the release of "zaragon" followed an extremely successful period in the career of john miles who, during 1976 and 1977, had enjoyed two hit albums ("rebel" and "stranger in the city") and four successful singles. decca remained miles' record label in the uk but, for the us release, arista records paid $500,000 to buy out his contract with london records. an advance of $500,000 made this into a million-dollar album before release.