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The year 1980 was, in many respects, the best of Saxon’s career. Both Wheels Of Steel and the follow-up, Strong Arm Of The Law (released later that year), were big chart successes in Britain, the latter reaching No.11. They got to appear at the first ever Monsters Of Rock show at Donington (headlined by Rainbow, and also featuring Judas Priest) and played with Motörhead on the spectacular Heavy Metal Barn Dance bill at Stafford Bingley Hall [Source: Malcolm Dome (Metal Hammer, March 15, 2006].

Saxon Wheels Of Steel UK tour programme (157929) TOUR PROGRAMME
Wheels Of Steel Tour book
Saxon wheels of Steel tour. End of tour party

Saxon cars back in the days

1980, Jan 5: High Oakham School in Mansfield, England, UK

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

Source: Oliver Daniels with kind permission
Source: Oliver Daniels with kind permission
Date and location unknown

1980, Jan 23: BBC Maida Vale Studios, England, UK

Recordings

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: FM
Audio format: Lossless
Total running time: 18′
Audio quality: A

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: CD
Audio format:
Total running time: 18′
Audio quality: A

The Recording of the BBC Session on Jan 23 was transmitted on Feb 15. It was recorded live in studio by the famous British record producer Tony Wilson for the BBC Radio 1 shows of the early 1980s.

1.“Backs to the Wall”3:18
2.“Stallions of the Highway”2:47
3.“Motorcycle Man”3:47
4.“Still Fit to Boogie”2:45
5.“747 (Strangers in the Night)”5:01
Saxon-BBC Sessions.JPG
CD release of the 1980 BBC recordings

Venue

1980, Feb 2: Announcement

1980, Feb 2: Electric Ballroom in London, England, UK (with Angel Witch & Sledgehammer)

For Saxon, it was to be a case of almost overnight success. On February 2, 1980 they played a gig at the Electric Ballroom in London, showcasing some of their new songs to a venue where fans needed megaphones to communicate to each other – it was less than half full. But, within a few weeks, the five-piece were arguably the biggest metal band in Britain.

Source picture: Russell Tregent with kind permission

Set list;

Partly known (source: setlist.fm)

Wheels of Steel

Motorcycle Man

747 (Strangers in the Night)

Venue

Tour announcement Iron Maiden (with Saxon)

Source: Sounds 19 January
Source: Sounds 02 February 1980

Advertising of February / March tour

[partly went true of cancellation Iron Maiden due recording there first album. They rescheduled the tour and joined Rainbow and Nazareth]

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Source: Sounds 16 February

Promotion poster with Lautrec

Source: Paul Brannigan with kind permission

1980, Feb 16: Pavillion, West Runton England

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Source: Gig guide Sounds

1980, Feb 17: Coatham Bowl, Redcar England

Source: Gig guide NME

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Source: Gig Guide Record Mirror

1980, Feb 19: Nottingham Boat Race Club

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Feb 22: Mayfair Ballroom in Newcastle, England, UK (with Tygers of Pantang, Crypt & Mythra)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Feb 23: University, Leicester England

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Source: Gig guide Melody Maker

Rainbow tour

Announcement of 4 concert dates supporting Rainbow: Feb 24, Feb 27, March 1 and March 4.
Announcement of 4 concert dates supporting Rainbow: Feb 24, Feb 27, March 1 and March 4. [Saxon only played on Feb 24 and Feb 27]

1980, Feb 24: New Bingley Hall Stafford, England UK (with Rainbow)

Source: Dave Seaward with kind permission

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

Source: Dave Powell with kind permission. It was an exhibition centre. Very old, but full of character. This too burnt down, to be replaced by the ICC. It was the first purpose built exhibition hall in Britain.
Old Brummie Bingley Hall, Stafford – Demolished after being damaged by fire in 1984 (not the correct picture of the concert hall).

1980, Feb 25: Marquee, London England (with Angelwitch and Sledgehammer)

Source: Sounds

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

1980, Feb 26: Top Rank, Cardiff England

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

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Source: Gig Guide NME

[1980, Feb 26: Apollo Theatre, Ardwick, Manchester, England UK (with Rainbow]

Saxon didn’t play this concert, it was supported by Samson

Venue

1980, Feb 27: Capital Radio, London

They played (and recorded) an early version of 747 (Strangers in the Night) same day they played Dee Side gig with Rainbow near Liverpool, they took train after session at Capitol to Liverpool.

No luck yet with tracing down this recording

1980, Feb 27: Deeside Leisure Centre, Queensferry, England UK (with Rainbow)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

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Source: Gig Guide Record Mirror. Interesting, 12 inch single mid march has not been released. It appeared as a B-side of the single 747 Strangers in the Night, released in June 1980.

1980, Feb 28: Fjorde Green, Leeds England (with Angelwitch and Sledgehammer)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

1980, Feb 29: Rock Garden, Middlesborough England

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

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Source: Gig Guide Sounds

1980, Mar 1: The Porterhouse, Retford England

Cancelled, Saxon played as support act for Rainbow (early newspaper announcement – need to check if this concert still happens as Saxon didn’t open for Rainbow)

1980, Mar 1: Wembley, London England (with Rainbow)

Saxon didn’t play this concert, it was supported by The Troggs

1980, Mar 2: Top Rank, Birmingham England

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

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Source: Gig Guide Melody Maker

1980, Mar 3: The Woodville Halls, Gravesend, England (with Angelwitch and Sledgehammer)

Set List

Unknown, set list wanted

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Source: Gig Guide Record Mirror

Venue

1980, Mar 4: Centre, Brighton England (with Rainbow)

Saxon didn’t play this concert, it was supported by The Katchies

Nazareth tour

“We had a club tour booked, and suddenly the queues were going round the block. It was amazing. We also went on tour supporting Nazareth in March 1980, and almost every venue was sold out – a lot of that was down to us. Nazareth knew it, treated us well, and on the last date, gave us a bottle of champagne to say thanks. I think the combination of all the hard work we’d done in 1979, supporting Motörhead on their Bomber tour, and the TV exposure just made things happen. It was our time.”

1980, Mar 6: Queensway Hall, Dunstable England UK (Saxon didn’t play)

Saxon didn’t play this concert, is was supported by Samson. First support date for Saxon was 8 March (see Gig guide below)

Source: NME
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Venue

19080, Mar 7: Mayfair Ballroom, Newcastle England UK (Saxon didn’t play)

Saxon didn’t play this concert, is was supported by Samson. First support date for Saxon was 8 March

Venue

Source: Record Mirror Published March 8 1980

1980, Mar 8: Apollo Theatre in Glasgow, Scotland, UK (with Nazareth)

Set list

  1. Motorcycle Man
  2. Still Fit to Boogie
  3. Freeway Mad
  4. Backs to the Wall
  5. Wheels of Steel
  6. 747 (Strangers in the Night)
  7. Bap Shoo Ap
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Venue

Apollo Theatre Glasgow – Closed 1985, demolished 1987.

1980, Mar 9: Odeon, Edinburgh England UK (with Nazareth)

Set List

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Mar 10: Caird Hall in Dundee, Scotland, UK (with Nazareth)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Mar 12: Civic, Wolverhampton, England UK (with Nazareth)

Set List

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Mar 13: Odeon Theatre, Birmingham, England UK (with Nazareth)

Set List

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Mar 14: release single Wheels of Steel

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On March 14 the single Wheels Of Steel was released. It stayed 11 weeks in the charts with a peak position of number 20.

1980, Mar 14: De Monfort Hall, Leicester England UK (with Nazareth)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Mar 15: City Hall, Sheffield England UK (with Nazareth)

Set List

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

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Full article

1980, Mar 16: Hammersmith Odeon London, England UK (with Nazareth)

Set List

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Mar 17: Sheffield City Hall in Sheffield, England, UK (with Nazareth)

This concert can not be confirmed, there exist a recording with probably the wrong date (of 15th March), need to check

Set list

  1. Motorcycle Man
  2. Still Fit to Boogie
  3. Freeway Mad
  4. Backs to the Wall
  5. Wheels of Steel
  6. 747 (Strangers in the Night)
  7. Bap Shoo Ap

Recordings

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format: Lossless
Total running time: 30′
Audio quality: D

Venue

1980, Mar 29: Article

1980, Mar 29: Review album Wheels of Steel

1980, Apr 1: High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, England, UK

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Apr 2: Rainbow Theatre in London, England, UK

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

Rainbow Theatre, Finsbury Park, London – Closed 1981. Used as a Pentecostal Church since 1999

Recordings

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format:
Total running time: 41′
Audio quality: D

1980, Apr 4: Official UK release “Wheels of Steel” album

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The second studio album was released on 12 April 1980. It stayed in the charts for 29 weeks with a peak position on number 5.
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1980, April 5: Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone, England, UK

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Apr 10: Top Of The Pops

1980, Apr 12: Wheels of Steel review

1980, Apr 19: Saxon article

Wheels of Steel Tour Itinerary

Gig guide

Tour advertisement

1980, Apr 21: Newcastle City Hall in Newcastle, England, UK (with Lautrec)

Set list

  1. Motorcycle Man
  2. Still Fit to Boogie
  3. Freeway Mad
  4. Backs to the Wall
  5. 747 (Strangers in the Night)
  6. Rainbow Theme
  7. Frozen Rainbow
  8. Wheels of Steel
  9. See the Light Shining
  10. Judgement Day
  11. Bap Shoo Ap
  12. Street Fighting Gang
  13. Stallions of the Highway
  14. Suzie Hold On
  15. Stand Up and Be Counted
  16. Machine Gun

Article concert review

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Recordings

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: FM
Audio format:
Total running time: 69′
Audio quality: 4+

Venue

Recordings

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format:
Total running time: 71′
Audio quality: C

1980, Apr 22: Grimsby Central Hall in Grimsby, England, UK (with Lautrec)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Apr 24: Victoria Hall in Hanley, England, UK (with Lautrec)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Apr 25: Metropol in Abertillery, Wales, UK (with Lautrec)

This gig in Abertillery was cancelled as they couldn’t get the lorries through the narrow streets. They came in the June to play the gig. [Information needed on the rescheduled date]

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Apr 26: The Porterhouse in Retford, England, UK (with Lautrec)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Beat Instrumental Magazine June 1980 Saxon Steel Pulse Styx ...

Venue

1980, Apr 27: Civic Hall in Wolverhampton, England, UK (with Lautrec)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Apr 28: Sheffield City Hall in Sheffield, England, UK (with Lautrec and Geddes Axe)

Set list

  1. Motorcycle Man
  2. Still Fit to Boogie
  3. Freeway Mad
  4. Backs to the Wall
  5. Frozen Rainbow

Recordings

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: FM
Audio format:
Total running time: 28′
Audio quality: A

Venue

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1980, Apr 29: Maidstone Mid Kent College, Kent, England in Kent, England, UK (with Lautrec)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Tygers of Pan Tang Tour Part II

Cornwall Coliseum - UK - Gallery

1980, May 1: Chequers in Barnstaple, England, UK (with Lautrec)

Set list

  1. Motorcycle Man
  2. Still Fit to Boogie
  3. Freeway Mad
  4. Backs to the Wall
  5. 747 (Strangers in the Night)
  6. Frozen Rainbow
  7. Wheels of Steel
  8. See the Light Shining
  9. Bap Shoo Ap
  10. Street Fighting Gang
  11. Stallions of the Highway
  12. Stand Up and Be Counted
  13. Machine Gun

Recordings

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format:
Total running time: 63′
Audio quality: C

1980, May 2: St Albans City Hall in St Albans, England, UK (with Lautrec)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

St Alban City Hall – Renamed St Alban Arena in 1991

1980, May 4: Lyceum Theatre in London, England, UK (with Tygers Of Pantang and Sledge hammer)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980 May 5: St. George Hall, Bradford, England UK (with Lautrec)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Recordings

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format:
Total running time: 65′
Audio quality: C

Venue

1980, May 7: High Wycombe Town Hall in High Wycombe, England, UK (with Lautrec)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

1980, May 8: Pier in Colwyn Bay, Wales, UK (with Lautrec)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

1980, May 9: Rock Garden, Middlesborough (2 Shows) (with Lautrec)

Venue

to add

1980, May 10: Birmingham Odeon in Birmingham, England, UK (with Lautrec and Quartz)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, May 11: Stroud Leisure Centre in Stroud, England, UK (with Lautrec)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

Promotion poster Tour

Source: Sounds, the dates mentioned are not fully correct. Dates have changed, shows have been cancelled and other dates have been added
Source: NME, the dates mentioned are not fully correct. Dates have changed, shows have been cancelled and other dates have been added

1980, May 21: New Theatre, Oxford (Cancelled !!! & Rescheduled)

1980, May 22: Central Hall, Chatham (Cancelled !!! & Rescheduled)

1980,May 23: Colston Hall, Bristol, England UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang and Quartz)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, May 24: , Sports Centre, Bracknell England (Cancelled !!!)

1980, May 24: Pier Pavillion, Hastings England UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, May 24: News article in Sounds

1980, May 25: Gaumont, Southampton, England UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

1980, May 26; Fiesta, Plymouth (with Tygers of Pan Tang) Cancelled !!!

1980 May 26: New Cornish Riverera, St Austall, England UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

Cornish Riviera (also known as Cornwall Coliseum) – Closed 2003 demolished 2015

1980, May 27: , Johnson Hall, Yeovil (with Tygers of Pan Tang) Cancelled !!!

1980, May 27: Torquay Town Hall in Torquay, England, UK (with Tygers Of Pantang)

Set list

  1. Motorcycle Man
  2. Stallions of the Highway
  3. 747 (Strangers in the Night)
  4. Wheels of Steel
  5. Suzie Hold On
  6. Backs to the Wall
  7. Big Teaser
  8. Heavy Metal Thunder
  9. Stand Up and Be Counted

Venue

1980,May 28: Top Rank Suite, Cardiff, Wales UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Venue

Cardiff Top Rank Suite – Closed 1982 demolished 2005

1980,May 29: De Montfort Hall, Leicester, England UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

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1980,May 30: King Georges Hall, Blackburn, England UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

1980, May 31: Apollo Theater Manchester, England UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Recordings

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format:
Total running time: 85′
Audio quality: B

Venue

1980, Release of Single 747 (Strangers in the Night

Promotion poster single 747 with June tour dates with Tygers of Pantang

1980, Jun 1: Odeon Theatre Edinburgh England UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Jun 2: Apollo Theatre Glasgow, England UK

This show was rescheduled to 3 June 1980 (the 2th June show was cancelled)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Recordings – probably recordings belongs to other concert

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format:
Total running time: 62′
Audio quality: D

1980, Jun 2: Capitol Theatre, Aberdeen (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

1980, Jun 3: Apollo, Glasgow, Scotland UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

Apollo Theatre Glasgow – Closed 1985, demolished 1987.

1980, Jun 4: Unity Hall Wakefield, England UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

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Set list

  1. Motorcycle Man
  2. Still Fit to Boogie
  3. Freeway Mad
  4. Backs to the Wall
  5. 747 (Strangers in the Night)
  6. Frozen Rainbow (Rainbow Theme)
  7. Wheels of Steel
  8. See the Light Shining
  9. Bap-Shoo-Ap (cut)

Recordings

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format: Lossless
Total running time: 48′
Audio quality: D

Venue

1980, Jun 5: Royal Court, Liverpool (with Tygers of Pan Tang) Cancelled !!! & Rescheduled

1980, Jun 5: Assembley Rooms, Derby, England UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

Derby Assembly Rooms – Closed after a fire in 2014.

1980, Jun 6: New Theatre in Coventry, England, UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

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Coventry Theatre – Closed 1985. Became a bingo hall, demolished 2002

1980, Jun 7: Queensway Hall, Dunstable, England UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Jun 8: Gaumont Theatre in Ipswich, England, UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

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Ipswich Gaumont – Now called The Regent.

1980, Jun 9: Wirrina Stadium in Peterborough, England, UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

Wiring Stadium, Peterborough – Demolished 2010

1980, Jun 10: Rotters in Doncaster, England, UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Jun 11: Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool, England, UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Jun 12: New Theatre, Oxford, England UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Jun 13: Central Hall, Chatham (with Tygers of Pan Tang) Cancelled

1980, Jun 13: Kimberley Leisure Centre in Nottingham, England, UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Jun 14: Rainbow Theatre, England UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

Rainbow Theatre, Finsbury Park, London – Closed 1981. Used as a Pentecostal Church since 1999

1980, Jun: The Stonehouse Hotel, Hatfield (Powerhouse Heavy Metal Roadshow) No concert

1980, Jun 21: UK release of the single “747 Strangers In The Night”

This single was released on 21 June. It stayed 9 weeks in the charts with a peak position of number 13.

1980, Jun 22: The Loch Lomond Rock Festival, Cameron Wildlife Park, Balloch, Dumbartonshire. Scotland.

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Source: Sounds
1980, June 22, Loch Festival
Biff signing autographs

1980, Jul 26: New Bingy Hall, Stafford, England UK

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Source: NME
Source: Sounds

Venue

Source: Dave Powell with kind permission
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1980, Aug 1: Fort Regent, Gloucester Hall, St. Helier, Jersey

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

1980, Aug 2: Fort Regent, Gloucester Hall, St. Helier, Jersey

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

1980, Aug 6: Monster Of Rock Festival

Set list

  1. “Motorcycle Man” – 3:42
  2. “Still Fit to Boogie” – 2:43
  3. “Freeway Mad” – 2:24
  4. “Backs to the Wall” – 3:24
  5. “Wheels of Steel” – 4:23
  6. “Bap Shoo Ap” – 6:16
  7. “747 (Strangers in the Night)” – 4:52
  8. “Stallions of the Highway” – 3:19
  9. “Machine Gun” – 5:35
  10. Backstage Interview – 3:01

Recordings

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format: Lossless
Total running time: 44′
Audio quality: D

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: SB
Audio format: Lossless
Total running time: 45′
Audio quality: C

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: CD
Audio format: Lossless
Total running time: 48′
Audio quality: A

Official Recording

Saxon live donnington.jpg
Soaking up the sun backstage at Donington in 1980: (l-r) Graham Oliver, Paul Quinn, Pete Gill, Biff Byford, Steve Dawson

1980, Aug 23: Nuremberg Festival

1980, Aug 24: Summer concert, Loreley Amphi Theatre, St. Goursehause (Germany)

Set list

  1. Motorcycle Man
  2. Still Fit to Boogie
  3. Freeway Mad
  4. Backs to the Wall
  5. Wheels of Steel
  6. Frozen Rainbow (Rainbow Theme)
  7. 747 (Strangers in the Night)
  8. Bap-Shoo-Ap
  9. Stallions of the Highway

Recordings

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format: Lossless
Total running time: 45′
Audio quality: D

Single announcement

Sounds article Wheels of Steel and new tourdates

German article

US Rush Tour

1980 Sep 11: Hampton Coliseum, Hampton Virginia, US

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

1980 Sep 12: Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte North Carolina NC US

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

1980 Sep 13: Charleston, Civic Center Coliseum, Charleston North Carolina US

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

1980 Sep 14: Municipal Auditorium, Nashville Tennessee US

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Sep 16: Riverside Centroplex,Baton Rouge Louisiana US

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Sep18: Lee County Arena, Fort Myers, Florida US

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Sep 19: Hollywood Sportatorium, Pembroke Pines, Florida USA (with Rush)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Sep 20: Article in Record Mirror

1980, Sep 20: Lakeland Civic Center, Lakeland, Florida USA (with Rush)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Sep 21: Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Jacksonville, Florida US

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980 Sep 23: Cincinnati OH US

Venue

1980, Sep 25: Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA (with Rush)

Set list

  1. Motorcycle Man
  2. Still Fit to Boogie
  3. Freeway Mad
  4. Wheels of Steel
  5. Frozen Rainbow (Rainbow Theme)
  6. 747 (Strangers in the Night)
  7. Bap-Shoo-Ap
  8. Stallions of the Highway
  9. Machine Gun

Recordings

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format: Lossless
Total running time: 45′
Audio quality: D

Venue

1980, Sep 26: Capital Centre, Largo, Maryland USA (with Rush)

Set list

  1. Motorcycle Man
  2. Still Fit to Boogie
  3. Freeway Mad
  4. Wheels of Steel
  5. Frozen Rainbow (Rainbow Theme)
  6. 747 (Strangers in the Night)
  7. Bap-Shoo-Ap
  8. Stallions of the Highway
  9. Machine Gun

Recordings

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format: Lossless
Total running time: 45′
Audio quality: C

Venue

This venue was demolished in 2002 and a shopping center was put there (source Chuck Ryan)

1980, Sep 27: Announcement Monster of Rock album

1980, Sep 27: Cape Cod Coliseum, South Yarmouth, Massachusetts USA (with Rush)

Rescheduled from May 17th.

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Sep 28: Springfield Civic Center, Springfield, Massachusetts USA (with Rush)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Sep 30: Allentown Fairgrounds, Allentown, Pennsylvania USA (with Rush)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

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1980, Oct 1: Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland Maine USA (with Rush)

Rescheduled from May 16th.

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Oct 3: Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, PA USA (with Blue Oster Cult, and Black Sabbath)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Oct 4: Toledo Sports Arena in Toledo, Ohio USA (With Black Sabbath)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Oct 5: Chicago, Illinois. (Not confirmed)

1980, Oct 6: Indianapolis, Ilinois.  (Not confirmed)

1980, Oct 7: Wings Stadium, Kalamazoo, MI, USA (with Blue Oster Cult)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Oct 9: Orpheum Theatre in Boston, MA, USA (with ACDC)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

1980, Oct 11: Orpheum Theatre in Boston, MA, USA (with ACDC)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Oct 19: Erie County Field House,Erie, PA USA (with Black Sabbath)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

1980, Oct 25: Single announcement

Tour update announcement

Rehearsals Strong Arm Of The Law Tour (29 and 30 October)

1980, Nov 1: News article Sounds

Announcement Tour dates

1980, Nov 15: UK release of “Strong Arm Of The Law” album

The album Strong Arm Of The Law was released on 15 November. It stayed 13 weeks in the charts with a peak position at number 11.

Strong Arm of The Law review (Record Mirror)

Promotion poster

1980, Nov 20: Cornwall Coliseum in St. Austell, England, UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Nov 21: Taunton Odeon in Taunton, England, UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

Taunton Odeon – now the Mecca Bingo Hall. The building started out life as the Gaumont Palace Theatre in 1932. It was renamed Odeon in 1969, and was closed by the Rank Organisation on 5th September 1981, before becoming a Top Rank Bingo Club and the Mecca Bingo Club which stands there today.

1980, Nov 22: Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon, England, UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Nov 22: Tour update

1980, Nov 23: Odeon Chelmsford in Chelmsford, England, UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

Chelmsford Odeon – Closed 1981. Demolished in 1990 and replaced with a new Odeon and Multi-story Car park.

1980, Nov 24: Hemel Hempstead Pavilion in Hemel Hempstead, England, UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Nov 25: Civic Hall in Wolverhampton, England, UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Nov 26: Sophia Gardens Pavilion in Cardiff, Wales, UK (with ?Riot? Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

Cardiff Sophia Gardens Pavillion – Closed January 1982 after the roof collapsed due to excess snow. Demolished 1982.

1980, Nov 27: City Hall Sheffield England UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Nov 28: Sheffield City Hall, England UK (with Limelight)

Set list

  1. Intro
  2. Heavy Metal Thunder
  3. See the Light Shining
  4. Backs to the Wall
  5. Hungry Years
  6. Rainbow Theme / Frozen Rainbow
  7. Strong Arm of the Law
  8. 20,000 Ft
  9. 747 (Strangers in the Night)
  10. Freeway Mad
  11. Dallas 1 pm
  12. Stand Up and Be Counted
  13. Stallions of the Highway
  14. Wheels of Steel
  15. Motorcycle Man
  16. Machine Gun

Recording

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format: Lossless
Total running time: 77′
Audio quality: E

First known video recording of a Saxon (Winter tour show), promoting the Strong Arm Of The Law album, which was just released

Source: David Griffiths with kind permission
Source: David Griffiths with kind permission
Source: David Griffiths with kind permission
Source: David Griffiths with kind permission
Source: David Griffiths with kind permission
Source: David Griffiths with kind permission

Venue

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1980, Nov 29: UK release of the “Strong Arm Of The Law” album

The single Strong Arm Of The Law was release on 29 November. It stayed 3 weeks in the charts with a peak position at number 63.

1980, Nov 29: St. George Hall, Bradford England UK (Cancelled !!! rescheduled January 1981)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Nov 30: King George Hall, Blackburn England UK (Cancelled !!! rescheduled January 1981)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Dec 1: Apollo Theatre Manchester England UK (with Limelight)

Set list

See recordings

Recordings

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format: Lossless
Total running time: 63′
Audio quality: B

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format: Lossless
Total running time: 32′
Audio quality: D

Bootleg 2LP

A 1.   Heavy Metal Thunder                          

A 2.   Dallas 1p.M                                        

A 3.   See The Light Shining                         

A 4.   Backs To The Wall                              

A 5.   Hungry Years                                     

B 6.   The Rainbow Theme / Frozen Rainbow

B 7.   Strong Arm Of The Law                      

B 8.   20.000 Ft                                           

B 9.   747 (Stranger In The Night)               

B 10. Street Fighting Gang                          

B 11. Sixth Form Girls                                 

B 12. Stand Up And Be Counted             

Bootleg 1LP

A1 Heavy Metal Thunder  

A2 See The Light Shining  

A3 Backs To The Wall      

A4 Hungry Years           

B1 Rainbow Theme        

B2 Frozen Rainbow        

B3 Strong Arm Of The Law

B4 20,000 Ft

Venue

1980, Dec 2: Empire Liverpool England UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Dec 3: Colston Hall, Bristol England UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

Bristol Colston Hall – Now called Bristol Beacon.

1980, Dec 4: De Monfort Hall, Leicester England UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980 Dec 5: New Theatre, Coventry England UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

Coventry Theatre – Closed 1985. Became a bingo hall, demolished 2002

1980, Dec 6: New Theatre Oxford, England UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980 Dec 7: Gaumont Theatre, Ipwich England UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

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Ipswich Gaumont – Now called The Regent.

1980, Dec 8: Gaumont Theatre Southhampton, England UK (with Limelight)

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Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

Southampton Gaumont – Now called The Mayflower.

1980 Dec 9 Derby Assembly Hall, England UK (with Limelight)

Set list

See recording

Recordings

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: FM
Audio format:
Total running time: 48′
Audio quality: A

Bootleg: Saxon / Militia Guard – Live 1980/81+2008 ORG 2CD+DVD (First CD contains the 9 Dec Derby concert.

Venue

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Derby Assembly Rooms – Closed after a fire in 2014.

1980 Dec 10: Victoria Hall, Hanley England UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

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1980, Dec 11: Town Hall, Middlesbrough, England UK (with Limelight)

Set list

  1. Intro
  2. Heavy Metal Thunder
  3. See the Light Shining
  4. Backs to the Wall
  5. Hungry Years
  6. Frozen Rainbow (Rainbow Theme)
  7. Strong Arm of the Law
  8. 20,000 Ft
  9. 747 (Strangers in the Night)
  10. Freeway Mad
  11. Dallas 1 pm
  12. Stand Up and Be Counted
  13. Stallions of the Highway
  14. Wheels of Steel
  15. Motorcycle Man
  16. Machine Gun
  17. Outro

Recordings

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format: Lossless
Total running time: 75′
Audio quality: D

Venue

1980 Dec 12: Market Hall, Carlisle England UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980 Dec 13: Odeon, Edinburgh Scotland UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

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1980, Dec 14: Apollo Theatre Glasgow Scotland UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

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Apollo Theatre Glasgow – Closed 1985, demolished 1987.

1980, Dec 15: Caird Hall Dundee, Scotland UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

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1980, Dec 16: City Hall Newcastle England UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

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1980, Dec 17: Birmingham Odeon in Birmingham, England, UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

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1980, Dec 18: Leisure Centre, Gloucester England. With Limelight. (Cancelled)

1980, Dec 18: Malvern Winter Gardens in Great Malvern, England, UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Dec 19: Hammersmith Odeon in London, England, UK (with Limelight)

Hammersmith Dec stage set-up

Set list

  1. Heavy Metal Thunder
  2. See the Light Shining
  3. Backs to the Wall
  4. Hungry Years
  5. Hungry Years (cut) / Frozen Rainbow (cut)
  6. Strong Arm of the Law
  7. 20,000 feet
  8. 747 Strangers in the Night
  9. Freeway Mad
  10. Dallas 1pm
  11. Stand Up and Be Counted
  12. Stallions of the Highway
  13. Wheels of Steel
  14. Motorcycle Man
  15. Machine Gun

Recordings

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format: Lossless
Total running time: 80′
Audio quality: C

Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format: Lossless
Total running time: 75′
Audio quality: A

Vinyl bootleg 2LP
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CD Bootleg
2CD Bootleg, CD1 contains 19 Dec show

Venue

1980, Dec 20: Hammersmith Odeon in London, England, UK (with Limelight)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

Venue

1980, Dec 21: Kimberly Leisure Gardens, Nottingham England (with Taurus)

Set list

Unknown, set list wanted

1980, Dec 22: At Wirrina Stadium, Peterborough, England UK (with Taurus)

Set list

Venue

1980, Dec 23: Hull City Hall in Kingston upon Hull, England, UK (with Taurus)

Set list

Venue

All known recordings

DateLocationRecordingTimeQualityBootlegOfficial release
23-1-1980London, Maida Vale Studio 4, EnglandFM18ACDNo
23-1-1980London, Maida Vale Studio 4, EnglandCD18ACDYes
17-3-1980Sheffield, City Hall, EnglandAUD30DCDNo
2-4-1980London, Rainbow Theatre, EnglandAUD41DCDNo
21-4-1980Newcastle, City Hall, EnglandAUD71CCDNo
28-4-1980Sheffield, City Hall, EnglandFM18ACDNo
1-5-1980Barnstable, Chequeers, EnglandAUD63CCDNo
5-5-1980Bradford, St. Georges Hall, EnglandAUD65CCDNo
31-5-1980Manchester, Apollo, EnglandAUD85BCDNo
2-6-1980Aberdeen, Capitol Theatre, ScotlandAUD62DCDNo
4-6-1980Wakefield, Unity Hall, EnglandAUD48DCDNo
16-8-1980Castle Donington, Park, EnglandAUD44DCDNo
16-8-1980Castle Donington, Park, EnglandSB45CCDNo
16-8-1980Castle Donington, Park, EnglandCD43ACDYes
24-8-1980St. Goarshausen, Loreley Amphi-Theater, GermanyAUD45DCDNo
25-9-1980Philadelphia PA, Spectrum, USAAUD45DCDNo
26-9-1980Largo MD, Capital Center, USAAUD45CCDNo
28-11-1980Sheffield, City Hall*, EnglandAUD77ECDNo
1-12-1980Manchester, Apollo, EnglandAUD63BCDNo
1-12-1980Manchester, Apollo, EnglandAUD32DCDNo
9-12-1980Derby, Assembly Rooms, EnglandFM48ACDNo
11-12-1980Middlesbrough, Town Hall, EnglandAUD75DCDNo
19-12-1980London, Hammersmith Odeon, EnglandAUD80CCDNo
19-12-1980London, Hammersmith Odeon, EnglandAUD75ACDNo

By: admin

7 Replies to “1980 Concerts”

  1. Hi,

    Was the Saxon gig on 2nd April 1980 supported by Lionheart? It doesn’t say on your list but I think it was, because that was my first ever gig!

    Great work!

    Mark.

    Reply

  2. Hi,

    My first gig was also Saxon, on the ‘Strong Arm of the Law’ tour, at the Halifax Civic Theatre. The support act was Tora, Tora, Tora ! It was before 28.03.81. because that was my secong gig, Motorhead at Queen’s Hall, Leeds on the ‘Ace of Spades’ tour.

    I can’t find a mention of it anywhere, and am starting to question my own sanity ? But, you’re first gig…you remember nearly every detail !

    You’re confirmation of said event would be greatly appreciated.

    Cheers,

    Tom.

    Reply

  3. The cancelled Bracknell show was rescheduled for December 1980, at least I have made a note of attending then, although the exact date has been lost!

    Reply

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