Canada Rocks (or rocked)
I did introduce already Loverboy from the great Rock country of Canada – this country has a lot rock epic heroes to show – today I will write about another one I saw live in the 1980ies in Germany. Saga – I own only three of their albums but all are fantastic – saw them live at Rock Am Ring when also Foreigner was playing as headliner – so you can estimate I am bloody old!
About the band
Saga is originally from the Ontario area, founded by Jim Crichton and Michael Sadler. Their guitar player Ian Crichton also played with the band Asia which will be introduced to the Rock Classics series soon as well. The Crichton brothers were the only two original members who have appeared on every single album.
Breakthrough in 1981
Their major break through success happened in 1981 with their 4th album Worlds Apart including lead single "Wind Him Up" that finally broke them into the Top 40, peaking at No. 22 on the Canadian Charts in January 1982. The second single release from the album "On the Loose", also entered the charts and made them popular on MTV and the US. That album made them even more popular across Europe where they played the major events live.
Era ended last month
After several comebacks and reunions with various line-ups Michael Sadler announced that Saga would retire following their farewell tour dubbed Final Chapter. The final "special one-off performance" in Toronto February 24 this year was the band's last performance putting an end to the Saga era - a pity!
