Steve Negus - Negus and ex Saga

Interview by April Savoie / Photos courtesy of Steve Negus

Exclusive to RockStar Weekly

Steve Negus, is a Canadian drummer and songwriter whose intricate and powerful rhythms helped define the sound of platinum selling progressive rock band Saga for twenty-six years. Having appeared on over 20 albums and having sold over 8,000,000 copies, Negus' playing is easily definable as among the best in the world.
Steve released his first solo CD Dare to Dream on Cyclone Records in 2007 and is continuing with his band Negus.

Steves success with Saga over the next twenty six years is well documented, with many gold and platinum selling CDs in Europe, Canada and the U.S. The rhythms in the songs are easily identifiable as some of Steve's best work. In 1981, the band went to England to work with Rupert Hine as producer, and Worlds Apart was recorded at Farmyard Studios.

This album went on to hit top 30 in the U.S. and number 2 on the German charts, but couldn't move the Chris de Burgh album, The Getaway, which held the number one spot. Interestingly enough, Rupert, who loved Steve's playing, had Negus fly back to England to play drums on that CD as well! Don't Pay the Ferryman was the hit single from that CD.

For a couple of years in the late 80's, Negus and keyboardist Jim Gilmour left Saga and put together GNP (Gilmour Negus Project) with singer Robert Bevan for Virgin Records. The CD Safety Zone - produced by Steve - came out in 1989. Before a follow-up CD could be written and recorded, the boys reunited with Saga and the GNP project was shelved.

How Did Dare to Dream Come About?

How do you incorporate Saga music into the Negus shows?

Drums were always extremely important for Saga concerts. Do you continue that tradition with something like your famous "A Brief Case" drum solo?

What was a big career highlight?

What do you remember from the glory days of the 80s and 90s, when you were at the peak?