The fact that 2008 is a pivotal year in the history of Saga, with the departure of vocalist Michael Saddler and the arrival of replacement Rob Moratti, makes this the perfect time for a biography of the band to appear. Author Edwin Ammerlaan, an Amsterdam based journalist, has spent years researching and writing this definitive book on Saga’s history carrying out extensive and detailed interviews with current and former band members, album producers and engineers as well as management personnel and various musicians who have crossed paths with the band. Whilst the book isn't an official biography of the band it is possibly the closet thing that there is with the band themselves casting an eye over the final manuscript before it  went to print.

Ammerlaan covers the whole history of Saga with the pages of the book or, if you like, the saga of saga from the early pre Saga days of bands such as Truck and Fluud in the earl seventies to the bands mid 80’s heyday up to the recent depurate, after 30 years, of vocalist Michael Saddler. The band's career is catalogued in great detail, in very bright and easy to read style, in fact this biography is perhaps one of the most readable books of it’s type I’ve ever read. Over the course of the books 176 pages Ammerlaan never loses the reader's interest which is a great achievement if, like me, your knowledge of Saga is only superficial. So after reading the book what have I found about about Saga? Well a hell of lot more than I knew previously that’s for certain and for rapid fans this book is probably essential reading. However even  the more casual fan and those with only a passing acquaintance will find much to enjoy and even if you know bugger all about the band but enjoy biographies you will enjoy as it’s simply a good read.

Saga: The Biography is only currently available from http://stores.lulu.com/sagabio

Dougie