The pioneers of British heavy metal have been setting the tone for their genre since 1977. In the 1980s, their albums regularly topped the British music charts and their singles dominated the charts across Europe, Japan, and the US. They are still touring today and have sold over 13 million albums.
They started out under the name Son of a Bitch, but in 1979 they changed their name to Saxon and signed a contract with the French label Carrere. This was the beginning of a spectacular era, as it was then that gems such as the album Wheels of Steel (1980) with the immortal classic “747 (Strangers in the Night)” were created.
An important event in the band’s history was the preparation for the Denim and Leather tour in 1981. Just before the tour began, drummer Pete Gill had to leave the band due to a hand injury. He was replaced by Nigel Glockler, who had to learn the entire concert set in a record time of a day and a half – he is still a member of the band today.
Saxon consists of Peter “Biff” Byford (vocals), Brian Tatler and Doug Scarratt (guitars), Nibbs Carter (bass), and Nigel Glockler (drums).