Ian Crichton
| Saga | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Oakville, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Rock, progressive rock, new wave, power pop, neo-progressive rock |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Labels | Portrait, Warner Bros., Atlantic |
| Associated acts | Fludd, Gilmour-Negus Project, Helix, My Wicked Twin, Asia |
| Website | www |
| Members | Michael Sadler Ian Crichton Jim Crichton Jim Gilmour Mike Thorne |
| Past members | Brian Doerner Rob Moratti Steve Negus Christian Simpson Peter Rochon Gregg Chadd Glen Sobel |
Saga are a Canadian rock band, formed in Oakville, Ontario. Jim Crichton and Welsh-born vocalist Michael Sadler have been the principal songwriters 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.
Saga has had numerous line-up changes throughout their career. Currently, Crichton, as well as his brother Jim, the band's bassist, are the only two original members who have appeared on every album. Lead singer Michael Sadler has appeared on every release by the band apart from their 2008 album The Human Condition, in which he was replaced by Rob Moratti. Though not present on the group's first two albums, current keyboardist Jim Gilmour has been with the band since 1979, making his debut on the album Silent Knight. He departed from the band in 1986, returned later in 1992, and has remained in the group since then. Saga have been awarded gold and platinum albums worldwide and have sold more than 8 million albums
Originally known as Pockets, Saga formed in 1977 from the nucleus of Canadian rock band Fludd. In June 1978, they released their self-titled debut album Saga. 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 No. 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 No. 22 on the Canadian Charts in January 1982. A second single, "On the Loose", also fared well with the help of its music video receiving heavy rotation on MTV, and in December 1982, proved to be their breakthrough in America where it peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard Charts in March 1983. "Wind Him Up" became the second single in America, peaking at No. 64 on Billboard the following month. Eventually, Worlds Apart was certified Gold in the USA in 1983. The band opened for Jethro Tull on their North American tour in 1982.
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Wikipedia