Saga (band)
Encyclopedia
Saga is a progressive rock
quintet, formed in Oakville, Ontario
, Canada
. Jim Crichton and Welsh-born vocalist Michael Sadler
have been the principal songwriter
s for Saga. Ian Crichton is the band's guitarist; apart from his work with Saga, he has recorded several solo albums as well as sessions with Asia
. The band's keyboardist, Jim "Daryl" Gilmour, replaced Greg Chadd in 1980 (Chadd replaced original member Peter Rochon—who left the band to become a full-time music equipment company executive—after the first album).
After the 2003 Marathon tour, Steve Negus
announced his retirement as Saga's original drummer. Christian Simpson, a Canadian-American, replaced Negus for 2004's Network album, until sidelined by a neurological condition that affected his drumming. In late 2005, former Helix
member Brian Doerner
became Saga's third drummer in as many years. Doerner suffered a heart attack in 2007 and was replaced by Chris Sutherland (of the Kim Mitchell
Band) for the 10,000 Days Tour and Contact DVD. Lead singer Michael Sadler left Saga for family reasons at the end of the 2007 tour. Rob Moratti replaced Sadler in April 2008, after an Internet talent search, spanning Europe and both Americas, failed to yield a potential lead vocalist. On January 28, 2011, an official statement was made announcing Michael Sadler's return as the lead singer of Saga. Saga has been awarded gold and platinum albums worldwide and has sold more than 8 million albums.
. In June 1978, they released their self-titled debut album. A modest success in Canada, it would eventually sell over 30,000 copies in Germany as an import. It also became a major seller in Puerto Rico, after a local stereo equipment store featured the guitar-keyboard duet of the band's single, "Humble Stance" as part of its radio advertisements. Two other songs, "How Long?" and "The Perfectionist" (a song about a psychopath, Ellery Sneed, who secretly poisons the attendants to a feast he has organized), also became local favourites.
Their 1979 follow-up album Images at Twilight
gave them their first charting single in Canada with the song "It's Time" peaking at #84 in the Canadian Charts. From the album, the songs "See Them Smile" and "Slow Motion" became strong radio favourites elsewhere. Saga's next album, Silent Knight
was released in 1980 and included the singles "Don't Be Late" and "Careful Where You Step".
In 1981, the band's 4th album Worlds Apart
was released. The lead single "Wind Him Up", finally broke them into the Top 40, peaking at #22 on the Canadian Charts in January 1982. A second single "On the Loose" also fared well, and in December 1982, proved to be their breakthrough in America where it peaked at #26 on the Billboard Charts in March 1983. "Wind Him Up" became the second single in America, peaking at #64 on Billboard the following month. Eventually, Worlds Apart was certified Gold in the USA in 1983.
Following on the success of Worlds Apart
, the band won the 1982 Juno Award
for "Most Promising Group of the Year
.
A 5th album Heads or Tales
was released in late 1983 and became another success. The lead single "The Flyer" fared well in Canada and also became their final U.S. hit, peaking at #79 on Billboard in November 1983. A follow-up single "Scratching the Surface" was popular in Canada, peaking at #45 in April 1984.
Their 6th album Behaviour
was released in 1985, and included the singles: "Listen to Your Heart" and "What Do I Know" (#57 Canada).
and Jim Gilmour left the band over management concerns, soon deciding to form a new band project under the name Gilmour-Negus Project (GNP). In 1988, they released their one and only album, Safety Zone (featuring Robert Bevan on lead vocals). Meanwhile, Saga continued to record and tour, with Michael Sadler and the Crichton brothers augmented by session musicians.
Their 1987 release Wildest Dreams
enjoyed better distribution under new label, Atlantic Records
, but it failed to match expectations in America. The lead single "Only Time Will Tell" became a popular Chart favourite in Canada (#93), with a memorable video rotated on MTV
for a brief period. However, the remainder of the album suffered from over-reliance on technology, with armies of sequencers and drum machines replacing much of the band's earlier trademark sound with Gilmour and Negus.
For 1989's The Beginner's Guide to Throwing Shapes
, Saga refocused on their earlier European popularity which marked a return to their earlier progressive style. In 1993, Steve Negus and Jim Gilmour returned to Saga. The band's next album, The Security of Illusion
, was well received by Saga fans in Canada and Europe. The 1994 followup, Steel Umbrellas
, was considered uneven when compared to their previous release, perhaps due to the material originally being produced for the short-lived television series Cobra
. However, despite lacklustre album sales, Saga's 1993 and 1994 tours helped maintain some of the band's early popularity; their reputation as live performers was not lost among the band's long time fans.
. Inspired by a popular political treatise by the same name, the story follows main character Jeremy's troubled search for his real father. The concept is somewhat reminiscent of the storyline in The Who
's Quadrophenia
. The album's heavier compositions have a sound similar to fellow Canadians, progressive rock legends Rush
, and even early Kansas
.
Saga's next release, Pleasure and the Pain
was released on the eve of their 26th anniversary tour in 1997. The album failed to maintain the interest created by the previous release.
On the same anniversary tour the album Phase 1
was released. Phase 1 was an album containing demo songs from the 1979 album Images at Twilight
— some of them were songs found not good enough for the album, some of them were different version songs. The album quickly sold out and a second issue was printed. The album was hard to get and it soon became a most wanted item for Saga collectors and fans.
Their 1998 tour was captured on the next album, Detours, a double-live album released worldwide.
Saga's next three albums, 1999's Full Circle
, 2001's House of Cards
and Marathon
released in 2003 have all been popular with the band's longtime and loyal fanbase. House of Cards, in particular enjoyed renewed interest. Its acoustic-flavoured single, "Money Talks" received Top 5 video airplay in Canada. All three albums included new "chapters", representing a return to the progressive rock of the band's early days. Saga released a new studio album, Network
, in the fall of 2004. 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.
Even though Jim Crichton and Michael Sadler both live in Los Angeles
, 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.
The band's multi-song cycle "The Chapters" spanned their first four albums and were continued on later releases beginning in 1999. Songs from the cycle have been performed in concert throughout their career.
The band has been constantly successful in Germany since its inception. It is also very popular in Puerto Rico
: Saga has visited the island twelve times. Saga's second concert in Puerto Rico (1981) caused riots from fans trying to crash into a sold-out concert that sold over 10,000 tickets. Most of the inner cover photographs from the original vinyl release of In Transit
were taken in Puerto Rico, including a live photograph from the 1981 concert. For a few years, a keyboard riff from their song "No Regrets" became the background music for station breaks at WCAD-FM in San Juan. The band received formal recognition as distinguished visitors from the Puerto Rican legislature in February 2005. Their concert on December 9, 2007 (at the Pier 10 Arena club in Old San Juan) was the last concert that Michael Sadler did with Saga -until his announcement of returning to the band on January 2011-.
On January 16, 2007, it was announced by InsideOut
, the band's current record label, that lead singer Michael Sadler would be leaving Saga for personal reasons at the end of 2007. Later that year on Michael's personal site, michaelsadler.com, a note was posted by the singer revealing that his departure was due to a desire to focus on his family life and retire from the stress of being in an active travelling band. A farewell tour of sorts is in the works which will also commemorate Saga's 36th anniversary as a band. Saga announced on July 15, 2007 that they were recording a new album in Los Angeles. Titled "10,000 Days
," the album was released on November 6, 2007 in conjunction with their planned European tour. ("10,000 days" equates to 27 years, 4.54 months, approximately the amount of time Sadler spent with the band). Sadler also recorded a forthcoming DVD commemorating his last European tour with Saga. Just prior to the release of "10,000 Days", in October 2007 drummer Brian Doerner suffered a heart attack. He has since made a full recovery, but a stand-in drummer (Chris Sutherland) was required to fulfill touring commitments.
Saga announced they were auditioning lead vocalists to continue the band's career. The musicians recorded instrumental versions of "On the Loose" and "Wind Him Up" for prospective singers to perform on YouTube
, with the winning candidate to be announced at a later date. During the search, Ian Crichton remarked that hopeful candidates "should have a set of pipes" as well as personality. The guitarist also remarked that a Canadian would be preferable, presumably because of travel considerations and the band's nationality. Over 20 candidates (including one woman) submitted demos from across the Atlantic and Caribbean
.
On 15 April 2008, Saga announced that Rob Moratti of Toronto
, former singer of Final Frontier, had joined the band as the new lead vocalist. Moratti's background included more than a decade of experience in the Canadian rock music industry, recently working with the respected guitarist-producer Mladen. Throughout his tenure with the band, Moratti concentrated on lead vocals, leaving the band's instrumental dynamics somewhat changed from the Sadler era, where the lead vocalist often doubled on bass guitar and keyboards. Saga's first gig with Moratti took place in the summer of 2008. Also, 2008 saw the release of a book about the band's history, 'Saga: The Biography,' by renowned rock journalist (and long-time friend of Saga), Edwin Ammerlaan.
In 2009 Saga released their first CD with Rob Moratti. This CD is titled The Human Condition
and was released in the spring 2009. The band toured in Europe and Canada.
On January 28, 2011, an official statement was made announcing Michael Sadler's return as the lead singer of Saga.
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
quintet, formed in Oakville, Ontario
Oakville, Ontario
Oakville is a town in Halton Region, on Lake Ontario in Southern Ontario, Canada, and is part of the Greater Toronto Area. As of the 2006 census the population was 165,613.-History:In 1793, Dundas Street was surveyed for a military road...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Jim Crichton and Welsh-born vocalist Michael Sadler
Michael Sadler
Michael Sadler may refer to:* Michael Thomas Sadler , radical British Tory Member of Parliament* Michael Ernest Sadler , British historian, educationalist and university administrator...
have been the principal songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
s for Saga. Ian Crichton is the band's guitarist; apart from his work with Saga, he has recorded several solo albums as well as sessions with Asia
Asia (band)
Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a supergroup as it included former members of several veteran progressive rock bands, namely John Wetton , Geoff Downes , Steve Howe and Carl Palmer Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a...
. The band's keyboardist, Jim "Daryl" Gilmour, replaced Greg Chadd in 1980 (Chadd replaced original member Peter Rochon—who left the band to become a full-time music equipment company executive—after the first album).
After the 2003 Marathon tour, Steve Negus
Steve Negus
Steve Negus is a Canadian drummer and songwriter who was a member of the progressive rock band Saga for twenty-six years.-Biography:While playing at Larry's Hideaway, a club in Toronto, Steve Negus' drumming came to the attention of the Canadian rock band, Fludd. The band was searching for a new...
announced his retirement as Saga's original drummer. Christian Simpson, a Canadian-American, replaced Negus for 2004's Network album, until sidelined by a neurological condition that affected his drumming. In late 2005, former Helix
Helix (band)
Helix are a Canadian hard rock/heavy metal band. They formed in 1974, and are best known for their 1984 single "Rock You". The original lineup was formed by drummer Bruce Arnold, and consisted of lead vocalist Brian Vollmer, guitarists Ron Watson and Rick "Minstrel" Trembley, keyboardist Don...
member Brian Doerner
Brian Doerner
Brian J. Doerner, from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, is the current drummer for progressive rock band Saga, and hard rock band My Wicked Twin with his twin brother Brent Doerner. Brian has been playing music together with his brother since they were 8 years old. Brent was given a drum kit by their...
became Saga's third drummer in as many years. Doerner suffered a heart attack in 2007 and was replaced by Chris Sutherland (of the Kim Mitchell
Kim Mitchell
Joseph Kim Mitchell is a Canadian guitarist. He was the lead singer and guitarist for the band Max Webster before going on to lead a solo career. He is currently a radio show host for CILQ-FM in Toronto....
Band) for the 10,000 Days Tour and Contact DVD. Lead singer Michael Sadler left Saga for family reasons at the end of the 2007 tour. Rob Moratti replaced Sadler in April 2008, after an Internet talent search, spanning Europe and both Americas, failed to yield a potential lead vocalist. On January 28, 2011, an official statement was made announcing Michael Sadler's return as the lead singer of Saga. Saga has been awarded gold and platinum albums worldwide and has sold more than 8 million albums.
History
Originally known as Pockets, Saga formed in 1977 from the nucleus of Canadian rock band FluddFludd (band)
Fludd was a Canadian rock band in the 1970s, best known for their 1973 hit "Cousin Mary".The band had its roots in a band called The Pretty Ones, formed by Ed Pilling and Greg Godovitz. The band was briefly part of Toronto's Yorkville scene in the 1960s, but broke up before achieving much...
. In June 1978, they released their self-titled debut album. A modest success in Canada, it would eventually sell over 30,000 copies in Germany as an import. It also became a major seller in Puerto Rico, after a local stereo equipment store featured the guitar-keyboard duet of the band's single, "Humble Stance" as part of its radio advertisements. Two other songs, "How Long?" and "The Perfectionist" (a song about a psychopath, Ellery Sneed, who secretly poisons the attendants to a feast he has organized), also became local favourites.
Their 1979 follow-up album Images at Twilight
Images at Twilight
Images at Twilight is the second studio album by the Canadian progressive rock band Saga and was originally released in 1979.-The Chapters:...
gave them their first charting single in Canada with the song "It's Time" peaking at #84 in the Canadian Charts. From the album, the songs "See Them Smile" and "Slow Motion" became strong radio favourites elsewhere. Saga's next album, Silent Knight
Silent Knight (album)
Silent Knight is the third studio album by the Canadian progressive rock band Saga and was originally released in 1980.-The Chapters:Two of the songs, "Don't Be Late ," and "Too Much to Lose ," were part of a series of eight songs that Saga included within their first four albums called "The...
was released in 1980 and included the singles "Don't Be Late" and "Careful Where You Step".
In 1981, the band's 4th album Worlds Apart
Worlds Apart (Saga album)
Worlds Apart is the fourth studio album by the Canadian progressive rock band Saga and was originally released in 1981. The album has been released with several different covers. The album was produced by Rupert Hine...
was released. The lead single "Wind Him Up", finally broke them into the Top 40, peaking at #22 on the Canadian Charts in January 1982. A second single "On the Loose" also fared well, and in December 1982, proved to be their breakthrough in America where it peaked at #26 on the Billboard Charts in March 1983. "Wind Him Up" became the second single in America, peaking at #64 on Billboard the following month. Eventually, Worlds Apart was certified Gold in the USA in 1983.
Following on the success of Worlds Apart
Worlds Apart (Saga album)
Worlds Apart is the fourth studio album by the Canadian progressive rock band Saga and was originally released in 1981. The album has been released with several different covers. The album was produced by Rupert Hine...
, the band won the 1982 Juno Award
Juno Awards of 1982
The Juno Awards of 1982, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 14 April 1982 in Toronto at a ceremony hosted by Burton Cummings at the Harbour Castle Hilton Convention Centre....
for "Most Promising Group of the Year
Juno Award for New Group of the Year
The Juno Award for the New Group of the Year has been awarded since 1974, as recognition each year for the best new group or band in Canada. The award was originally known as Most Promising Group of the Year, and from 1994–2002 it was known as Best New Group.-Most Promising Group of the Year...
.
A 5th album Heads or Tales
Heads or Tales
Heads Or Tales is the fifth studio album by the Canadian progressive rock band Saga and was originally released in 1983. The album was the second of the band's to be produced by 1980s producer Rupert Hine...
was released in late 1983 and became another success. The lead single "The Flyer" fared well in Canada and also became their final U.S. hit, peaking at #79 on Billboard in November 1983. A follow-up single "Scratching the Surface" was popular in Canada, peaking at #45 in April 1984.
Their 6th album Behaviour
Behaviour (Saga album)
Behaviour is the sixth studio album by the Canadian progressive rock band Saga, and was originally released in 1985, two years after the moderately successful Heads or Tales...
was released in 1985, and included the singles: "Listen to Your Heart" and "What Do I Know" (#57 Canada).
Separation and reunion
In 1986, Steve NegusSteve Negus
Steve Negus is a Canadian drummer and songwriter who was a member of the progressive rock band Saga for twenty-six years.-Biography:While playing at Larry's Hideaway, a club in Toronto, Steve Negus' drumming came to the attention of the Canadian rock band, Fludd. The band was searching for a new...
and Jim Gilmour left the band over management concerns, soon deciding to form a new band project under the name Gilmour-Negus Project (GNP). In 1988, they released their one and only album, Safety Zone (featuring Robert Bevan on lead vocals). Meanwhile, Saga continued to record and tour, with Michael Sadler and the Crichton brothers augmented by session musicians.
Their 1987 release Wildest Dreams
Wildest Dreams (Saga album)
Wildest Dreams is the seventh studio album by the Canadian progressive rock band Saga, originally released in 1987. It was their first album without original drummer Steve Negus and longtime keyboardist and vocalist Jim Gilmour.-Atlantic Records:...
enjoyed better distribution under new label, Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, but it failed to match expectations in America. The lead single "Only Time Will Tell" became a popular Chart favourite in Canada (#93), with a memorable video rotated on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
for a brief period. However, the remainder of the album suffered from over-reliance on technology, with armies of sequencers and drum machines replacing much of the band's earlier trademark sound with Gilmour and Negus.
For 1989's The Beginner's Guide to Throwing Shapes
The Beginner's Guide to Throwing Shapes
The Beginner's Guide to Throwing Shapes is the eighth studio album by Saga, originally released in 1989.-Track listing:# "How Do I Look" – 4:33# "Starting All Over" – 4:01# "Shape" – 5:10# "Odd Man Out" – 4:54# "The Nineties" – 4:16...
, Saga refocused on their earlier European popularity which marked a return to their earlier progressive style. In 1993, Steve Negus and Jim Gilmour returned to Saga. The band's next album, The Security of Illusion
The Security of Illusion
The Security of Illusion is the ninth studio album by Saga. The album marks the return of keyboardist Jim Gilmour and drummer Steve Negus, both of whom left the band in 1986 due to management concerns.-Track listing:# "Entracte " – 0:58...
, was well received by Saga fans in Canada and Europe. The 1994 followup, Steel Umbrellas
Steel Umbrellas
Steel Umbrellas is the tenth studio album by Saga.-Track listing:# "Why Not?" – 4:18# " Never Alone" – 4:28# "Bet On This" – 3:53# "Shake That Tree" – 4:18# "Password Pirate - access code - Password Pirate" – 3:36# "I Walk With You" – 4:02...
, was considered uneven when compared to their previous release, perhaps due to the material originally being produced for the short-lived television series Cobra
Cobra (TV series)
Cobra was an American television action/adventure series starring Michael Dudikoff. It ran for just one season in syndication.-Premise:Robert "Scandal" Jackson, Jr., is an ex-Navy SEAL who went A.W.O.L. after refusing to blow up an enemy command center housing civilians...
. However, despite lacklustre album sales, Saga's 1993 and 1994 tours helped maintain some of the band's early popularity; their reputation as live performers was not lost among the band's long time fans.
Comeback
In 1995, Jim Crichton composed and produced the majority of Saga's next album, the conceptual Generation 13Generation 13
Generation 13 is the eleventh studio album by Saga.-Track listing:# "Chances Are #1" – 1:42# "Generation 13 " – 2:43# "All Will Change" – 1:57# "The Cross " – 4:06# "Danger Whistle" – 0:45# "Leave Her Alone" – 4:33...
. Inspired by a popular political treatise by the same name, the story follows main character Jeremy's troubled search for his real father. The concept is somewhat reminiscent of the storyline in The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
's Quadrophenia
Quadrophenia
Quadrophenia is the sixth studio album by English rock band The Who. Released on 19 October 1973 by Track and Polydor in the UK, and Track and MCA in the US, it is a double album, and the group's second rock opera...
. The album's heavier compositions have a sound similar to fellow Canadians, progressive rock legends Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
, and even early Kansas
Kansas (band)
Kansas is an American rock band that became popular in the 1970s initially on Album-Oriented Rock charts, and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind"...
.
Saga's next release, Pleasure and the Pain
Pleasure & the Pain
Pleasure & the Pain is the twelfth studio album by Saga.-Track listing:# "Heaven Can Wait" – 6:16# "How Do You Feel?" – 4:07# "Welcome To The Zoo" – 4:31# "Where's My Money" – 5:19# "You're Not Alone "97"" – 4:20# "Taxman" – 3:39...
was released on the eve of their 26th anniversary tour in 1997. The album failed to maintain the interest created by the previous release.
On the same anniversary tour the album Phase 1
Phase One (Saga album)
Phase One is a studio album by Saga.Phase one was originally released during the 1997 European Tour and was made available at the merchandise stands and through The Saga Club. It contains 3 demo-versions of songs from Images At Twilight: You're Not Alone, Mouse in a Maze and Hot to Cold. These...
was released. Phase 1 was an album containing demo songs from the 1979 album Images at Twilight
Images at Twilight
Images at Twilight is the second studio album by the Canadian progressive rock band Saga and was originally released in 1979.-The Chapters:...
— some of them were songs found not good enough for the album, some of them were different version songs. The album quickly sold out and a second issue was printed. The album was hard to get and it soon became a most wanted item for Saga collectors and fans.
Their 1998 tour was captured on the next album, Detours, a double-live album released worldwide.
Saga's next three albums, 1999's Full Circle
Full Circle (Saga album)
Full Circle is a studio album by Saga, their thirteenth album of new material.-Track listing:# "Remember When " – 5:20# "The One" – 4:21# "Follow Me" – 5:07# "Uncle Albert's Eyes " – 5:22# "Home" – 5:06...
, 2001's House of Cards
House of Cards (Saga album)
House of Cards is a studio album by Saga, their fourteenth album of new material.-Track listing:# "God Knows" – 5:29# "The Runaway" – 5:35# "Always There" – 3:52# "Ashes to Ashes " – 5:05# "Once in a Lifetime" – 4:21...
and Marathon
Marathon (Saga album)
Marathon is a studio album by Saga, their fifteenth album of new material.- Track listing :# "Marathon" – 4:59# "How Are You?" – 5:22# "Breathing Lessons" – 4:24# "Hands Up" – 3:44# "Streets of Gold " – 5:11...
released in 2003 have all been popular with the band's longtime and loyal fanbase. House of Cards, in particular enjoyed renewed interest. Its acoustic-flavoured single, "Money Talks" received Top 5 video airplay in Canada. All three albums included new "chapters", representing a return to the progressive rock of the band's early days. Saga released a new studio album, Network
Network (album)
Network is a studio album by Saga, their sixteenth album of new material and nineteenth album overall, discounting compilations and bootlegs. It was released worldwide on February 8, 2005...
, in the fall of 2004. Their next album, Trust
Trust (Saga album)
Trust is a studio album by Saga, their seventeenth album of new material.-Track listing:# "That's As Far As I'll Go" – 4:36# "Back To The Shadows" – 5:16# "I'm OK" – 5:36# "Time To Play" – 3:31# "My Friend" – 3:19# "Trust" – 5:44...
, was released in 2006, featuring Brian Doerner
Brian Doerner
Brian J. Doerner, from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, is the current drummer for progressive rock band Saga, and hard rock band My Wicked Twin with his twin brother Brent Doerner. Brian has been playing music together with his brother since they were 8 years old. Brent was given a drum kit by their...
as their new drummer. Doerner made his debut on a live Canadian television broadcast in late 2005.
Even though Jim Crichton and Michael Sadler both live in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, 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.
Legacy and future plans
Despite the band's fluctuating musical styles and limited commercial success in The United States, their fans have remained extremely loyal over the decades. Their musical style was defined by Ian Crichton's staccato guitar riffs, often in harmony with a synthesizer, and complex keyboard arrangements, frequently featuring three players.The band's multi-song cycle "The Chapters" spanned their first four albums and were continued on later releases beginning in 1999. Songs from the cycle have been performed in concert throughout their career.
The band has been constantly successful in Germany since its inception. It is also very popular in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
: Saga has visited the island twelve times. Saga's second concert in Puerto Rico (1981) caused riots from fans trying to crash into a sold-out concert that sold over 10,000 tickets. Most of the inner cover photographs from the original vinyl release of In Transit
In Transit (Saga album)
In Transit is a live album by Canadian progressive rock band Saga. The album was recorded in Copenhagen and Munich in 1982. In Transit went platinum in Canada and gold in Germany.- Track listing :...
were taken in Puerto Rico, including a live photograph from the 1981 concert. For a few years, a keyboard riff from their song "No Regrets" became the background music for station breaks at WCAD-FM in San Juan. The band received formal recognition as distinguished visitors from the Puerto Rican legislature in February 2005. Their concert on December 9, 2007 (at the Pier 10 Arena club in Old San Juan) was the last concert that Michael Sadler did with Saga -until his announcement of returning to the band on January 2011-.
On January 16, 2007, it was announced by InsideOut
Insideout
Insideout was an Israeli Euro Dance act formed in 1994 which is considered to be the first Israeli Euro Dance group.- History :The group was founded in 1994 by Tomer Glatt and Alon Levin, two 16-year-old high school students from Givatayim who attended to the same class.Under the record company...
, the band's current record label, that lead singer Michael Sadler would be leaving Saga for personal reasons at the end of 2007. Later that year on Michael's personal site, michaelsadler.com, a note was posted by the singer revealing that his departure was due to a desire to focus on his family life and retire from the stress of being in an active travelling band. A farewell tour of sorts is in the works which will also commemorate Saga's 36th anniversary as a band. Saga announced on July 15, 2007 that they were recording a new album in Los Angeles. Titled "10,000 Days
10,000 Days (Saga album)
-Personnel:* Michael Sadler – vocals, keyboards* Ian Crichton – guitars* Jim Crichton – bass, keyboards* Jim Gilmour – keyboards, vocals* Brian Doerner – drums...
," the album was released on November 6, 2007 in conjunction with their planned European tour. ("10,000 days" equates to 27 years, 4.54 months, approximately the amount of time Sadler spent with the band). Sadler also recorded a forthcoming DVD commemorating his last European tour with Saga. Just prior to the release of "10,000 Days", in October 2007 drummer Brian Doerner suffered a heart attack. He has since made a full recovery, but a stand-in drummer (Chris Sutherland) was required to fulfill touring commitments.
Saga announced they were auditioning lead vocalists to continue the band's career. The musicians recorded instrumental versions of "On the Loose" and "Wind Him Up" for prospective singers to perform on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
, with the winning candidate to be announced at a later date. During the search, Ian Crichton remarked that hopeful candidates "should have a set of pipes" as well as personality. The guitarist also remarked that a Canadian would be preferable, presumably because of travel considerations and the band's nationality. Over 20 candidates (including one woman) submitted demos from across the Atlantic and Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
.
On 15 April 2008, Saga announced that Rob Moratti of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, former singer of Final Frontier, had joined the band as the new lead vocalist. Moratti's background included more than a decade of experience in the Canadian rock music industry, recently working with the respected guitarist-producer Mladen. Throughout his tenure with the band, Moratti concentrated on lead vocals, leaving the band's instrumental dynamics somewhat changed from the Sadler era, where the lead vocalist often doubled on bass guitar and keyboards. Saga's first gig with Moratti took place in the summer of 2008. Also, 2008 saw the release of a book about the band's history, 'Saga: The Biography,' by renowned rock journalist (and long-time friend of Saga), Edwin Ammerlaan.
In 2009 Saga released their first CD with Rob Moratti. This CD is titled The Human Condition
The Human Condition (album)
The Human Condition is a studio album by Saga, their nineteenth album of new material. All music is by Jim Gilmour, Ian Crichton and Jim Crichton. All lyrics are by Rob Moratti, except "Avalon", "A Number with a Name" and "You Look Good to Me" by Rob Moratti, Jim Crichton...
and was released in the spring 2009. The band toured in Europe and Canada.
On January 28, 2011, an official statement was made announcing Michael Sadler's return as the lead singer of Saga.
Band members
- Michael Sadler – vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer, drums
- Jim Crichton – bass, keyboards, Moog synthesizer
- Ian Crichton – guitar
- Jim Gilmour – synthesizer, keyboards, vocals, clarinet, harmonica
- Brian DoernerBrian DoernerBrian J. Doerner, from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, is the current drummer for progressive rock band Saga, and hard rock band My Wicked Twin with his twin brother Brent Doerner. Brian has been playing music together with his brother since they were 8 years old. Brent was given a drum kit by their...
– drums, backing vocals
Former members
- Rob Moratti – vocals (2008–2011)
- Christian Simpson – drums (2003–2005)
- Steve NegusSteve NegusSteve Negus is a Canadian drummer and songwriter who was a member of the progressive rock band Saga for twenty-six years.-Biography:While playing at Larry's Hideaway, a club in Toronto, Steve Negus' drumming came to the attention of the Canadian rock band, Fludd. The band was searching for a new...
– drums (1977–1986, 1992–2003) - Gregg Chadd – synthesizer, keyboards (1979)
- Peter Rochon – synthesizer, keyboards (1977–1978)
Session and studio musicians
- Chris Sutherland – drums (2007 tour, 2009 tour) (session)
- Glen Sobel – drums (1997) (studio)
- Marcus Deml – guitar (1995) (session)
- Graham Lear – drums (1990) (session)
- Richard Baker – Moog synthesizer (1990) (session)
- Curt Cress – drums (1987, 1989) (studio)
- Trevor Morrell – drums (1988) (session)
- Tim Moore – synthesizer (1988) (session)
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Canada Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... |
Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
Germany Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... |
Norway Norway Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million... |
Sweden Sweden Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund.... |
Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition.... |
Austria Austria Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the... |
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| 1978 | Saga Saga (album) Saga is the first studio album by the Canadian progressive rock band Saga and was originally released in 1978.-The Chapters:Two of the songs, "Will It Be You? ," and "Tired World ," were part of a series of eight songs that Saga included within their first four albums called "The Chapters," which... |
- | - | - | - | 33 | - | - |
| 1979 | Images at Twilight Images at Twilight Images at Twilight is the second studio album by the Canadian progressive rock band Saga and was originally released in 1979.-The Chapters:... |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1980 | Silent Knight Silent Knight (album) Silent Knight is the third studio album by the Canadian progressive rock band Saga and was originally released in 1980.-The Chapters:Two of the songs, "Don't Be Late ," and "Too Much to Lose ," were part of a series of eight songs that Saga included within their first four albums called "The... |
42 | - | - | 15 | 42 | - | - |
| 1981 | Worlds Apart Worlds Apart (Saga album) Worlds Apart is the fourth studio album by the Canadian progressive rock band Saga and was originally released in 1981. The album has been released with several different covers. The album was produced by Rupert Hine... |
22 | 29 | 2 | 5 | 33 | - | - |
| 1983 | Heads or Tales Heads or Tales Heads Or Tales is the fifth studio album by the Canadian progressive rock band Saga and was originally released in 1983. The album was the second of the band's to be produced by 1980s producer Rupert Hine... |
17 | 92 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | - |
| 1985 | Behaviour Behaviour (Saga album) Behaviour is the sixth studio album by the Canadian progressive rock band Saga, and was originally released in 1985, two years after the moderately successful Heads or Tales... |
39 | 87 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 29 |
| 1987 | Wildest Dreams Wildest Dreams (Saga album) Wildest Dreams is the seventh studio album by the Canadian progressive rock band Saga, originally released in 1987. It was their first album without original drummer Steve Negus and longtime keyboardist and vocalist Jim Gilmour.-Atlantic Records:... |
77 | - | 18 | 11 | 8 | 17 | - |
| 1989 | The Beginner's Guide to Throwing Shapes The Beginner's Guide to Throwing Shapes The Beginner's Guide to Throwing Shapes is the eighth studio album by Saga, originally released in 1989.-Track listing:# "How Do I Look" – 4:33# "Starting All Over" – 4:01# "Shape" – 5:10# "Odd Man Out" – 4:54# "The Nineties" – 4:16... |
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| 1993 | The Security of Illusion The Security of Illusion The Security of Illusion is the ninth studio album by Saga. The album marks the return of keyboardist Jim Gilmour and drummer Steve Negus, both of whom left the band in 1986 due to management concerns.-Track listing:# "Entracte " – 0:58... |
- | - | 46 | - | 41 | 38 | - |
| 1994 | Steel Umbrellas Steel Umbrellas Steel Umbrellas is the tenth studio album by Saga.-Track listing:# "Why Not?" – 4:18# " Never Alone" – 4:28# "Bet On This" – 3:53# "Shake That Tree" – 4:18# "Password Pirate - access code - Password Pirate" – 3:36# "I Walk With You" – 4:02... |
- | - | 65 | - | 29 | 39 | - |
| 1995 | Generation 13 Generation 13 Generation 13 is the eleventh studio album by Saga.-Track listing:# "Chances Are #1" – 1:42# "Generation 13 " – 2:43# "All Will Change" – 1:57# "The Cross " – 4:06# "Danger Whistle" – 0:45# "Leave Her Alone" – 4:33... |
- | - | 89 | - | - | 49 | - |
| 1997 | Pleasure & the Pain Pleasure & the Pain Pleasure & the Pain is the twelfth studio album by Saga.-Track listing:# "Heaven Can Wait" – 6:16# "How Do You Feel?" – 4:07# "Welcome To The Zoo" – 4:31# "Where's My Money" – 5:19# "You're Not Alone "97"" – 4:20# "Taxman" – 3:39... |
- | - | 93 | - | - | - | - |
| 1997 | Phase One Phase One (Saga album) Phase One is a studio album by Saga.Phase one was originally released during the 1997 European Tour and was made available at the merchandise stands and through The Saga Club. It contains 3 demo-versions of songs from Images At Twilight: You're Not Alone, Mouse in a Maze and Hot to Cold. These... |
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| 1999 | Full Circle Full Circle (Saga album) Full Circle is a studio album by Saga, their thirteenth album of new material.-Track listing:# "Remember When " – 5:20# "The One" – 4:21# "Follow Me" – 5:07# "Uncle Albert's Eyes " – 5:22# "Home" – 5:06... |
- | - | 44 | - | - | - | - |
| 2001 | House of Cards House of Cards (Saga album) House of Cards is a studio album by Saga, their fourteenth album of new material.-Track listing:# "God Knows" – 5:29# "The Runaway" – 5:35# "Always There" – 3:52# "Ashes to Ashes " – 5:05# "Once in a Lifetime" – 4:21... |
- | - | 34 | - | - | 100 | - |
| 2003 | Marathon Marathon (Saga album) Marathon is a studio album by Saga, their fifteenth album of new material.- Track listing :# "Marathon" – 4:59# "How Are You?" – 5:22# "Breathing Lessons" – 4:24# "Hands Up" – 3:44# "Streets of Gold " – 5:11... |
- | - | 40 | - | - | - | - |
| 2004 | Network Network (album) Network is a studio album by Saga, their sixteenth album of new material and nineteenth album overall, discounting compilations and bootlegs. It was released worldwide on February 8, 2005... |
- | - | 78 | - | - | - | - |
| 2006 | Trust Trust (Saga album) Trust is a studio album by Saga, their seventeenth album of new material.-Track listing:# "That's As Far As I'll Go" – 4:36# "Back To The Shadows" – 5:16# "I'm OK" – 5:36# "Time To Play" – 3:31# "My Friend" – 3:19# "Trust" – 5:44... |
- | - | 23 | - | 37 | - | - |
| 2007 | 10,000 Days 10,000 Days (Saga album) -Personnel:* Michael Sadler – vocals, keyboards* Ian Crichton – guitars* Jim Crichton – bass, keyboards* Jim Gilmour – keyboards, vocals* Brian Doerner – drums... |
- | - | 78 | - | - | - | - |
| 2009 | The Human Condition The Human Condition (album) The Human Condition is a studio album by Saga, their nineteenth album of new material. All music is by Jim Gilmour, Ian Crichton and Jim Crichton. All lyrics are by Rob Moratti, except "Avalon", "A Number with a Name" and "You Look Good to Me" by Rob Moratti, Jim Crichton... |
- | - | 91 | - | - | - | - |
| 2011 | Heads or Tales Live | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Charting singles
| Year | Song | US Mainstream Rock | Billboard Top 100 | Canada Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... |
Germany Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... |
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| 1979 | "It's Time" | - | - | 84 | - |
| 1981 | "Wind Him Up" | 24 | 64 | 22 | 7 |
| 1981 | "On The Loose" | 3 | 26 | - | 26 |
| 1983 | "The Flyer" | 19 | 79 | - | - |
| 1983 | "Scratching The Surface" | - | - | 45 | - |
| 1985 | "What Do I Know" | 24 | - | 57 | 65 |
| 1987 | "Only Time Will Tell" | - | - | 93 | - |
Live albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1982 | In Transit In Transit (Saga album) In Transit is a live album by Canadian progressive rock band Saga. The album was recorded in Copenhagen and Munich in 1982. In Transit went platinum in Canada and gold in Germany.- Track listing :... |
| 1998 | Detours - Live (2CD) |
| 2005 | The Chapters Live (2CD) The Chapters Live The Chapters Live is a live album by Canadian progressive rock band Saga. It compiles live recordings of The Chapters, which were originally released over eight studio albums starting in 1978... |
| 2007 | Worlds Apart Revisited (2CD + 2DVD) |
| 2009 | Contact - Live in Munich (2CD or 2CD + 2DVD) |
| 2011 | Heads or Tales - Live (CD) |
Compilations
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1991 | The Works (2CD) |
| 1993 | All the Best |
| 1994 | The Very Best Of |
| 1994 | Defining Moments |
| 1998 | How Do I Look |
| 2006 | Remember When - The Very Best of Saga (2CD) |
Videography
| Year | DVD |
|---|---|
| 2002 | SILHOUETTE |
| 2003 | The Official Bootleg |
| 2004 | All Areas - Live in Bonn |
| 2007 | Worlds Apart Revisited (2CD + 2DVD) |
| 2009 | Contact - Live in Munich (2DVD or 2CD + 2DVD) |