| ...the saga of SAGA
SAGA as a band has sold over 8 million recordings and performed in over twenty countries to over 15 million people. They remain at the forefront of the music technology revolution as demonstrated by their partnership with KORG keyboards and their web site: www.saga-world.com , and are known as leaders in developing innovative ways to communicate and interact with their fans.
Admired by professional musicians and fans worldwide, SAGA also been honoured for their distinguished career in music, and for their outstanding Canadian representation.
Not bad, considering how it all began. Not bad at all!
Climbing the Ladder...
For the first live show on June 13th, 1977 at the Tudor Tavern in Cambrige, Ontario, the band had prepared 20 to 30 original songs. Jim Crichton recalls: "It was a big club that holds about 800 people, but there were about 40 people and 25 of them were friends of ours. It was a big night, though!"
Within six months, Michael Sadler, Jim and Ian Crichton, Steve Negus and Peter Rochon had perfected the material that found its way onto their self-titled debut album. After the record was mixed, the only thing left to do was to find a company to distribute it. Instead of asking a record company to sign SAGA, the band offered Polydor Canada the finished product. All they had to do was to make the actual records and sell it. SAGA's debut was released in June, 1978.
Initially the record got little attention in Canada but then one of those fortunate twists of fate occurred that the music industry is renowned for. A European importer picking up Canadian albums for distribution decided to export SAGA's record to Germany. The feedback was huge. The album started gaining a word-of-mouth reputation not only in Germany, but also in countries like Sweden and Holland. Polydor had the record pressed domestically and it went on to sell over 35,000 copies, a phenomenal number, considering the band was completely unknown.
By this time, the band had also mapped out the script for a sixteen-song science fiction story (known as Chapters), to be split among many albums in a non-sequential order.
With international feedback gaining momentum, SAGA returned to the studio to record their second LP 'Images at Twilight', which was released in Canada in October, 1979. 'It's Time' became the bands first ever single and ended up at number 12 in the Canadian charts. Gregg Chadd also replaced keyboard player Peter Rochon. On their third album, 'Silent Knight', current keyboard player Jim (Daryl) Gilmour replaced Gregg Chadd.
In 1981, Saga would grab their first Juno Award (Canada's Grammy award) for 'Most Promising Group'.
On the Loose...
'Worlds Apart' was released in Canada and Europe in October, 1981, and one year later in the USA, Japan, UK, South America and Australia. Produced by Rupert Hine at The Farmyard Studio in Buckinghamshire, England, the album entered the Billboard U.S. Top 10 and included two top 40 singles, most notably On the Loose which reached the number 3 mark on the Billboard 'Hot 100'. The album went gold and platinum in North America and in most major European territories.
SAGA's achievements in the studio were equalled (and some-might say) eclipsed by their accomplishments on the road. As a first rate live attraction, sell-out tours of Europe and Canada continued. This provided the basis for the groups fifth album - 'In Transit' - the first digital live recording on CD by a rock band.
In February 1982, SAGA was the first Canadian band to perform behind the Iron Curtain, by playing for 10.000 fans in Budapest, Hungary, at the opening of a new sports arena in Budapest. SAGA was also presented with the prestigious 'German Gold Ticket Award' for being the years top selling concert act.
Still pumped up from months of touring and concerts, SAGA started recording with Rupert Hine again, in April 1983. 'Heads Or Tales' developed into a boisterous album, full of energy and drive. It was released in September, 1983.
In 1985, SAGA released the critically acclaimed 'Behaviour' album. On March the 9th 1986 in Zurich, Switzerland, Steve and Daryl played what looked like their last concert with SAGA.
Only Time Will Tell...
In 1987, the remaining three members of SAGA continued on and recorded 'Wildest Dreams' with Keith Olson, one of the most successful producers in the music industry. The self produced 'The Beginners Guide To Throwing Shapes', followed two years later, along with the bands contribution to the motion picture soundtrack 'Johnny B. Good'.
After a six-year hiatus, the band reformed and after an extensive tour re-entered the studio in September, 1992. In April of 1993, the band released its tenth studio album, the energetic 'The Security Of Illusion'. At this time, SAGA also found themselves writing, producing and performing music for a U.S. television series called 'Cobra'. In 1994 the band released Steel Umbrellas, a new album from those sessions.
In 1995 they completed 'Generation 13', a seventy-minute musical extravaganza, which many consider as one of SAGA most impressive efforts to date. The band also released 'The Saga Softworks' - an interactive multimedia CD-ROM career anthology.
Gonna Give It To Ya...
1997 was a milestone year for SAGA. They released 'Pleasure & the Pain', and celebrated with a 20th Anniversary concert in Offenbach, Germany. During the show, Michael, Jim, Ian, Steve and Daryl were presented with letters of congratulations from the Prime Minister of Canada and the Premier of Ontario, in honour of their outstanding musical contributions. In addition, a bus full of fans from 5 different countries traveled with the band and crew to mark the special occasion.
Always moving forward, SAGA issued their long awaited second live album 'Detours' in 1998. The 2 CD set was recorded in Germany, Austria and Holland. The career retrospective contains: 22 songs, two concert videos and a hidden bonus track.
Remember When...
Late 1999 saw the release of 'Full Circle' with the band returning to the distinctive musical elements found on many of their legendary hits - rhythmic majesty, combined with colorful keyboard sounds and roaring guitars. The new recording reintroduced the science fiction story known as 'The Chapters', and also included a millennium version of 'Golden Boy', the bug like creature that graced the covers of the first three record jackets.
Almost immediately the fans responded with applause, doubling the ticket sales of all concerts that followed.
In 2001, SAGA released 'House of Cards', and the single, 'Money Talks' was a Top 5 video request at MuchMoreMusic in Canada.
For SAGA fans, 2003 has been their most exciting year-to-date. Its included an international tour in support their new CD 'Marathon', the release of remastered versions of their CDs, and a retrospective DVD called 'Silhouette'. Later in the year, the bands first concert DVD filmed at the groups 25th Anniversary show in Germany will arrive.
The SAGA Continues...
Biography written by Derrick Lee, Edited by Andrew Horton.
Portions of this biography were written by Edwin Ammerlaan for:
A SAGA OF 25 YEARS: SO GOOD SO FAR
|
