80’s at 8: January 5, 2023- Saga & Asia
On tonight’s 80’s at 8 I went with an 80’s Progressive Rock theme. The first track is from Canadian Progressive Rockers, Saga. It’s from their 1981 album Worlds Apart titled “On The Loose.”
This was the biggest hit for the band, it reached #3 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart and #26 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the album reached #29 on the Billboard 200 album chart.
The album was produced by Rupert Hine who has produced albums for Rush, The Fixx, Stevie Nicks, Bob Geldof, The Thompson Twins and many many more. Frontman Michael Sadler stated in the band’s video DVD Silhouette (2002) that Hine told him to stop “singing like a choir boy”.
Sadler’s vocal style was noticeably different on Worlds Apart than on the first three Saga albums; he kept that style in successive performances with the band. Hine reportedly had Sadler climb to the roof of the English barn where the band was recording in order to get the proper emotion from Sadler for “On the Loose”.
The success of the album was also largely credited to an expanded tour schedule which saw the band enter new territories and venues, particularly in the United States where they opened for Billy Squier, to expand their musical presence. Worlds Apart were certified Platinum in the US and Canada and throughout Europe.
The music video appeared on MTV during its first year on the air.
Check out the music video for “On The Loose” by Saga here:
The second track in the Progressive Rock-themed 80’s at 8 came from Asia. It is from their 1985 album Astra titled “Go.” It’s a rockin’ high-energy track and the first single released from the album.
It reached #7 on The Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart and #46 on the Billboard Hot 100. Billboard Magazine called the album a Massive and Mighty record.
The music video was a big hit on MTV and you can check it out here:
25 Albums that Turn 45 in 2023
