It all began in 1977, when Jim Crichton and Michael Sadler, both with UK heritage, joined forces in their hometown of Oakville, Ontario, to write a few songs. What transpired was an impressive output of recorded material and the emergence of one of Canada’s most influential bands, Saga, selling millions of records worldwide.

 

Initially influenced by Gentle Giant and King Crimson, they developed synth-driven, complex prog rock arrangements and melodic hooks that were tricky to categorise, but that didn’t halt their growing popularity across Europe (mainly Germany), North America and Costa Rica. Fans admired their technical prowess, intelligent storytelling, and innovative approach to songwriting. They were also clever, daring, and experimental, creating an inspired decades-spanning Chapters puzzle, a 25-track concept album, an ill-fated TV soundtrack attempt, and a ‘hits’ acoustic reworking.

 

Saga didn’t achieve mainstream recognition, but is appreciated for its incredible musicianship, thought-provoking anthemic music, and exceptional live performances.  This book explores every track from Saga’s 23 studio albums and chronicles the band's other releases, highlighting the key factors related to each. It includes the thoughts of the band and the music press, as well as exclusive interviews with two of Saga’s founders. It’s a homage and an essential guide to an exceptional band. 

 

Mike Wilson has done most things in the music industry: songwriter, drummer, adviser, mentor, radio presenter, manager and producer. Mike formed the new wave of British heavy metal band Oxym in 1977, releasing the single ‘Music Power’ in 1980, and the album Passing Through Gateways 36 years later. Mike also wrote and performed on Chayan’s ‘Forgotten Dreams of an Unbeliever’ in 2019 and ‘Climbing a Cloud’, a tribute to Max Webster by The Universal Juveniles UK in 2016 . Mike is a Business Consultant and Lectures at York St John University, England. He is also a qualified cricket umpire. He lives in Lancashire, UK.