03.04.2009.

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S A G A

Slightly better than casual recognition in their own country, but superstar status in Europe is the story of Saga. Formed from the core of Fludd, bassist Jim Chricton, Peter Rachon on keyboards and drummer Steve Negus recruited Chricton's younger brother Ian on guitars. Pockets was born. The group toured the local Toronto area doing bars for a few months until singer Michael Sadler left a local group called Truck to become their frontman. His vocal stylings blended with their progressive yet eclectic sound. It wasn't long before the group was noticed by Maze Records and signed to a deal shortly thereafter. Recorded by Paul Gross at Toronto's Phase One Studios, their self-titled debut was released in '78 and was instantly met with rave reviews for their tight, sophisticated approach. Though the single, "How Long" failed to make an impression on the charts here, it received constant airplay in Britain and Germany. Also heavy on the charts overseas was "Humble Stance". Gross returned as producer for the next project. IMAGES AT TWILIGHT came out a year later and again was met favourably by the critics. With new keyboardist Greg Chadd, "It's Time" and "See Them Smile" did receive airplay in the Toronto area, but both failed to make much of an impression anywhere else in North America. Again though, the band's hard-edged guitar sound mixed with progressive keyboard rhythms were more appreciated in Europe, sparking an overseas tour.

1980 saw the release of SILENT KNIGHT. Maturity showed in the writing, evidenced by "Don't Be Late" becoming their first gold single. New keyboardist Jim Gilmour also brought a new element to the songwriting process. Even so, the album still failed to garner the success they already enjoyed in Europe. So again the band spent a good deal of their time touring England and Germany venturing into the former eastern block countries, in support of other radio hits there such as "Help Me Out" and "Careful Where You Step". Their breakthrough album in North America came in the form of 1981's WORLDS APART. Produced by Rupert Hine, whose credits included The Fixx, Howard Jones, Thompson Twins, Chris DeBurgh, Tina Turner and Stevie Nicks, it instantly saw "On The Loose" go platinum followed by "Amnesia" and "Wind Him Up", the tale of an obsessive gambler. The album also saw Gilmour sing lead on "No Regrets". A more commercially acceptable sound supported a North American tour, but for the most part, Europe was their bread and butter...www.canadianbands.com




"Saga" (1978):*
01. How Long 02. Humble Stance 03. Climbing The Ladder 04. Will It Be You (Chapter Four) 05. The Perfectionist 06. Give'em The Money 07. Ice Nice 08. Tired World (Chapter Six)

"Images At Twilight" (1979):*
01. It's Time! (Chapter III) 02. See Them Smile 03. Slow Motion 04. You're Not Alone 05. Take It or Leave It 06. Images (Chapter I) 07. Hot to Cold 08. Mouse I A Maze

"Silent Knight" (1980):*
01. Don't Be Late (Chapter II) 02. What's It Gonna Be 03. Time To Go 04. Compromise 05. Too Much To Lose (Chapter VII) 06. Help Me Out 07. Someone Should 08. Careful Where You Step

"Words Apart" (1981):*
01. On The Loose 02. Times Up 03. Wind Him Up 04. Amnesia 05. Framed 06. The Interview 07. No Regrets (Chapter Five) 08. Conversations 09. No Stranger (Chapter Eight)