical Theatre of Calgary's production of Oliver!. Dean sings the role of ‘Noah Claypole’ while Adele sings the role of ‘Nancy’.
