SAGA To Return To Stage In 2026 With Limited Engagements

Canadian progressive music icons SAGA have announced a return to live performances in 2026 with a series of carefully selected engagements across Canada. Dates will be announced shortly.

Frontman Michael Sadler is warmly welcomed back to the stage following his extended recovery. He rejoins guitarist Ian Crichton and keyboardist Jim Gilmour in the core lineup.

A few updates to SAGA's touring lineup have also been made for these shows. Mike Thorne remains the primary drummer, though fans may see the familiar and highly capable Brad Park stepping in for selected dates, as he has done successfully in the past. On bass, Mike Borkosky returns to handle those duties after performing with SAGA on the 2024 tour. As the band welcomes Mike back, it also marks the end of Dusty Chesterfield's time with SAGA.

SAGA comments: "The band sincerely appreciates Dusty's contributions and the way he stepped in admirably whenever needed. We wish him all the best in his future musical endeavors.

"The guys are eager to share these moments with our SAGA family and friends and can't wait to see you all there! Further details on dates, venues, and tickets will be shared soon. Thank you for the continued support."

Last July, Sadler denied that he was terminally ill, just a day after he revealed that the rare form of aggressive, muscle-invasive cancer with which he was diagnosed in 2024 was "incurable and untreatable".

When Michael's wife Gwen first revealed his diagnosis in September 2024, she wrote that he was battling "a highly aggressive form of muscle invasive cancer, a rare type that occurs in only 3-5 % of the cases."

SAGA has released nearly two dozen albums so far, including the band's latest, "Symmetry", which came out in March 2021 via earMUSIC.

SAGA formed in 1977 in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and released its first album in 1978. Since that time, SAGA has sold ten million albums and performed in over 20 countries to over 15 million people.

For over 45 years, SAGA has led the way in music innovation and audience interaction. Throughout this time, the band has released nearly two dozen studio-recorded CDs under the umbrella of major record companies and has filmed over 20 music videos. Their hits include "Don't Be Late", "Wind Him Up", "On The Loose", "The Flyer" and "Scratching The Surface".

SAGA is widely regarded as one of the most influential progressive rock bands in Canada and around the world.

Image credit: squintyt4e_2