Somewhere around South Yorkshire there was a band that started life as Sob during 1976 with founder members Graham Oliver and Steve Dawson. This band joined forces with another local band, Coast, featuring Biff Byford on vocals and Paul Quinn on guitar. The two bands then finalised with a line-up comprising of the then 26 year old Graham 'Oly' Oliver, Steve 'Dobby' Dawson (27), Paul 'Blute' Quinn (26), Pete 'Frank' Gill (27) and Peter 'Biff' Byford (27). The name of the band was 'Son Of A Bitch'. That name was dropped a few years later and the band re-christened themselves as 'SAXON'. They were at this time playing the usual rock clubs and concert support gigs, The Ian Gillan Band and Heavy Metal Kids, amongst others, playing all their own material. Demo tapes were recorded at Tapestry Studios, with producer John Verity (Ex. Argent singer/guitarist). They hawked these round the usual record companies only to be ignored as the New-wave was at its height at this time. After a few months the band finally gained a favourable reaction from EMI man Peter Hinton. He had come up to Barnsley to see the band play at the town's Civic Hall. He was very impressed and recommended SAXON to Claude Carrere as candidates for his new label on the British scene, Carrere Records. Claude decided to offer them a contract, after hearing the band's demo tapes. The album 'SAXON' (CAL 110) was recorded, again with producer John Verity, and was ready for world distribution in May 1979. The first single taken from the album was 'Big Teaser' c/w 'Stallions of the Highway' (CAR 118). Although 'Stallions of the Highway' was the band's first single in the nation's heavy metal charts, it eventually reached number one in the Powerhouse chart on July 24th 1979. Their second single 'Backs To The Wall' c/w 'Militia Guard' (CAR129) also reached the top in the Powerhouse charts in January 1980. The single was released to coincide with a nation-wide tour as special guests of MOTORHEAD. The tour, which began on November 10th at the Bracknell Sports Centre, took the band to all the major venues around the nation, including three nights at London's Hammersmith Odeon. The tour ended on December 16th at the specially arranged Christmas concert there. The band went into the studios again and recorded their second album 'Wheels Of Steel'.

'Wheels Of Steel' was released in may 1980. The album was produced by Pete Hinton and SAXON. It reached the top five of the UK album charts. The band appeared on 'Top Of The Pops' with their two hit singles 'Wheels Of Steel' and '747 (Strangers In The Night)'.

SAXON quickly recorded another album, titled 'Strong Arm Of The Law' and released it in November of the same year. The album was again produced by Pete Hinton and SAXON. Two singles were released, 'Strong Arm Of The Law' and 'Dallas 1PM'.

In 1981 the band had been on the road for most of the year, with little time for recording a follow-up. In the past few months they toured almost every country in the world. They were particularly successful in Japan, where the single 'Motorcycle Man' maintained a presence in the charts for a five month period. October 1981 saw the release of their fourth album, dedicated to their fans and their usual style of dress, 'Denim And Leather'. The album was backed up by a 46-day UK and European tour. 'Denim And Leather' went silver in the UK and charted all over Europe. Two singles, 'And The Bands Played On' and 'Never Surrender', were released from the album. Two days before the tour, drummer Pete Gill damaged a hand and Nigel Glockler, an old friend of SAXON, replaced him. He had to learn the whole set in a day and a half! He fulfilled all expectations and still occupies the drum stool.

The prime objective of 1982 was the conquering of the USA, on their second tour of 38 dates, from New York down to Florida, through Texas to the West Coast, finishing with four sell-out shows at the 'Whiskey' in L.A.; and three in San Francisco. The success of this tour prompted the rush release of 'Strong Arm Of The Law' in the US on May 21st, and the booking of a further tour in June/July. SAXON recorded a live album at the end of 1981, and released it on May 14th, 1982. The fans were asked to name the album, and the overwhelming choice of the title was 'The Eagle Has Landed'. The Eagle flew around the world to return for a 28-day British tour beginning on September 16th 1982. They appear at Castle Donnington's Monsters Of Rock Festival amidst touring the US. They play Dallas with Rainbow on Thursday, fly to England for Castle Donnington on Saturday and then fly back to the US on Monday for a show in New York, quickly followed by an appearance in Germany for their equivalent of the Monsters Of Rock Festival! The appearance at Castle Donnington gave SAXON the title of first band to have played the Monsters of Rock Festival twice.

October/November saw SAXON back in the studio to work on their latest album with the title of 'Power And The Glory', produced by US producer Jeff Glixman. In Los Angeles alone it sells 15,000 copies in its first week. Three videos are released: 'Power And The Glory', 'Nightmare' and the re-recorded 'Suzy Hold On'. Touring was inevitable and was a great success. Also released was the video 'Live', a concert filmed in Nottingham. Unfortunately, 1983 was the year that saw SAXON's departure from Carrere, the original label that signed the band. This was due to some inside discrepancies on the part of Carrere regarding the actual sales of SAXON's albums. They were picked up and signed by EMI.

'Crusader' was the first album for SAXON to be released through EMI in 1984, although this was also the last album that Carrere handled, produced by Kevin Beamish and recorded in Los Angeles. This was the year that the band visited the States to tour yet again, this time in conjunction with Motley Crue, SAXON headlining some nights and Motley Crue the others. Iron Maiden toured the US in the same year and SAXON were invited to be special guests of theirs. The end of 1984 and during 1985 sees SAXON tour in support of 'Crusader' which is proving successful in the US. SAXON also tour with Accept supporting in Germany.

'Innocence Is No Excuse', the band's eighth album is released during September of 1985. The album was recorded at the Wisseloord Studio in Holland. 2 singles were released: 'Back On The Streets' and 'Rock And Roll Gypsy'. EMI released 'SAXON Live Innocence', a concert and 2 clips.

1986 was quite a year for SAXON with the departure of Steve Dawson, long-time bass player. He left, because of problems with his wife. 'She really fucked him up', as Biff said. In came unknown bassist, Paul Johnson. They recorded a new album titled 'Rock The Nations'. Biff actually handled all the bass parts, although the credit went to Paul Johnson. Three singles (and videos) were taken from the album: 'Northern Lady', 'Waiting For The Night' and 'Rock The Nations'. Elton John played piano on 'Party 'till you puke' and 'Northern Lady'. A tour of Europe was scheduled during 1986 and towards the end of the year Biff and the boys joined with Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force in the States.

1987 saw the departure of Nigel Glockler to the band GTR, a project band made up from ex-Yes band members and vocalist Max Bacon. In came drummer Nigel Durham. SAXON recorded 'Destiny', their last album on EMI. EMI just did't want us to record a new album', Biff said. Following the tour and with the recent demise of GTR came the anticipated return of drummer Nigel Glockler to the SAXON fold. Paul Johnson left and was replaced by Tim 'Nibbs' Carter, first gigging in Budapest. He is quickly accepted by SAXON's fans and becomes a permanent member touring during the latter part of 1988, proving to be a dominant, competent songwriter and general SAXON stage maniac. By the way, on that moment he's only 22!

1989, SAXON recorded a new live album 'Rock And Roll Gypsies'. Biff and the boys consequently toured with Manowar as a double headliner in Germany. 'Power And The Glory', the video anthology, is released on PMI. Following the German tour SAXON retire to the studio to write for the next album. However, between writing, SAXON break to play a series of charity shows in the UK.

1990, SAXON together for 10 years and they schedule a UK/European tour under the banner of '10 Years Of Denim And Leather'. They recorded another live album and a video with the same title. For the rest of the year they worked on their new studio album, titled Solid Ball Of Rock'. Solid Ball Of Rock' is released on February 4th 1991, followed by the single Requiem- We Will Remember' (18th March). SAXON were picked up and signed by Virgin. SAXON played all over Europe and even in America, Japan, Australia, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil and New Zealand!

In 1992 SAXON recorded another successful album, 'Forever Free', at Hey You Studios, Vienna, Austria and Gems Studios, Boston, Lincolnshire, UK. The album was produced by Biff Byford and Herwig Ursin. A single, Iron Wheels, is released from this CD.

In 1994 SAXON had been working on material for their next studio album. The album, 'Dogs Of War', is released in early 1995. Immediately after the recording long-time guitarist Graham Oliver left the band. In came guitarist Doug Scarrat to fill Oliver's shoes. He's a friend of Nigel Glockler, they played together in a band before. Graham Oliver reformed 'Son Of A Bitch' with founder members Steve Dawson and Pete Gill. 'Son Of A Bitch' recorded their 'Victim You' album between July/September 1996 at Revolution Studios, Manchester, England. SAXON recorded a new video-clip Dogs Of War'. The video-clip Dogs Of War' appeared on MTV's Headbangers' Ball. There also was on MTV a SAXON competition. When you knew the answer, you could win a hand painted SAXON guitar. It was reached out by Biff, also on MTV's Headbangers' Ball. Finally, after another full year of touring SAXON recorded a few Christmas shows in Germany.

1996, the release of SAXON's latest live album: 'The Eagle Has Landed Pt II'. Biff and the boys toured consequently, the whole year through. They also record the song 'You've Got Another Thing Comin', for the Judas Priest Tribute CD.

1997, EMI re-released 'Wheels Of Steel' and 'Strong Arm Of The Law' as a double CD. It contains 11 bonustracks.
Saxon has just released a brand new studio album in May. The title is 'Unleash The Beast'. It is produced by Kalle Trapp and Saxon. The album is just as cool as 'Dogs Of War' and 'Wheels Of Steel'. It includes a semi-acoustic ballad, dedicated to John 'J.J' Jones the crew boss who died last year. Saxon began their 'Unleash The Beast' tour in May, they played in Germany, Holland, Belgium, Sweden and lots of other countries. At the moment 'Unleash The Beast' is in the album top 100 of Sweden, Germany and Switserland.
In November they played 2 gigs in Brazil (Sao Paulo and Santos). They ended the year with a Christmas show in Belgium.

1998, Saxon begins the year with 2 gigs in England in February. In March and April, they are going to play in the U.S.A. again.
The US tour went very well, they played 26 gigs!. Immediately after the US tour, they played 3 gigs in Spain.
After the spanisg gigs, they played on the Brazilian monsters of rock, all over Europe and some gigs in the USA late November. They opened for Deep Purple in Rotterdam, Holland. The Unleash the Beast tour ended November 21st in Hardenberg, Holland.


Nigel stopped playing drums for Saxon, but still writes new songs with the band for the new album. Saxon is now using a German drummer, Fritz, who already played with the band on the last tour in Europe. Saxon will play the Arena Open Air festival in Holland, with Motorhead and Dio.
At the moment, Saxon are recording and writing for the new album that should be released September 1999.