Saxon (band)
Saxon are an English heavy metal band formed in Barnsley in 1975. As leaders of the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM), they had eight UK Top 40 albums during the 1980s including four UK Top 10 albums and two Top 5 albums. They had numerous hit singles on the UK Singles Chart and experienced success all over Europe and Japan, as well as in the United States.
Saxon
Son of a Bitch (1975–1978)
Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England
1975–present
- Militia Guard
- SPV/Steamhammer
- CMC International
- Virgin
- EMI
- Parlophone
- Warner
- Carrere
Biff Byford
Nigel Glockler
Nibbs Carter
Doug Scarratt
Brian Tatler
Paul Quinn
Graham Oliver
Steve Dawson
Pete Gill
Paul Johnson
Nigel Durham
Fritz Randow
Jörg Michael
During the 1980s, Saxon established themselves among Europe's most successful metal acts. The band tours regularly and have sold more than 23 million records worldwide.[1]
History[edit]
Formation and early years (1975–1979)[edit]
Saxon came together from components of two Yorkshire bands: S.O.B. and Coast. The former was initially called Blue Condition, forming in 1970 with Graham Oliver on guitar, Steve "Dobby" Dawson on bass, and John Walker on drums. Their style was blues rock and hard rock. Shifting the line-up, Blue Condition changed their name to S.O.B. in 1974, taking inspiration from the 1972 Free album Tons of Sobs. Meanwhile, Coast was a local rival rock band named after the 1972 song "Coast to Coast" by Trapeze. Coast contained a singing bass player Peter "Biff" Byford, and guitarist Paul Quinn. In 1975, Coast was falling apart, and S.O.B.'s lead singer and guitarist Steve Furth left to go solo, so in November 1975 a new band was formed by S.O.B.'s Oliver, Dawson and Walker, and Coast's Byford and Quinn. Byford became the new lead singer. They adopted the name Son of a Bitch for its more aggressive tone, and they pushed toward a heavier sound. They recorded a demo known as Tapestry in late 1975, and gigged extensively during 1975–1978. Walker quit after a couple of years, and was replaced briefly by Dave Cowell in 1977.[2][3] Former Glitter Band member Pete Gill soon replaced Cowell as drummer.[4]
In 1978, the band began negotiating with the French disco-oriented record label Carrere Records, run by Freddy Cannon in the UK. Carrere refused the band name Son of a Bitch because it would be impossible to obtain radio airplay, so the band changed their name to Saxon in July, and signed a contract with Carrere in September. They began by supporting established bands such as Motörhead and Ian Gillan Band, and released their first album Saxon in 1979.[2]
Success in the UK (1980–1982)[edit]
Wheels of Steel, released in 1980,[2] charted at No. 5 in the UK Albums Chart. It resulted in two hit songs: the title track and the crowd favourite "747 (Strangers in the Night)".[2] As a result, Saxon began a series of long UK tours. On 16 August, they earned a positive reception at the first Monsters of Rock festival, commemorated by the following year's "And the Bands Played On".[2] Their set was recorded, but not officially released until 2000. In April, Saxon made the first of many appearances on Top of the Pops, performing the hit "Wheels of Steel".
Strong Arm of the Law was released later in the year,[2] charting at No. 11 in the UK. Two singles were issued: the title track and "Dallas 1PM", the latter about the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Sold-out tours of Europe and the UK followed as the album charted in several European countries. The band was also popular in Japan, where the single "Motorcycle Man" stayed in the charts for almost six months.
"On the Strong Arm of the Law tour, in 1981, we met Harry Shearer," Dawson recalled. "We thought he was just an American journalist. He spent three days on the road with us. [When] we all went to see This Is Spinal Tap, I didn't recognise Harry. I was too busy laughing my head off. But some of the other guys didn't see the funny side."[5]
In 1981, the band released their fourth album Denim and Leather,[2] dedicated to their fan base. Still popular today, its title track "Denim and Leather" is regarded as a metal anthem. The album also featured fan favourites such as "Princess of the Night", "Never Surrender", and "And the Bands Played On" – all UK Top 20 hits. Denim and Leather followed its predecessor's success and went Gold in several European countries, including the UK. By this time, the band was seen as the leaders of the NWOBHM movement, with future greats Iron Maiden and Def Leppard following close behind.[2]
Just as the band was to embark on a long tour to follow the success of Denim and Leather, drummer Pete Gill left, after injuring his hand.[2] The band quickly replaced him with Nigel Glockler, formerly of Toyah,[2] who had to learn the entire set within a day and a half. Glockler is still with the band today.
Headlining tours around the UK and a sold-out tour in Europe with support act Ozzy Osbourne resulted in The Eagle Has Landed (1982, UK No. 5).[2] It was planned as a double album, but the record company decided to release it as a single live album, despite protests from the band. Saxon also played the Monsters of Rock festival again in 1982, becoming the first band to appear there twice.[2]
Power & the Glory and EMI years (1983–1987)[edit]
As the NWOBHM movement began to fade, 1983's Power & the Glory,[2] their best-selling album to date, saw Saxon confirmed as one of the leading metal acts in Europe, along with Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. The "Power and Glory Tour" was an arena tour that began in Europe and was a huge success. The US leg of the tour, as special guest to Iron Maiden, along with Fastway, proved to be successful and Saxon found themselves 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 cover art of the album was produced by Hollywood film director Ridley Scott.
In late 1983, Saxon left Carrere and signed with EMI Records in 1984, with their first release on the label being Crusader.[2] Though still heavy, critics felt the album had a more commercial sound, and fans began to wonder what direction the band was taking. Despite its commercial sound, the title track became a fan favourite. The album sold over two million copies and the 1984 world tour "The World Crusade" was a success both in Europe and America. In the US, the band toured with Accept as their special guests, as well as supporting Mötley Crüe for some shows of a yearlong tour.
With the release of Innocence Is No Excuse in 1985, the band continued to take a more commercial direction,[2] and this divided fans as the band's once raw, heavy sound had been watered down for the large US market. A huge sold out world tour in support of the album followed, but tensions began to appear within the band and, by early 1986, bassist Steve Dawson was fired,[6] and Saxon was forced to record their eighth studio album Rock the Nations without a replacement.[2] With Elton John making guest appearances as pianist on two tracks, and Byford recording the bass parts, the album charted higher than its predecessor and was considered a success. They hired bassist Paul Johnson to play for the band's European arena tour that followed. In the summer of 1986, Saxon headlined the Reading Festival and toured the United States.
In 1987, the band took time off from the constant touring and recording that had begun in the mid 1970s, and only a minor tour of the U.S. and Canada was scheduled. In early 1987, Nigel Glockler left the band and was replaced by Nigel Durham.
Decline of fan base and continued European success (1988–1993)[edit]
The band found it hard to attain chart success in America; the release of Destiny (1988) did not change this,[2] and Saxon were later dropped by EMI. In 1988, Paul Johnson was replaced by Nibbs Carter. Nigel Glockler also decided to return to the band. 1989 saw the release of Rock n Roll Gypsies,[2] a live album recorded on an arena tour of eastern Europe in 1988, but by 1989, the gigs at the big stadiums and arenas of Europe and the US were few and far between and, with no record deal, Saxon's future was uncertain.
The band eventually decided to embark on a European tour titled '10 Years of Denim and Leather' which proved to be a successful move as the band was re-established as a popular act. In 1990, they signed to Virgin Records and started work on their new album Solid Ball of Rock, which was released in 1991 and proved to be successful.[2] In 1992, Saxon sustained this success with the release of Forever Free. The album was produced by Biff Byford and Herwig Ursin. A UK version of the album featured an alternate cover with a "Space Marine" from the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop wargame. "Iron Wheels" was released as a single. The song was written about and dedicated to Byford's father who worked in the coal mines of Yorkshire.
Legacy[edit]
Saxon have been cited as a major influence or inspiration by numerous bands, including Mötley Crüe, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Pantera, Testament, Dokken, Skid Row, Dream Theater, Exodus, Overkill, King Diamond and Celtic Frost.[45][46][47][48]