Sanderson was born in Kfar Blum in Israel, grew up in Haifa and Savion and at the age of 10 moved with his family to the United States where he lived until he was 18. Sanderson was drawn early in life to music, and played in several rock bands, mainly influenced by mid-60s American pop and rock. At the age of 18 he was conscripted to the Israel Defense Force and played guitar with the Nahal military singing band. Sanderson was mainly noted at the time as a phenomenal guitar player, but soon also gained reputation as a composer and arranger.