Saxon (band)
Encyclopedia
Saxon are an English heavy metal
band, formed in 1976 in Barnsley
, Yorkshire
. As front-runners of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal
, they had 8 UK Top 40 albums in the 1980s including 4 UK Top 10 albums. Saxon also had numerous singles in the Top 20 singles chart. Between 1980 and 1987 Saxon established themselves as one of Europe's
biggest metal acts, they also had success in Japan and in the USA. In Japan, the single "Motorcycle Man" stayed in the charts for over 5 months. They still tour regularly and have sold more than 13 million albums worldwide.
on vocals, Paul Quinn
and Graham Oliver
on guitar
s, Steve "Dobby" Dawson
on bass
and drummer
Pete "Frank" 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 French record label Carrere and released their eponymous debut album
. In 1980, the follow-up album Wheels of Steel
(UK no 5) spawned two hit singles: the title track, and the crowd favourite "747 (Strangers in the Night)". Strong Arm of the Law
(UK no 11), 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
(1981 UK no 9). The title track to that album is seen as an anthem of the early 1980s metal movement. Later legal issues with Carrere negated most if not all of the financial gains seen during their early success.
A relentless series of headlining tours around the UK capitalised on this success and a sold out tour of Europe with Ozzy Osbourne
as support act highlighted Saxon's immense ability on the road and was set in stone with the live release The Eagle Has Landed
(1982 UK no 5).
As the NWOBHM movement began to fade, 1983 Power & the Glory, their highest selling album to date, saw Saxon establish themselves as one of the major European metal acts together with Iron Maiden
and Judas Priest
. The "Power and Glory Tour" of 1983 was an arena tour that began in Europe and was a huge success. The US leg of the tour with support act Accept proved successful and Saxon found themselves on the verge of becoming a major act in the US as the album, in its first week of release, sold more than 15,000 copies in Los Angeles alone. The emerging glam metal
scene in America would however put a dent in the band's conquest of the American market.
Crusader
, released in 1984 (UK no 12) sold over 2 million copies and the 1984 world tour "The World Crusade" was again a success both in Europe and America. In the US they had Mötley Crüe
and Krokus
as support for parts of the tour as the band spent one year on the road. Though still heavy, critics detected a more americanized sound on Crusader and fans began to wonder what direction the band was taking.
They signed with EMI Records
in 1985 and took a more commercial direction with their new record company. Innocence Is No Excuse
released in 1985, was a question mark to many fans as the raw, heavy Saxon-sound had been polished to gain US attraction. The album has however gained more critical acclaim with the years. A huge world tour followed, but in early 1986 bassist Steve Dawson left the band and Saxon was back in the studio recording their 8th studio album Rock the Nations
without a bass player. With Elton John
guest playing on piano on 2 tracks, Byford laid down the bass parts, but soon the band hired Paul Johnson to fill the spot and a European arena tour followed.
In 1986 they headlined the Reading Festival and toured the U.S.
With American success hard to find, the release of the disappointing Destiny
(1988) did not help and Saxon were later dropped by EMI. They found new life in 1990, signed to Virgin Records
and released five studio albums in the 90s before becoming increasingly popular in the new millennium with a string of strong album releases.
Headlining Wacken Open Air
, Bloodstock
and Monsters of Rock
continued their momentum and cemented the band's 25 year long reputation as one of metal's great live acts.
Near the end of the 90s the band was seen going into increasingly heavier metal areas, culminating in 1999 with Metalhead
, which had a bit of a power metal
sound to it.
Saxon's The Inner Sanctum
album, released in Europe on 5 March 2007, and North America on 3 April, was seen by many critics as their best work in years. In 2007, they started a world tour in support of The Inner Sanctum which saw them have only 15 nights off from 60 dates.
Saxon released a new studio album entitled "Into the Labyrinth" on 12 January 2009. In February, it was announced that the band were cancelling the Spanish leg of their European tour with Iced Earth
, due to scheduling issues.
At the start of 2009 they toured the UK with Doro
, and again at the end of the year they did a UK tour. In August of that year, they played on the Sunday at Sonisphere.
It has been confirmed that Saxon will be playing at the 30th anniversary of Donington Park
at the Download Festival
2010. They will be performing on Sunday following the headliners Aerosmith
, with a raft of bands that achieved wide success in the 1980s and were the frontrunners of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.
's Get Your Act Together.
As part of his programme, Goldsmith wanted to try and restore their popularity and cement their reputation as a great band once again. He drafted in two new producers to oversee the production of the new single If I Was You (a song about gun culture), which went straight to number one of the Rock Charts in over 10 countries (becoming their most successful single for over 12 years).
At the end of the programme, Saxon played at the sold out Sheffield City Hall. Saxon also performed at the 2008 Download Festival
.
, 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. Glockler rejoined the band in 2005 after his neck and shoulder injury had healed.
Gill later went on to play for Motörhead. Dawson departed in 1986 and his replacement, Paul Johnson, lasted two years before leaving. Nibbs Carter
has filled the position ever since.
When Graham Oliver left in 1995 (replaced by Doug Scarratt), the band split into two different Saxon groups — one dominated by vocalist Byford and his cohort Quinn and the other consisting of original Saxon members Oliver and Dawson. A period of legal actions ensued, resulting in both groups having the right to use Saxon in their name (although former member one must be indicated as "Oliver/Dawson Saxon
").
The line-up of Byford's Saxon 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 album Lionheart 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. Saxon recorded The Inner Sanctum
after the release of the live album The Eagle Has Landed - part 3
, which features Glockler and Micheal on drums, as well as former drummer Fritz Randow.
Graham Oliver and Paul Johnson have now formed a band called 'Screaming Eagles'.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band, formed in 1976 in Barnsley
Barnsley
Barnsley is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Dearne, north of the city of Sheffield, south of Leeds and west of Doncaster. Barnsley is surrounded by several smaller settlements which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley, of which Barnsley is the largest and...
, Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
. As front-runners of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal
New Wave of British Heavy Metal
The New Wave of British Heavy Metal was a heavy metal movement that started in the late 1970s, in Britain, and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. The movement developed as a reaction in part to the decline of early heavy metal bands such as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Black...
, they had 8 UK Top 40 albums in the 1980s including 4 UK Top 10 albums. Saxon also had numerous singles in the Top 20 singles chart. Between 1980 and 1987 Saxon established themselves as one of Europe's
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
biggest metal acts, they also had success in Japan and in the USA. In Japan, the single "Motorcycle Man" stayed in the charts for over 5 months. They still tour regularly and have sold more than 13 million albums worldwide.
History
Saxon began with a lineup formed by Peter "Biff" ByfordBiff Byford
Peter Rodney "Biff" Byford is an English rock singer, best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Saxon. Byford formed Son of a Bitch with guitarists Graham Oliver and Paul Quinn, bassist Steve Dawson and drummer Pete Gill in 1976...
on vocals, Paul Quinn
Paul Quinn (guitarist)
Paul Quinn is an English lead guitarist, and the founding member of the NWOBHM band, Saxon. Other than Biff Byford, Quinn is the only remaining member of Saxon's original line up, and is present on every Saxon release...
and Graham Oliver
Graham Oliver
Graham Oliver is an English guitarist.-Career:He played with the heavy metal band Saxon from 1977 to 1994. After leaving the band he initially reformed his old band Son of a Bitch with former Saxon bassist Steve Dawson and drummer Pete Gill...
on guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, Steve "Dobby" Dawson
Steve Dawson
Steven "Dobby" Dawson , is an English bass guitarist, founder of Saxon.Dawson was the inspiration for Harry Shearer's Spinal Tap character Derek Smalls.-Saxon:*Saxon *Wheels of Steel...
on bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Pete "Frank" Gill
Pete Gill
Pete Gill is a heavy metal drummer, formerly a member of The Glitter Band, Saxon and Motörhead.Gill was one of the two drummers in The Glitter Band, then formed part of the original line up Saxon in 1978. He stayed with them until 1981 when he injured his hand...
. 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 French record label Carrere and released their eponymous debut album
Saxon (album)
Saxon is the debut studio album by British heavy metal band Saxon released in 1979 .-Track listing:Bonus tracks on 2009 remastered album-Personnel:*Biff Byford - vocals*Graham Oliver - guitar*Paul Quinn - guitar...
. In 1980, the follow-up album Wheels of Steel
Wheels of Steel
Wheels of Steel is the second studio album by heavy metal band Saxon. It was released in 1980 .Despite its lyric, "747 " does not appear to be based on any actual incidents....
(UK no 5) spawned two hit singles: the title track, and the crowd favourite "747 (Strangers in the Night)". Strong Arm of the Law
Strong Arm of the Law
Strong Arm of The Law is the third studio album by heavy metal band Saxon released in 1980. This was released a few months after the classic Wheels of Steel and debuted on the UK chart at #11."Dallas 1 PM" was written about the assassination of John F...
(UK no 11), 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
Denim and Leather
Denim and Leather is the fourth studio album by English heavy metal band Saxon released in 1981 . The name of the album and song was inspired by the popular attire of metalheads in the early 1980s, defined by denim pants and leather jackets...
(1981 UK no 9). The title track to that album is seen as an anthem of the early 1980s metal movement. Later legal issues with Carrere negated most if not all of the financial gains seen during their early success.
A relentless series of headlining tours around the UK capitalised on this success and a sold out tour of Europe with Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
as support act highlighted Saxon's immense ability on the road and was set in stone with the live release The Eagle Has Landed
The Eagle Has Landed (album)
The Eagle Has Landed is the first live album by heavy metal band Saxon. It was recorded during the 1981 European leg of the world tour and released in 1982.It won the British Heavy Metal live 1982 Award.-Track listing:- Personnel :...
(1982 UK no 5).
As the NWOBHM movement began to fade, 1983 Power & the Glory, their highest selling album to date, saw Saxon establish themselves as one of the major European metal acts together with Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
and Judas Priest
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
. The "Power and Glory Tour" of 1983 was an arena tour that began in Europe and was a huge success. The US leg of the tour with support act Accept proved successful and Saxon found themselves on the verge of becoming a major act in the US as the album, in its first week of release, sold more than 15,000 copies in Los Angeles alone. The emerging glam metal
Glam metal
Glam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
scene in America would however put a dent in the band's conquest of the American market.
Crusader
Crusader (Saxon album)
Crusader is the sixth studio album by heavy metal band Saxon released in 1984 . The album sold over 2 million copies.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Biff Byford - Vocals*Graham Oliver - Guitar*Paul Quinn - Guitar*Steve Dawson - Bass...
, released in 1984 (UK no 12) sold over 2 million copies and the 1984 world tour "The World Crusade" was again a success both in Europe and America. In the US they had Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
and Krokus
Krokus (band)
Krokus is a hard rock/heavy metal band from Switzerland. They enjoyed moderate success in North America during the 1980s.Krokus was founded in Solothurn in 1974 by bassist Chris von Rohr and guitarist Tommy Kiefer...
as support for parts of the tour as the band spent one year on the road. Though still heavy, critics detected a more americanized sound on Crusader and fans began to wonder what direction the band was taking.
They signed with EMI Records
EMI Records
EMI Records is the flagship record label founded by the EMI company in 1972 and launched in January 1973 as the successor to its Columbia label. The EMI label was launched worldwide...
in 1985 and took a more commercial direction with their new record company. Innocence Is No Excuse
Innocence Is No Excuse
Innocence Is No Excuse is the seventh studio album by heavy metal band Saxon released in 1985 . it was the group's first album for EMI after a falling-out with their previous label, Carrere Records...
released in 1985, was a question mark to many fans as the raw, heavy Saxon-sound had been polished to gain US attraction. The album has however gained more critical acclaim with the years. A huge world tour followed, but in early 1986 bassist Steve Dawson left the band and Saxon was back in the studio recording their 8th studio album Rock the Nations
Rock the Nations
Rock the Nations is the eighth studio album by heavy metal band Saxon released in 1986 . Elton John, who was recording the tracks for his album Leather Jackets in the same studio, is featured on the songs "Party Til You Puke" and "Northern Lady".-Track listing:-Personnel:*Biff Byford - vocals,...
without a bass player. With Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
guest playing on piano on 2 tracks, Byford laid down the bass parts, but soon the band hired Paul Johnson to fill the spot and a European arena tour followed.
In 1986 they headlined the Reading Festival and toured the U.S.
With American success hard to find, the release of the disappointing Destiny
Destiny (Saxon album)
Destiny is the ninth studio album by heavy metal band Saxon released in 1988.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Biff Byford - vocals*Graham Oliver - guitar*Paul Quinn - guitar*Paul Johnson - bass*Nigel Durham - drums-Additional Musicians:...
(1988) did not help and Saxon were later dropped by EMI. They found new life in 1990, signed to Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
and released five studio albums in the 90s before becoming increasingly popular in the new millennium with a string of strong album releases.
Headlining Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air is a summer open air heavy metal music festival. It takes place annually in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany...
, Bloodstock
Bloodstock Open Air
Bloodstock Open Air is a heavy metal festival held annually at Catton Hall in Walton-upon-Trent, England, since 2005. Previous line-ups have included bands such as Opeth , Children of Bodom , Nightwish , Cradle of Filth , Testament , Arch Enemy , Europe and Twisted Sister .Originally on one stage...
and Monsters of Rock
Monsters of Rock
Monsters of Rock was an annual music festival held in England, then moved in other locations like The Netherlands, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile.The Last show was in 2008....
continued their momentum and cemented the band's 25 year long reputation as one of metal's great live acts.
Near the end of the 90s the band was seen going into increasingly heavier metal areas, culminating in 1999 with Metalhead
Metalhead (album)
Metalhead is the fourteenth studio album by heavy metal band Saxon released in 1999 .-Track listing:-Personnel:*Biff Byford - vocals*Paul Quinn - Guitar*Doug Scarratt - Guitar*Nibbs Carter - Bass*Fritz Randow - drums...
, which had a bit of a power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
sound to it.
Saxon's The Inner Sanctum
The Inner Sanctum
The Inner Sanctum is the seventeenth album by the British heavy metal band Saxon, released on March 5, 2007. A limited edition with DVD is available too....
album, released in Europe on 5 March 2007, and North America on 3 April, was seen by many critics as their best work in years. In 2007, they started a world tour in support of The Inner Sanctum which saw them have only 15 nights off from 60 dates.
Saxon released a new studio album entitled "Into the Labyrinth" on 12 January 2009. In February, it was announced that the band were cancelling the Spanish leg of their European tour with Iced Earth
Iced Earth
Iced Earth is an American heavy metal band from Tampa, Florida. Originally formed under the name "Purgatory" in 1984, Iced Earth has released a total of ten studio albums, one live album, three EP's, two compilations and boxsets...
, due to scheduling issues.
At the start of 2009 they toured the UK with Doro
Doro (musician)
Dorothee Pesch , popularly known as Doro Pesch or Doro, is a female rock vocalist, formerly of the German heavy metal band Warlock ....
, and again at the end of the year they did a UK tour. In August of that year, they played on the Sunday at Sonisphere.
It has been confirmed that Saxon will be playing at the 30th anniversary of Donington Park
Donington Park
Donington Park is a motorsport circuit near Castle Donington in Leicestershire, England.Originally part of the Donington Hall estate, it was created as a racing circuit during the pre-war period when the German Silver Arrows were battling for the European Championship...
at the Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
2010. They will be performing on Sunday following the headliners Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
, with a raft of bands that achieved wide success in the 1980s and were the frontrunners of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.
Collaboration with Harvey Goldsmith
In 2007, Saxon were the subject of an episode of Harvey GoldsmithHarvey Goldsmith
Harvey Goldsmith CBE is a British performing arts promoter. He is best known as promoter of rock concerts, charity concerts, television broadcasts for the Prince's Trust and more recently the Teenage Cancer Trust shows at the Royal Albert Hall.During early 2007 he appeared on the Channel 4...
's Get Your Act Together.
As part of his programme, Goldsmith wanted to try and restore their popularity and cement their reputation as a great band once again. He drafted in two new producers to oversee the production of the new single If I Was You (a song about gun culture), which went straight to number one of the Rock Charts in over 10 countries (becoming their most successful single for over 12 years).
At the end of the programme, Saxon played at the sold out Sheffield City Hall. Saxon also performed at the 2008 Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
.
Line-ups
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 GlocklerNigel Glockler
Nigel Glockler is an English drummer for the NWOBHM band, Saxon.His first professional musical experience was the UK band Krakatoa, followed by session work. He joined Toyah Willcox's band in late 1980...
, formerly of Toyah Willcox
Toyah Willcox
Toyah Ann Willcox is an English actress and singer. In a career spanning more than thirty years Toyah has had 13 top 40 singles, released 22 studio albums, written two books, appeared in over forty stage plays and ten feature films, as well as voicing and presenting numerous television shows...
's band, who was himself replaced twice, briefly between 1987 and 1988 (by Nigel Durham
Nigel Durham
Nigel Durham is the drummer on Saxon's album Destiny. He now performs with former Saxon members Steve Dawson and Graham Oliver in Oliver/Dawson Saxon....
), and, more permanently, following an injury of his own in 1998. Glockler rejoined the band in 2005 after his neck and shoulder injury had healed.
Gill later went on to play for Motörhead. Dawson departed in 1986 and his replacement, Paul Johnson, lasted two years before leaving. Nibbs Carter
Nibbs Carter
Timothy 'Nibbs' Carter , British born bassist for heavy metal band Saxon. He is the most enduring bass player in Saxon history, appearing on thirteen of their albums...
has filled the position ever since.
When Graham Oliver left in 1995 (replaced by Doug Scarratt), the band split into two different Saxon groups — one dominated by vocalist Byford and his cohort Quinn and the other consisting of original Saxon members Oliver and Dawson. A period of legal actions ensued, resulting in both groups having the right to use Saxon in their name (although former member one must be indicated as "Oliver/Dawson Saxon
Oliver/Dawson Saxon
Oliver/Dawson Saxon is an English heavy metal band formed in 1995 by former members of Saxon, guitarist Graham Oliver and bassist Steve Dawson.-Oliver/Dawson Saxon :...
").
The line-up of Byford's Saxon has been fairly stable apart from the departure of a few drummers. Following Glockler's departure, German Fritz Randow
Fritz Randow
Fritz Randow is a drummer from Germany. He has played in rock and heavy metal oriented bands such as Eloy, Victory, Sinner and Saxon and in 2007 with Peter Panka's Jane.-Biography:Randow started playing the drums when he was 13 years old...
took up the position until 2004. His replacement was former Stratovarius
Stratovarius
Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
man Jörg Michael
Jörg Michael
Jörg Michael is a German drummer. He is well-known for his time in the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius and several other bands....
.
The line-up that played on the album Lionheart 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
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
, but following his firing from Stratovarius
Stratovarius
Stratovarius are a Finnish power metal band that formed in 1984. Since their formation they have released 13 studio albums and one live album. Along with Helloween, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire and Gamma Ray, Stratovarius are considered one of the leading groups of the power metal and symphonic...
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. Saxon recorded The Inner Sanctum
The Inner Sanctum
The Inner Sanctum is the seventeenth album by the British heavy metal band Saxon, released on March 5, 2007. A limited edition with DVD is available too....
after the release of the live album The Eagle Has Landed - part 3
The Eagle Has Landed - part 3
The Eagle Has Landed - part III is a double live album by the band Saxon.-Track listing:-Credits:*Biff Byford - vocals *Doug Scarratt - Guitar*Paul Quinn - Guitar*Nibbs Carter - Bass*Nigel Glockler - drums...
, which features Glockler and Micheal on drums, as well as former drummer Fritz Randow.
Graham Oliver and Paul Johnson have now formed a band called 'Screaming Eagles'.
Current members
- Biff ByfordBiff ByfordPeter Rodney "Biff" Byford is an English rock singer, best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Saxon. Byford formed Son of a Bitch with guitarists Graham Oliver and Paul Quinn, bassist Steve Dawson and drummer Pete Gill in 1976...
– vocals (1976–present) - Doug Scarratt – rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
(1996–present) - Paul QuinnPaul Quinn (guitarist)Paul Quinn is an English lead guitarist, and the founding member of the NWOBHM band, Saxon. Other than Biff Byford, Quinn is the only remaining member of Saxon's original line up, and is present on every Saxon release...
– lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
(1976–present) - Nigel GlocklerNigel GlocklerNigel Glockler is an English drummer for the NWOBHM band, Saxon.His first professional musical experience was the UK band Krakatoa, followed by session work. He joined Toyah Willcox's band in late 1980...
– drums (1981–1987, 1988–1999, 2005–present) - Nibbs CarterNibbs CarterTimothy 'Nibbs' Carter , British born bassist for heavy metal band Saxon. He is the most enduring bass player in Saxon history, appearing on thirteen of their albums...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1988–present)
Former members
- Graham OliverGraham OliverGraham Oliver is an English guitarist.-Career:He played with the heavy metal band Saxon from 1977 to 1994. After leaving the band he initially reformed his old band Son of a Bitch with former Saxon bassist Steve Dawson and drummer Pete Gill...
– rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
(1976–1996) - Steve DawsonSteve DawsonSteven "Dobby" Dawson , is an English bass guitarist, founder of Saxon.Dawson was the inspiration for Harry Shearer's Spinal Tap character Derek Smalls.-Saxon:*Saxon *Wheels of Steel...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1976–1986) - David Ward – drums (1976–1978)
- Pete GillPete GillPete Gill is a heavy metal drummer, formerly a member of The Glitter Band, Saxon and Motörhead.Gill was one of the two drummers in The Glitter Band, then formed part of the original line up Saxon in 1978. He stayed with them until 1981 when he injured his hand...
– drums (1978–1981) - Paul Johnson – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1986–1988) - Fritz RandowFritz RandowFritz Randow is a drummer from Germany. He has played in rock and heavy metal oriented bands such as Eloy, Victory, Sinner and Saxon and in 2007 with Peter Panka's Jane.-Biography:Randow started playing the drums when he was 13 years old...
– drums (1999–2004) - Jorg MichaelJörg MichaelJörg Michael is a German drummer. He is well-known for his time in the Finnish power metal band Stratovarius and several other bands....
– drums (2004–2005)
Discography
- SaxonSaxon (album)Saxon is the debut studio album by British heavy metal band Saxon released in 1979 .-Track listing:Bonus tracks on 2009 remastered album-Personnel:*Biff Byford - vocals*Graham Oliver - guitar*Paul Quinn - guitar...
(1979) - Wheels of SteelWheels of SteelWheels of Steel is the second studio album by heavy metal band Saxon. It was released in 1980 .Despite its lyric, "747 " does not appear to be based on any actual incidents....
(1980) - Strong Arm of the LawStrong Arm of the LawStrong Arm of The Law is the third studio album by heavy metal band Saxon released in 1980. This was released a few months after the classic Wheels of Steel and debuted on the UK chart at #11."Dallas 1 PM" was written about the assassination of John F...
(1980) - Denim and LeatherDenim and LeatherDenim and Leather is the fourth studio album by English heavy metal band Saxon released in 1981 . The name of the album and song was inspired by the popular attire of metalheads in the early 1980s, defined by denim pants and leather jackets...
(1981) - Power & the Glory (1983)
- CrusaderCrusader (Saxon album)Crusader is the sixth studio album by heavy metal band Saxon released in 1984 . The album sold over 2 million copies.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Biff Byford - Vocals*Graham Oliver - Guitar*Paul Quinn - Guitar*Steve Dawson - Bass...
(1984) - Innocence Is No ExcuseInnocence Is No ExcuseInnocence Is No Excuse is the seventh studio album by heavy metal band Saxon released in 1985 . it was the group's first album for EMI after a falling-out with their previous label, Carrere Records...
(1985) - Rock the NationsRock the NationsRock the Nations is the eighth studio album by heavy metal band Saxon released in 1986 . Elton John, who was recording the tracks for his album Leather Jackets in the same studio, is featured on the songs "Party Til You Puke" and "Northern Lady".-Track listing:-Personnel:*Biff Byford - vocals,...
(1986) - DestinyDestiny (Saxon album)Destiny is the ninth studio album by heavy metal band Saxon released in 1988.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Biff Byford - vocals*Graham Oliver - guitar*Paul Quinn - guitar*Paul Johnson - bass*Nigel Durham - drums-Additional Musicians:...
(1988) - Solid Ball of RockSolid Ball of RockSolid Ball of Rock is the tenth studio album by heavy metal band Saxon released in 1991 .Interestingly, five of the 11 tracks on Solid Ball of Rock were written by new bassist Nibbs Carter, who co-wrote an additional three songs....
(1990) - Forever FreeForever Free (Saxon album)Forever Free is the eleventh studio album by heavy metal band Saxon released in 1992 .A UK version of the album features a cover of a biker Space Marine from the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop wargame.-Track listing:-Personnel:...
(1992) - Dogs of WarDogs of War (album)Dogs of War is the twelfth studio album by heavy metal band Saxon released in 1995 . It is the last album to feature Graham Oliver on guitar.-Track listing:...
(1995) - Unleash the BeastUnleash the Beast-Track listing:- Personnel :* Biff Byford - Vocals* Doug Scarratt - Guitar* Paul Quinn - Guitar* Nibbs Carter - Bass* Nigel Glockler - Drums-Lyrical Concept:# "Unleash the Beast" is about a fictional story of stone gargoyles coming alive....
(1997) - MetalheadMetalhead (album)Metalhead is the fourteenth studio album by heavy metal band Saxon released in 1999 .-Track listing:-Personnel:*Biff Byford - vocals*Paul Quinn - Guitar*Doug Scarratt - Guitar*Nibbs Carter - Bass*Fritz Randow - drums...
(1999) - Killing GroundKilling GroundKilling Ground is the fifteenth full-length studio album by heavy metal band Saxon released in 2001 .Killing Ground was also released as a special Digi-pack edition with a bonus disc featuring 8 classics re-recorded tracks which would later appear in Heavy Metal Thunder."The Court of the Crimson...
(2001) - LionheartLionheart (Saxon album)Lionheart is the sixteenth studio album by heavy metal band Saxon released in 2004 .The album title is inspired from Richard Lionheart, King of England. "Beyond the Grave" was released as a single and a video...
(2004) - The Inner SanctumThe Inner SanctumThe Inner Sanctum is the seventeenth album by the British heavy metal band Saxon, released on March 5, 2007. A limited edition with DVD is available too....
(2007) - Into the LabyrinthInto the Labyrinth (Saxon album)Into the Labyrinth is the 18th studio album by British heavy metal band Saxon, which was released on 9 January 2009. The album was made in between Saxon tours in 2008 and written by the band in England and at Biff Byford's house in France. The first single "Live to Rock" was released on 17 October...
(2009) - Call to ArmsCall to Arms (Saxon album)Call To Arms is the 19th studio album by British heavy metal band Saxon. Call to Arms was released the 3 June in Europe; 6 June in Denmark, Finland, and the UK; 8 June in Greece and Poland; 10 June in France. Previously, it was due to be released on 23 May 2011. The album was released on 27...
(2011)