Saga (CA)
Biography
**Saga**
In the grand pantheon of progressive rock's unsung heroes, few bands have maintained such steadfast dedication to their craft while remaining perpetually on the cusp of mainstream recognition as Canada's Saga. Born from the fertile musical landscape of Oakville, Ontario in 1977, this quintet would go on to forge a distinctive sound that married the cerebral complexity of prog with the accessibility of new wave, creating something uniquely their own in an era when such hybrid approaches were considered commercial suicide.
The band's genesis can be traced to the meeting of minds between keyboardist Jim Gilmour and guitarist Ian Crichton, two classically trained musicians who shared a vision of rock music that could be both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. Joined by bassist Jim Crichton (Ian's brother), drummer Steve Negus, and the distinctive vocals of Michael Sadler, Saga quickly established themselves as purveyors of what would become known as "keyboard rock" – a sound characterised by Gilmour's swooping synthesiser lines, the Crichton brothers' tight rhythmic foundation, and Sadler's soaring, theatrical delivery.
Their 1978 self-titled debut album introduced the world to Saga's peculiar brand of science fiction-tinged progressive rock, complete with conceptual storylines and intricate instrumental passages. However, it was their sophomore effort, "Images at Twilight" (1979), that truly announced their arrival. The album's centrepiece, "Don't Be Late," became an unexpected radio hit, its urgent synthesiser riff and cryptic lyrics about temporal displacement striking a chord with audiences hungry for something more substantial than the prevailing disco zeitgeist.
The early 1980s proved to be Saga's golden period. "Silent Knight" (1980) and "Worlds Apart" (1981) showcased a band hitting their creative stride, with tracks like "On the Loose" and "Wind Him Up" demonstrating their ability to craft memorable hooks without sacrificing their progressive sensibilities. The latter album spawned their biggest international hit, "On the Loose," which climbed charts across Europe and established them as unlikely MTV darlings during the channel's formative years.
"Heads or Tales" (1983) represented perhaps their most cohesive artistic statement, a concept album exploring themes of choice and consequence through the metaphor of a coin toss. The record's success in Germany was particularly pronounced, beginning a love affair between Saga and European audiences that would sustain the band through leaner periods in their North American homeland. This transatlantic appreciation wasn't merely commercial – European critics consistently praised Saga's sophisticated arrangements and refusal to dumb down their material for mass consumption.
The mid-1980s brought both triumph and tribulation. "Behaviour" (1985) and "Wildest Dreams" (1987) saw the band experimenting with more contemporary production techniques, sometimes at the expense of their progressive roots. While purists grumbled, these albums contained some of their most enduring material, including "What Do I Know?" and the title track from "Wildest Dreams," both of which became staples of their increasingly elaborate live performances.
Saga's concert presentations became legendary affairs, incorporating theatrical elements, elaborate lighting, and extended instrumental showcases that highlighted each member's technical prowess. Their 1987 "Wildest Dreams World Tour" was captured on the live album "In Transit," which many consider the definitive document of their stage power. The recording showcases a band at the peak of their performance abilities, with Sadler's voice in particularly fine form and the rhythm section locked in telepathic communication.
The 1990s brought lineup changes, with Sadler departing in 1986 (though he would return) and various musicians rotating through the drum chair. Despite these upheavals, albums like "The Beginner's Guide to Throwing Shapes" (1989) and "Steel Umbrellas" (1994) maintained the band's commitment to melodic sophistication and lyrical intelligence. Their influence during this period was perhaps most evident in the emerging neo-progressive movement, with bands like Marillion and IQ citing Saga as a crucial influence on their own keyboard-driven approaches.
The new millennium has seen Saga embrace their elder statesman status while continuing to record and tour regularly. Albums like "Marathon" (2003) and "The Chapters Live" (2005) demonstrated that their creative fires remained undiminished, while their induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2018 provided long-overdue recognition of their
