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 cars back in the days
1980, Jan 5: High Oakham School in Mansfield, England, UK
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
Venue
1980, Jan: Saxon spent two weeks at the Welsch Mountain recording studio
Source article: Originally published in Metal Hammer issue 151, March 2006
The early 80s New Wave Of British Heavy Metal produced a pair of future superstars in Iron Maiden and Def Leppard. Saxon might have had the same success as those two bands, but they did just as much to put that scene on the map.
In the space of just over 18 months, these working class heroes from Barnsley, South Yorkshire released three albums that would define these new movement: 1980’s Wheels Of Steel, the same year’s Strong Arm Of The Law and 1981’s Denim And Leather. All three are NWOBHM landmarks, but it’s Wheels Of Steel that stands a whisker above the others.
“How do I view that record?” says Saxon frontman Biff Byford. “It’s obviously a classic. But, more than that, it saved our career.”
The roots of Saxon date back to the mid-70s, and a band named S.O.B., founded by guitarist Graham Oliver and bassist Steve Dawson. Over the next few years, their line-up shifted until it settled around Oliver and Dawson plus Biff (born Paul Byford), second guitarist Paul Quinn and drummer Pete Gill.
As their sound toughened up, they expanded their name from S.O.B. to the blunter Son Of A Bitch, though that name was jettisoned when they finally signed a deal with French label Carrere in 1978, who pointed out that it might get in the way of airplay. Grudgingly, Son Of A Bitch became Saxon. That was the name under which they released their self-titled debut album in the summer of 1979. Saxon was arguably the first NWOBHM album, although it didn’t set the world on fire.
“What you have to remember is that the first album had only sold about 12,000 copies, mainly to hardcore Son Of A Bitch fans,” says Biff. “And to be honest, it wasn’t very good. Carrere made it plain to us that unless we did a lot better on the next record, we’d be dropped. They weren’t looking to sell huge amounts of copies, just for a big improvement. So we were under pressure from the start.”
The band got the message. They decamped from Barnsley to deepest Wales to knuckle down and start work on the follow-up.
“It was a really wacky time,” laughs the singer. “Our management packed us off to a hut in the Welsh mountains, with about £15 between us. It was a weird area, because we were surrounded by loads of vegans living in tepees! We used to wind them up by ordering loads of meat to be delivered. We’d be in the hut with all these people just staring at us through the window, completely bemused.”
When they weren’t provoking the locals, Saxon managed to get a decent amount of work done. The first two songs they wrote in Wales would set the tone for the whole album.
“We got Wheels Of Steel and 747 (Strangers In The Night) done quite quickly,” says Biff. “And then everything just seemed to flow. By the end we knew that we were in a state of grace. The songs we had were not only the best we could have done, but perfect for the time. I think every successful band has that moment when they just get in the zone, and for us it arrived in Wales.”
By the time they left the vegans to their lentils, Saxon had enough songs for their make-or-break album. They were booked into London’s Rampart Studios – owned by The Who – with producer Peter Hinton, who had signed them to Carrere, and engineer Will Reid-Dick, who the band took the piss out of mercilessly on account of his name.
“We knew what we wanted, and that was the energy we had onstage,” says Biff of the album they were making. “Working with Peter turned out to be a brilliant decision. He got us exactly what we wanted. The album wasn’t full of effects, but was raw, live and right in your face. It had a real punk edge, and that made this stand out from so much else at the time.”
With the pressure on to deliver a killer album, the band didn’t mess around. Even the odd technical SNAFUs couldn’t stop them.
“We had a power cut in the studio one day while we were recording 747 (Strangers In The Night),” says Biff. “There was a back-up generator, but it didn’t kick in right away. In that time, the tape on the track we were cutting slightly stretched. If you listen carefully, the drums and bass slightly slow down at one point. In those days, you literally had to cut the tape up to remove anything, which could be very messy. So we left it in.”
Their discipline in the studio didn’t prevent them from enjoying their down time in London. There was plenty of time to sample some of the less salubrious delights the capital had to offer.
“Every night, we’d leave the studio, and go to a porn club, a strip bar, or an after-hours drinking place,” says Biff. “We’d pick up these girls, and take them back to the bed-and-breakfast place where we were staying. We worked hard, and we played hard!”
By the time they finished recording the album, titled Wheels Of Steel, the band knew they were sitting on something special. Fusing the power of metal with the energy of punk, songs such as Motorcycle Man and the title track (love letters to motorbikes and the freedom of the open road), 747 (Strangers In The Night) (a love story partly inspired by a true life event where a plane tried to land in New York during a city wide blackout), the rat-a-tatting Machine Gun and the melodic Suzie Hold On were instant anthems with grease and dirt under their fingernails. The disappointment of Saxon’s debut album was quickly forgotten.
“There was a buzz about the record even before it came out,” says Biff. “Carrere were distributed by Warner Bros., who were having big success with Van Halen, so they knew how to sell metal. I was taken round the pressing plant while they were getting Wheels Of Steel ready and was amazed at how many copies they were pressing up – it seemed like millions. There was a feeling that we were gonna happen – and big.”
On February 2, 1980, Saxon showcased songs from the as-yet-unreleased new albums at a half-full gig at London’s Electric Ballroom. By the time the album was released two months later on April 3 (a couple of weeks before Iron Maiden’s self-titled debut), Saxon were arguably the biggest new metal band in Britain. Their rise was rubber-stamped by a memorable appearance on Top Of The Pops, performing Wheels Of Steel’s title track, the album’s first single.
“You can’t believe how much of a difference that made,” says Biff. “We had a club tour booked, and suddenly the queues were going round the block. 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.”
The Wheels Of Steel single peaked at No.21 in the UK, while follow-up 747 (Strangers In The Night) reaching No.13. The album itself made it to No.5 in the UK charts. But there was an unexpected side to their newfound fame.
“I had to move out of my house,” sighs the singer. “My girlfriend at the time couldn’t handle what was going on. There were fans turning up and climbing the drainpipe. And, on one occasion, about 40 people were in my garden, just chanting Wheels Of Steel. It was insane.”
The album’s success meant Biff found himself in some unusual situations.
“When you’ve been on TV, suddenly everyone wants your opinion on anything,” he says. “I’ve just found a tape of a radio debate I was on in 1981, talking about headbanging with a university professor and a policeman. It’s fucking daft. I might have to include this as a bonus track on a future release.”
In the wake of Wheels Of Steel, Saxon had the wind in their sails. Just seven months later, in November 1980, they released their third album, Strong Arm Of The Law (they appeared at the inaugural Monsters Of Rock festival at Castle Donington in between). Ten months after that they put out Denim And Leather, completing one of metal’s great trilogies.
Those three albums mark the commercial highpoint of Saxon’s career. They survived the collapse of the NWOBHM unscathed, although none of the albums they released in during the rest of the 80s or early 1990s captured the same magic. A series of line-up changes – including the departures of drummer Pete Gill in 1981, bassist Steve Dawson in 1988 and guitarist Graham Quinn in 1995 – could have derailed the band, but Biff Byford was unwilling to let the band go: he still leads it from the front to this day.
“We were big in Britain, no argument,” Biff says of the period around Wheels Of Steel. “Probably the biggest of our generation of metal bands at the time. We’d done it through hard graft and killer songs; none of that trendy image rubbish.”
Demo recordings
Note: The 2009 and 2022 reissue contain 2 demo recordings (Suzie Hold On and Wheels of Steel). These recordings are different from the demo’s above.
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 |
Venue
Interview BBC studios
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)
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]
Promotion poster with Lautrec
1980, Feb 16: Pavillion, West Runton England
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
1980, Feb 17: Coatham Bowl, Redcar England
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
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
Rainbow tour
1980, Feb 24: New Bingley Hall Stafford, England UK (with Rainbow)
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
Venue
1980, Feb 25: Marquee, London England (with Angelwitch and Sledgehammer)
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
1980, Feb 26: Top Rank, Cardiff England
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
[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
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
Smash-Hits-1980-May-1
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
1980, Mar 3: The Woodville Halls, Gravesend, England (with Angelwitch and Sledgehammer)
Set List
Unknown, set list wanted
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)
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
1980, Mar 8: Record Mirror
1980, Mar 8: Apollo Theatre in Glasgow, Scotland, UK (with Nazareth)
Set list
- Motorcycle Man
- Still Fit to Boogie
- Freeway Mad
- Backs to the Wall
- Wheels of Steel
- 747 (Strangers in the Night)
- Bap Shoo Ap
Venue
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
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
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
- Motorcycle Man
- Still Fit to Boogie
- Freeway Mad
- Backs to the Wall
- Wheels of Steel
- 747 (Strangers in the Night)
- 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
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
Record-Mirror-1980-04-19
1980; The New Breed of HM
1980, April 5: Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone, England, UK
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
Venue
1980, Apr 10: Top Of The Pops
Add video
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-8694917-1490810358-8178.jpeg.jpg)
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-8694917-1490810362-4798.jpeg.jpg)
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
- Motorcycle Man
- Still Fit to Boogie
- Freeway Mad
- Backs to the Wall
- 747 (Strangers in the Night)
- Rainbow Theme
- Frozen Rainbow
- Wheels of Steel
- See the Light Shining
- Judgement Day
- Bap Shoo Ap
- Street Fighting Gang
- Stallions of the Highway
- Suzie Hold On
- Stand Up and Be Counted
- Machine Gun
Article concert review
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: Record Mirror
1980, Apr 26: The Porterhouse in Retford, England, UK (with Lautrec)
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
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
- Motorcycle Man
- Still Fit to Boogie
- Freeway Mad
- Backs to the Wall
- Frozen Rainbow
Recordings
Media: 1 CD
Recording type: FM
Audio format:
Total running time: 28′
Audio quality: A
Venue
1980, May 10: Record Mirror Concert review
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
1980, May 1: Chequers in Barnstaple, England, UK (with Lautrec)
Set list
- Motorcycle Man
- Still Fit to Boogie
- Freeway Mad
- Backs to the Wall
- 747 (Strangers in the Night)
- Frozen Rainbow
- Wheels of Steel
- See the Light Shining
- Bap Shoo Ap
- Street Fighting Gang
- Stallions of the Highway
- Stand Up and Be Counted
- 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
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
1980, May 21: New Theatre, Oxford (Cancelled !!! & Rescheduled)
1980, May 22: Central Hall, Chatham (Cancelled !!! & Rescheduled)
/Smash-Hits-1980-May-15
1980,May 23: Colston Hall, Bristol, England UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang and Quartz)
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
Venue
Record-Mirror-1980-10-18: Quartz on Saxon
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
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
- Motorcycle Man
- Stallions of the Highway
- 747 (Strangers in the Night)
- Wheels of Steel
- Suzie Hold On
- Backs to the Wall
- Big Teaser
- Heavy Metal Thunder
- Stand Up and Be Counted
Venue
1980,May 28: Top Rank Suite, Cardiff, Wales UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)
Venue
1980,May 29: De Montfort Hall, Leicester, England UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
Venue
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
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
1980, Jun 4: Unity Hall Wakefield, England UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)
Set list
- Motorcycle Man
- Still Fit to Boogie
- Freeway Mad
- Backs to the Wall
- 747 (Strangers in the Night)
- Frozen Rainbow (Rainbow Theme)
- Wheels of Steel
- See the Light Shining
- 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
1980, Jun 6: New Theatre in Coventry, England, UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
Venue
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
1980, Jun 9: Wirrina Stadium in Peterborough, England, UK (with Tygers of Pan Tang)
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
Venue
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
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”
1980, Jun 22: The Loch Lomond Rock Festival, Cameron Wildlife Park, Balloch, Dumbartonshire. Scotland.
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
1980, late June: Starting to write and record the Strong Arm of the Law album
Note:
1980, Jul 5; In the charts, Record Mirror
1980, Jul 9; In the charts
1980, Jul 19: Record Mirror
1980, Reissue HM serie 7 inch singles
1980, Jul 26: New Bingy Hall, Stafford, England UK
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
Venue
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 16: Music Week
1980, Aug 16: Monster Of Rock Festival
Set list
- “Motorcycle Man” – 3:42
- “Still Fit to Boogie” – 2:43
- “Freeway Mad” – 2:24
- “Backs to the Wall” – 3:24
- “Wheels of Steel” – 4:23
- “Bap Shoo Ap” – 6:16
- “747 (Strangers in the Night)” – 4:52
- “Stallions of the Highway” – 3:19
- “Machine Gun” – 5:35
- 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
Record-Mirror-1980-08-23
1980, Aug 23: Nuremberg Festival
1980, Aug 24: Summer concert, Loreley Amphi Theatre, St. Goursehause (Germany)
Set list
- Motorcycle Man
- Still Fit to Boogie
- Freeway Mad
- Backs to the Wall
- Wheels of Steel
- Frozen Rainbow (Rainbow Theme)
- 747 (Strangers in the Night)
- Bap-Shoo-Ap
- Stallions of the Highway
Recordings
Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format: Lossless
Total running time: 45′
Audio quality: D
Add video
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
- Motorcycle Man
- Still Fit to Boogie
- Freeway Mad
- Wheels of Steel
- Frozen Rainbow (Rainbow Theme)
- 747 (Strangers in the Night)
- Bap-Shoo-Ap
- Stallions of the Highway
- Machine Gun
Add video
Venue
1980, Sep 26: Capital Centre, Largo, Maryland USA (with Rush)
Set list
- Motorcycle Man
- Still Fit to Boogie
- Freeway Mad
- Wheels of Steel
- Frozen Rainbow (Rainbow Theme)
- 747 (Strangers in the Night)
- Bap-Shoo-Ap
- Stallions of the Highway
- Machine Gun
Recordings
Media: 1 CD
Recording type: Audience
Audio format: Lossless
Total running time: 45′
Audio quality: C
Venue
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
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)
The show in October 5th in Palatine Il happened. I have the advert that I can send you. I have friends who were at that show in a tiny club Hamaykers.
Source info and picture: Laurent Ramadier with kind permission
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)
News article
News article
1980, Nov 1: News article Sounds
Announcement Tour dates Record Mirror 13 september
Announcement Tour dates
1980, Nov 15: UK release of “Strong Arm Of The Law” album
Strong Arm of the Law review
Strong Arm of The Law review (Record Mirror)
Promotion poster
1980, November single charts in Record Mirror 29 November
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
1980, Nov 22: Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon, England, UK (with Limelight)
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
Venue
1980, Nov 22 Record Mirror
1980, Nov 22: Tour update
1980, Nov 23: Odeon Chelmsford in Chelmsford, England, UK (with Limelight)
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
Venue
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
1980m Nov 26: Cardiff Castle
1980, Nov 26: Sophia Gardens Pavilion in Cardiff, Wales, UK (with ?Riot? Limelight)
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
Venue
1980, Nov 27: City Hall Sheffield England UK (with Limelight)
Graham Oliver: Swinn , Cosh the Heidie Kipling Rob Price Daktari Dave Poxan to name some
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
Venue
1980, Nov 28: Sheffield City Hall, England UK (with Limelight)
Set list
- Intro
- Heavy Metal Thunder
- See the Light Shining
- Backs to the Wall
- Hungry Years
- Rainbow Theme / Frozen Rainbow
- Strong Arm of the Law
- 20,000 Ft
- 747 (Strangers in the Night)
- Freeway Mad
- Dallas 1 pm
- Stand Up and Be Counted
- Stallions of the Highway
- Wheels of Steel
- Motorcycle Man
- 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
Venue
1980, Nov 29: UK release of the “Strong Arm Of The Law” album
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
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
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
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
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
1980, Dec 8: Gaumont Theatre Southhampton, England UK (with Limelight)
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
Venue
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
Add video
Venue
1980 Dec 10: Victoria Hall, Hanley England UK (with Limelight)
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
Venue
1980, Dec 11: Town Hall, Middlesbrough, England UK (with Limelight)
Set list
- Intro
- Heavy Metal Thunder
- See the Light Shining
- Backs to the Wall
- Hungry Years
- Frozen Rainbow (Rainbow Theme)
- Strong Arm of the Law
- 20,000 Ft
- 747 (Strangers in the Night)
- Freeway Mad
- Dallas 1 pm
- Stand Up and Be Counted
- Stallions of the Highway
- Wheels of Steel
- Motorcycle Man
- Machine Gun
- 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
Record Mirror, december 20
1980, Dec 14: Apollo Theatre Glasgow Scotland UK (with Limelight)
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
Venue
1980, Dec 15: Caird Hall Dundee, Scotland UK (with Limelight)
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
Venue
1980, Dec 16: City Hall Newcastle England UK (with Limelight)
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
Venue
1980, Dec 17: Birmingham Odeon in Birmingham, England, UK (with Limelight)
Set list
Unknown, set list wanted
Venue
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)
Set list
- Heavy Metal Thunder
- See the Light Shining
- Backs to the Wall
- Hungry Years
- Hungry Years (cut) / Frozen Rainbow (cut)
- Strong Arm of the Law
- 20,000 feet
- 747 Strangers in the Night
- Freeway Mad
- Dallas 1pm
- Stand Up and Be Counted
- Stallions of the Highway
- Wheels of Steel
- Motorcycle Man
- 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
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
| Date | Location | Recording | Time | Quality | Bootleg | Official release |
| 23-1-1980 | London, Maida Vale Studio 4, England | FM | 18 | A | CD | No |
| 23-1-1980 | London, Maida Vale Studio 4, England | CD | 18 | A | CD | Yes |
| 17-3-1980 | Sheffield, City Hall, England | AUD | 30 | D | CD | No |
| 2-4-1980 | London, Rainbow Theatre, England | AUD | 41 | D | CD | No |
| 21-4-1980 | Newcastle, City Hall, England | AUD | 71 | C | CD | No |
| 28-4-1980 | Sheffield, City Hall, England | FM | 18 | A | CD | No |
| 1-5-1980 | Barnstable, Chequeers, England | AUD | 63 | C | CD | No |
| 5-5-1980 | Bradford, St. Georges Hall, England | AUD | 65 | C | CD | No |
| 31-5-1980 | Manchester, Apollo, England | AUD | 85 | B | CD | No |
| 2-6-1980 | Aberdeen, Capitol Theatre, Scotland | AUD | 62 | D | CD | No |
| 4-6-1980 | Wakefield, Unity Hall, England | AUD | 48 | D | CD | No |
| 16-8-1980 | Castle Donington, Park, England | AUD | 44 | D | CD | No |
| 16-8-1980 | Castle Donington, Park, England | SB | 45 | C | CD | No |
| 16-8-1980 | Castle Donington, Park, England | CD | 43 | A | CD | Yes |
| 24-8-1980 | St. Goarshausen, Loreley Amphi-Theater, Germany | AUD | 45 | D | CD | No |
| 25-9-1980 | Philadelphia PA, Spectrum, USA | AUD | 45 | D | CD | No |
| 26-9-1980 | Largo MD, Capital Center, USA | AUD | 45 | C | CD | No |
| 28-11-1980 | Sheffield, City Hall*, England | AUD | 77 | E | CD | No |
| 1-12-1980 | Manchester, Apollo, England | AUD | 63 | B | CD | No |
| 1-12-1980 | Manchester, Apollo, England | AUD | 32 | D | CD | No |
| 9-12-1980 | Derby, Assembly Rooms, England | FM | 48 | A | CD | No |
| 11-12-1980 | Middlesbrough, Town Hall, England | AUD | 75 | D | CD | No |
| 19-12-1980 | London, Hammersmith Odeon, England | AUD | 80 | C | CD | No |
| 19-12-1980 | London, Hammersmith Odeon, England | AUD | 75 | A | CD | No |
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.
Thanks for the information, we added this concert to the site.
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.
Thanks for the message Tom, i will check it and add it if i can find something.
Hi Tom,
Thanks for your message. If i am correct it must be: 1981, Jan 19: Halifax Civic Theatre, England UK
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!
Thanks Mark for the onfo. I will do some research and i will try to find the exact date.
I think it was rescheduled to 23 Jan 1981
Fantastic information! I am actually researching Limelight who supported Saxon on many of the dates above. Would love to hear from anyone with recordings of Limelights performances with a view to a trade.
Thanks Keith, i will ask around if somebody has a Limelight recording. Will let you know if i find something.
Great band Limelight!
I have the 7″ fully signed and some ticket from the 80’s
Great to hear! Thanks for the comment. Some people also ask for live recordings of Limelight
I will look if I found something and I’ll tell you
The show in October 5th in Palatine Il happened. I have the advert that I can send you. I have friends who were at that show in a tiny club Hamaykers.
Wow has to be great! I have a Limelight ticket from 1980, I have to check if its a gig supporting Saxon but I dont think so