Saxon (band)

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Saxon is a British heavy metal band, formed in 1976 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. As leading lights in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal they had a brief period of UK Top 40 success in the early 1980s, and also tasted success in Europe and Japan. They still tour regularly and often.

History

Their original line up consisted of Peter "Biff" Byford on vocals, Paul Quinn and Graham Oliver on guitars, Steve Dawson on bass and drummer Pete Gill. Early in their career the band changed their name from "Son of a Bitch" to Saxon, and gained support slots on tour with more established bands such as Motörhead.

In 1979 the band signed to the Carrere record label and released their eponymous debut album. In 1980 follow-up album Wheels of Steel spawned two hit singles: the title track, and the crowd favourite 747 (Strangers in the Night). The Strong Arm of the Law album, considered by fans to be one of their best recordings, was released later that same year, and chart success continued with singles from their next release, Denim and Leather. The title track to that album is seen as an anthem of the early 1980s metal movement.

A relentless series of headlining tours around the U.K. capitalised on this success, but Saxon were never able to break into the lucrative U.S. market. After 1983's Power and the Glory album, Saxon went in an increasingly commercial direction, but with little success despite signing to major record label EMI. Indeed, the move did little more than alienate their core fanbase. They were seen by detractors as the epitome of the heavy metal cliché. Recently, they have returned to their less overtly commercial roots, and still have a cult following.

Saxon recently did a 25th Anniversary of NWOBHM tour of Germany beginning in early March 2005. To celebrate the anniversary of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), the band played songs they recorded during the 1980s.

Line-up

Throughout the band's history line-up changes have been common, but with Byford and Quinn remaining as constants. Gill left in 1981 after injuring his hand, to be replaced by Nigel Glockler, formerly of Toyah Willcox's band, who was himself replaced twice - briefly between 1987 and 1988 (by Nigel Durham), and, more permanently, following an injury of his own in 1998. Gill later went on to play for Motörhead. Dawson departed in 1986 - his replacement, Paul Johnson, lasted two years before leaving. Nibbs Carter has filled the position ever since. Fellow founder member Oliver departed in 1995 and was replaced by Doug Scarret.

Since then the line-up has been fairly stable apart from the departure of a few drummers. Following Glockler's departure, German Fritz Randow took up the position until 2004. His replacement was former Stratovarius man Jörg Michael.

The line-up that played on the recent Lionheart album consisted of Byford on vocals, guitarists Quinn and Scarrat, Carter on bass and Michael on drums. The German originally agreed to perform on the album as a session musician, but following his firing from Stratovarius was hired as a full-time member. Following the rapid reunion of Stratovarius, Michael departed after only a year in the job, opening the door for Glockler to return to Saxon.

Dawson and Oliver both went on to form a new incarnation of Son of a Bitch, which later transformed into an alternative Saxon. A legal battle saw the rights to the name go to Byford's version of the group, with the other outfit performing under the name Oliver-Dawson Saxon.

Spinal Tap

Dawson has claimed that the character of Derek Smalls from the spoof-metal band Spinal Tap was strongly influenced by him, particularly his prominent facial hair and his penchant for playing to the gallery by fingering his bass with his left hand while throwing a mano cornuto with his right.

Line-up

Current lineup

• Biff Byford - vocals
• Doug Scarret - guitar
• Paul Quinn - guitar
• Nibbs Carter - bass
• Nigel Glockler - drums

Original lineup

• Biff Byford - vocals
• Graham Oliver - guitar
• Paul Quinn - guitar
• Steve Dawson - bass
• Pete Gill - drums

Former members

• Fritz Randow - drums and percussion
• Jörg Michael - drums and percussion
• Graham Oliver - guitar
• Paul Johnson - bass
• Steve Dawson - bass
• Nigel Durham - drums
• Pete Gill - drums

Albums

Studio albums

• (1979) Saxon

• (1980) Wheels of Steel - #5 UK
• (1980) Strong Arm of the Law- #11 UK
• (1981) Denim and Leather - #9 UK
• (1983) Power and the Glory - #15 UK, #155 US
• (1984) Crusader - #18 UK, #174 US
• (1985) Innocence Is No Excuse - #36 UK, #133 US
• (1986) Rock the Nations - #34 UK, #149 US
• (1988) Destiny #49 UK

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