Canberra has had its fair share of groups. Saga was one of the longest serving groups that went along changing and evolving but never really having a big break out hit. They started with founding member Jeff Gallimore (drummer) who had been in the group Abbe Gail ca.1971. Saga kicked off in 1972 and they were still churning out music a decade later. The band released their debut album 'Knee Deep' in 1976 on the Showboat label. By 1976 Saga were involved in a charity recording subsidised by the Fairfax Media Group who owned the Canberra Times newspaper amongst others. Their remake of the Dr. Hook track "The Cover Of The Rolling Stone" was given a new OZ comedy slant. Saga's track was called "The Cover Of The Canberra Times" which went #1 in the nation's capital. It was not really a novelty track but a cute cabaret number in the same style as Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band. The band also had a hit single with ''12 Days of Christmas''. Both records appeared in the Top 100 Singles Chart on the Australian Kent Music Report in 1977 and 1978.
Bass guitarist Graham Patrick recalled the converted horse stable that was used to record Saga's hits. "We recorded out in a funny little place in Bungendore", he said. "It was quite an interesting recording session because there was no communication between the studio floor and the control room so it was a matter of people running in and out to ask if you were ready." Interesting to note is that Steve Kilby (who formed the successful band The Church) began his professional music career at 17 years of age when he joined the band in 1972. Saga reformed for a one-off gig in 2019 at the Harmonie German Club in Narrabundah.
Members
Jeff Gallimore (drums), Hugh Moran (keyboards), Hugh Packard (guitar), Graham Patrick (bass), Steve Kilby (guitar)
SINGLES ''Cover Of The Canberra Times (#84) / The Frog Song'' 1976 ''12 Australian Days Of Christmas (#84) / Christmas In Canberra'' [with The 2CC Announcers] 1978 2CC
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