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In 2002, Saxon released Heavy Metal Thunder, a compilation album featuring re-recorded versions of songs from the band's biggest selling albums. Following another Worldwide tour the band parted ways with bassist Steve Dawson. During 1994, the band parted ways with Graham Oliver, with Doug Scarratt joining the band. It resulted in two hit songs: the title track and the crowd favourite "747 (Strangers in the Night)".
With Saxon still performing and releasing new music, Byford remains a formidable force in the genre. Soon after, Peter Gill replaced Ward as the drummer and the band changed its name to Saxon.
Saxon signed a contract with the French label Carere Records, specializing in disco music, and released their self-titled debut album in 1979.
This album propelled them to become one of the leaders of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. This led to a legal dispute between them and Biff Byford and Paul Quinn.
Throughout the 1990s, Biff Byford and Saxon continued to release albums and tour, with a focus on Germany. This campaign was inspired by the results of the 2001 census, where a quarter of the population listed "Jediism" as their religion.
Biff Byford's career as the frontman of Saxon has made him a prominent figure in the world of heavy metal, with his powerful vocals and stage presence.
As a result, Saxon began a series of long UK tours. In April of that year, 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, charting at #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.
In 1981, the band released their fourth album ‘Denim and Leather’, its title track is regarded as a metal anthem. The band tour regularly and have sold more than 13 million albums worldwide.
The band was formed in Barnsley in 1977 by Peter “Biff” Byford on vocals, Paul Quinn and Graham Oliver on guitars, Steve "Dobby" Dawson on bass, Pete Gill on drums and were originally named "Son of a Bitch".
In the summer of 1986, Saxon headlined the Reading Festival and toured the United States.
1988 saw the release of ‘Destiny’ with Tim “Nibbs” Carter joining the band on bass. 2004 saw the release of ‘Lionheart’ their 16th studio album, with Jörg Michael performing drums. In 1979, the band changed their name to Saxon and signed to French record label Carrere who then released their eponymous debut album.
‘Wheels of Steel’, released in 1980, charted at #5 in the UK and stayed in those charts for six months.
The band played the Wheels of Steel album in its entirety to mark the 30th anniversary of its release.
Saxon released their nineteenth studio album ‘Call to Arms’ on 3 June 2011 and twentieth studio album ‘Sacrifice’ in February 2013.
Their latest studio album, ‘Thunderbolt’, was released on 2 February 2018.
2019 saw the bands 40th anniversary and the release of the fourth “The Eagle Has Landed” live album – aptly titled “The Eagle Has Landed 40” and included headline festival dates with the huge “Castles & Eagles” stage Set.
2020 sees the band working on a new studio album and also a special covers albums entitled “Influences” which is just that – songs that influenced the band in their earlier days.
March 19th 2021 sees the release of "Inspirations" a collection of cover songs that influenced Saxon.
Biff Byford
| Frontman of the British heavy metal band Saxon. Date of Birth: 15.01.1951 Country: Great Britain |
Biography of Biff Byford - The Frontman of British Heavy Metal Band Saxon
Biff Byford is best known as the frontman of the British heavy metal band, Saxon.
In 1976, Biff co-founded Saxon, and quickly, their unique blend of heavy metal with punk influences struck a chord with fans, catapulting them into the spotlight.
Saxon’s Rise to Fame
The band’s self-titled debut album was released in 1979, followed by a string of successful records, including ‘Wheels of Steel’ and ‘Strong Arm of the Law.’ As the voice of Saxon, Byford is renowned for his powerful vocals and commanding stage presence, earning him accolades as one of the genre’s greats.
With a career spanning over four decades, Byford has not only been influential in shaping the metal genre but also continues to inspire generations of musicians and fans around the world. In 2009 the band ‘ Into the Labyrinth’ and also headlined the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany. They had numerous singles in the UK Singles Chart and chart success all over Europe and Japan, as well as success in the United States.
Glockler is still with the band today.
In 1982 Saxon released the live album The Eagle Has Landed , charting at #5 in the UK. Saxon also played the Monsters Of Rock festival again in 1982, becoming the first band to appear there twice.
1983's Power & the Glory became the band’s best selling album Worldwide to date with the album’s cover artwork by Hollywood film director Ridley Scott.
In 1984 the band released their sixth studio album ‘Crusader’ with a successful worldwide tour that followed, named "The World Crusade”.
The band then signed with EMI Records and in 1985 ‘Innocence Is No Excuse’ was released.
Gigwise.com reported on 18 January 2010 that Byford was launching a campaign to have Britons declare heavy metal as their religion in the United Kingdom Census 2011, inspired by the Jedi census phenomenon (where 2001 Census results suggested that Jediism was the UK's fourth most popular religion).
Discography
Madman?'
Now in their fourth decade of making music, continuing the tradition that they helped create, Saxon are still a tour de force in heavy metal music.
For the recording of the band’s eight studio album ‘Rock The Nations’ bass parts were played by Biff Byford, with Elton John making guest appearances as pianist on 2 tracks.