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SAGA
a
Michael Sadler
Ian & Jim Crichton
Jim Gilmour
Steve Negus
Brian Doerner
is a progressive rock quinteet, formed in Canada. Their self-titled debut album Saga was released in June, 1978. The next two albums, Images at Twilight (1979) and Silent Knight (1980) saw the group climb in the European album charts. They opened for U.S. supergroup Styx in France and Germany, where Saga proved more popular. "It's Time" became their first domestic hit single, reaching the Top 10 after its release. In Canada, touring with Rush made them better known in their native land.
Formerly known as Pockets in Toronto, Saga was re-named after the multi-song cycle that was released in pieces ("Chapters") on their first four albums. In 1999, they returned to the chapter concept for another three albums. These chapters have been performed live throughout the band's extensive touring career.
Saga have had their share of detractors, but their fans have remained extremely loyal over the decades. Their unique use of keyboards often involves three members playing synthesizers onstage. Owing to their powerful -- not to say bombastic style, Saga has also been a major influence on similar American progressive rock and prog-metal bands, from Queensryche to Dream Theater.
Bassist-keyboardist Jim Crichton (b. 1953) and Welsh-born vocalist Michael Sadler (b. 1954) have been the principal songwriters for Saga. Ian Crichton (b. 1956) is considered one of the most underrated rock guitarists, having recorded several solo albums and sessions with supergroup Asia. The band's longtime keyboardist, Jim "Daryl" Gilmour (b. 1958), replaced Peter Rochon in 1980. Recently, Steve Negus (b.1952) announced his retirement as Saga's original drummer. He has since been replaced by Christian Simpson.
Their most famous album, Worlds Apart (1981) became a gold album in the United States, generating massive MTV exposure. The anthem "On The Loose," became a major Top-40 hit, while "Wind Him Up", a song about compulsive gambling, also received airplay. "Worlds Apart" also benefited from the production ofRupert Hine, although Jim Crichton later took over the band's studio phase.
Unfortunately, neither 1983's "Heads or Tales," nor 1985's "Behaviour" solidified their earlier achievements. The former is considered a fan favorite, with Jim Gilmour singing the lead on "Scratching the Surface." "The Flyer" also gained some radio exposure in 1984, but failed as a follow-up to "On The Loose." "Behaviour" barely dented the charts, with the band touring the United States for the last time to date. An ill-advised pop single, "What Do I Know?" fared even worse than "The Flyer." Nonetheless, the rollicking "Take a Chance" has remained a fan favorite well into the band's career. The fickle nature of American musical tastes, plus the band's constant shifts between recording labels, may well have undermined Saga's promising foothold in the U.S. The 1985-86 "Misbehaviour" tour has been their last to date in America.
In 1986, Steve Negus and Jim Gilmour left Saga amicably, recording as the Gilmour-Negus Project (GNP). Meanwhile, Saga continued with Michael Sadler and the brothers Crichton, augmented by session musicians. The disappointing "Wildest Dreams" (1987) enjoyed better distribution under Atlantic Records, but it failed to match expectations. The Police inspired single, "Only Time Will Tell," marked Saga's last stab at American Top-40 charts. Thereafter, Saga concentrated on making European albums, such as 1989's "The Beginner's Guide to Throwing Shapes," which marked a return to their earlier form.
In 1993, Steve Negus and Jim Gilmour returned to Saga, recording the band's "comeback" album, at least where Canada and Europe were concerned. "The Security of Illusion" restored the faith of many Saga followers. However, "Steel Umbrellas" (1994) was considered uneven when compared to "Security." Yet, the 1993-94 European tours proved that the band members had not lost their edge as live performers.
In 1995, Jim Crichton composed and produced the majority of Saga's finest album, the conceptual Generation 13. Inspired by a popular political treatise by the same name, the story follows Jeremy's troubled search for his real father. The concept is reminiscent of Jimmy's quest for cultural identity in The Who'sQuadrophenia, almost a North American interpretation. But the heavier musical compositions sound like Rush and vintage Kansas, with Michael Sadler's best vocal performances on the more nuanced tracks. What Gen 13 may have lacked in originality, it made up for in the overall production.
Saga released the lackluster Pleasure and the Pain on the eve of their 20th anniversary tour in 1997. Fans considered the album a new low in the band's career, but the 1998 tour was captured on "Detours," a solid double-live album released worldwide. Three recent albums, Full Circle (1999), House of Cards, (2001) and Marathon (2003) have been much better received. House of Cards seems to have particularly enjoyed renewed interest. Its acoustic-flavored single, "Money Talks" received Top 5 video airplay in Canada. All three albums have included new "chapters," representing a return to the progressive rock of yore, albeit with Jim Crichton's cutting edge production giving it a modern touch that could appeal to younger music fans.
Saga released a new studio album, Network, in the fall of 2004 and a double Live Album "Chapters Live" in 2005.
Their next album, "Trust", was released in 2006, featuring Brian Doerner as their new drummer. Doerner made his debut on a live Canadian television Broadcast in late 2005. "Trust" is one of their best albums in many years according to fans and people in the music business.
Even though Jim Crichton and Michael Sadler both live in the Los Angeles area, they have not committed SAGA to any full-length American tours since 1986. However, in late 2005, Michael Sadler announced a limited tour on the West Coast to promote his solo album, "Clear". The trek featured Ian Crichton as touring guitarist. SAGA also played one show in New York City during their summer 2006 tour in support of Trust.
In mid January 2007, Michael Sadler announced that he's leaving SAGA by the end of the year - a year where SAGA can celebrate their 30th year's anniversary.
ALBUMS
Saga (1978)
Images at Twilight (1979)
Silent Knight (1980)
Worlds Apart (1981)
In Transit (Live) (1982)
Heads or Tales (1983)
Behaviour (1985)
Wildest Dreams (1987)
The Beginner's Guide to Throwing Shapes (1989)
The Works (Best of) (1991)
The Security of Illusion (1993)
Steel Umbrellas (1994)
Defing Moments vol. 1 (Best of) (1994)
The Very Best of... (Best of) (1994)
Generation 13 (1995)
The Saga Softworks (CD-ROM) (1995)
Pleasure & the Pain (1997)
Phase 1 ('78 demo's) (1997)
Detours (Live) (1998)
Full Circle (1999)
House of Cards (2001)
Marathon (2003)
Network (2004)
The Chapters Live (Live) (2005)
Remember When - The Very Best of Saga (Best of) (2006)
Trust (2006)
Worlds Apart Revisited (Live) (2007)
10.000 Days (2007)
DVD's
Silhouette (2003)
Marathon World Tour 2003 [The Official Bootleg] (2003)
All Areas - Live in Bonn 2002 (2004)
Worlds Apart Revisited (2007)