Fronted by the honey rich vocals of chain smoking Welshman Michael Sadler, SAGA's intricate blend of extravagant concepts, Ian Crichton's sublime guitar playing and the ability to mould radio friendly tunes has seen the act carve out a unique niche for themselves in the Rock world. During 1977 the Toronto band POCKETS, previously known as FLUDD, including ex-TRUCK frontman and part time taxi driver MICHAEL SADLER and drummer Steve Negus, recruited new blood in the form of guitarist Ian Crichton, bassist Jim Crichton and keyboard player Pete Rochan. With such a large influx of new talent a new name was also instigated, the act re-titling itself SAGA. From the outset the group decided upon a course of wholly original material and duly debuted live on 13th June 1977.

The band's conceptual eponymous debut, recorded by producer Paul Gross at Toronto's Phase One Studios and issued in 1978 through Maze Records, although being totally self-financed by the band, saw strong sales globally prompting major label Polydor to sign the band. This enthusiasm had been focussed on Germany where import houses had shifted over 30,000 copies of the album in a matter of weeks. Album tracks 'How Long' and 'Humble Stance' received considerable airplay, boosting the band's status further.

Despite this success, Rochan quit prior to SAGA's 1980 album 'Images At Twilight', once again seeing Paul Gross manning the production desk, his place being taken by Gregg Chad. Once again the band scored radio hits in Europe, with both 'It's Time' and 'See Them Smile' faring well. On an upward curve, SAGA gained the prestigious support slot to STYX's European tour and also toured Britain as guests to MAGNUM.

A personnel change came with 1981's 'Silent Night' as new keyboard man Jim Gilmour entered the fold. The album produced an American radio hit with 'Careful Where You Step' and a gold sales status European single 'Don't Be Late'. In Germany the album launched two further hits, 'Help Me Out' and 'Careful Where You Step'. SAGA's increasing stature was celebrated with their debut live album 'In Transit' which reached number 2 in the German charts.

SAGA's studio follow up, the Rupert Hine produced 'World's Apart', maintained the momentum, giving the band their first American top thirty record boosted by the success of the 'On The Loose' single. 'Worlds Apart' scored internationally too. In Norway the album reached no.5 on the national charts, dragging 'Silent Night' into the charts too to peak at no.19. North American touring during 1982 would find SAGA as guests to PAT BENATAR. During a lull in activity Negus laid down drums for CHRIS DE BURGH's 1982 'The Getaway' album.

However, in spite of SAGA's undoubted progress with Polydor the band inked a new deal with Epic Records for 1983's 'Heads Or Tails', once more produced by Hine. A switch to the subsidiary Portrait label found the band plateauing out despite the acknowledged quality of the 'Behaviour' album. SAGA had gone for a more radio friendly approach which had unfortunately backfired. Negus and Gilmour opted out to create side project GNP.

Outside of SAGA Sadler's presence was felt on the 1986 charity single 'I Am Your Child' alongside LEE AARON, STEVE HOWE and LISA DALBELLO.

SAGA persevered with a new label, Atlantic, and new member Curt Cress (previously with EMERGENCY, PASSPORT and ATLANTIS) on drums for 1987's comeback album 'Wildest Dreams'. Produced by Keith Olsen the album saw strong sales in Europe and Canada but allowed SAGA's profile to slip in America. New SAGA product did emerge in 1988 but only in the form of one non album track 'Perfect Stranger' recorded for the movie soundtrack for 'Johnny B Goode'.

In down time Negus produced the 'Do Or Die' album for American Metal act SAVAGE STEEL and contributed drums to ONE TO ONE's 'Forward Your Emotions' album. Sadler meantime took time out to contribute backing vocals to OZZY OSBOURNE's 'No Rest For The Wicked' album. The band returned to the Sc-Fi concept formula for 1989's 'Beginners Guide To Throwing Shapes'.

Band members also turned up on other artist's albums in 1990. Sadler and Jim Crichton lending their talents to MAGNUM's 'Goodnight LA' album and NO SWEAT's self titled record. The following year Jim Crichton contributed to the 'Union' album from YES.

1992 Negus and Gilmour were back for the 'Security Of Illusion' album. Cress meantime had been busy with his AOR acts QUEEN OF SPADES and OCHSENKNECHT. SAGA took a left field step though when the band spent most of the early 90's writing music for an American TV cop show 'Cobra'. Abandoning this fruitless exercise the band bounced back with 1995's 'Steel Umbrellas'. (Previous to which Sadler and Demi had turned up on TOTO vocalist BOBBY KIMBALL's 1994 record 'Rise Up'.)

1995 saw the first of SAGA's solo forays with IAN CRICHTON creating a project band for the 'Welcome To The Boom Room' album. His brother Jim followed the year after with 'Instrumental Encounters' (credited to JAMES GERRARD GILMOUR and Ian was back in 1997 with 'Ghettos By design'. Meantime, Curt Cress scored session credits on the SCORPIONS 1996 album 'Pure Instinct'.

Maintaining the popularity in Germany, SAGA put on their most grandiose European tour to date including one gig to 75'000 fans at the world famous Nurburgring racetrack. The ambitious 'Generation 13', and its accompanying multi media package 'Softworks', capitalised on the band's renewed fortunes and in 1997 their efforts were rewarded when the Canadian prime minister made SAGA National Cultural Ambassadors.

Glowing with pride the 'Pleasure And Pain' album, which included a version of THE BEATLES 'Taxman', showed the world just why SAGA had been granted such an accolade. Drums for this album were in the temporary hands of Glen Sobel, Negus returning in time for the tour. The same year SAGA issued a further album 'Phase One' although this was a strictly limited edition of 1000 copies.

In outside activities Ian Crichton sessioned with AOR veterans ASIA for a planned band union although this never transpired. Sadler busied himself with a solo album using Marcus Demi on guitar.

SAGA switched to the SPV roster for the double live 'Detours' set. 1999's 'Full Circle' found the band delving back into their past with another conceptual extravaganza so beloved by the Germans.

The same year found Ian Crichton guesting on ANY DAY NOW's 'Millenium' album. He followed this in 2000 with a session on the ASIA album 'Aura' and also featured on Carl Kennedy's THE ALCHEMIST project band's 2002 debut 'Westside'. SAGA returned with a new studio album 'Marathon' in early 2003, this record quite deliberately harking back in sound to the band's late 70's extended Prog workouts. A by now traditional mammoth tour of Germany took the band through February and March.

SAGA crafted a new album entitled 'Network' in September 2004, coinciding with a new MICHAEL SADLER solo outing entitled 'Pure'. The band duly signed a worldwide deal with InsideOut Music to issue 'Network' in November.

A major shock for SAGA fans came in January 2007 when Michael Sadler announced he was stepping down from his role fronting the band.