Saxon

The Barnsley heavy metal band, leaders of the new wave of British heavy metal, whose 1981 title track "Denim and Leather" is an anthem written for their fans.

Barnsley to the Carrere deal

Saxon came out of two Barnsley bands, S.O.B., which began as Blue Condition in 1970 and was renamed in 1974, and Coast, which had Biff Byford and Paul Quinn. In November 1975 Graham Oliver, Steve Dawson and John Walker of S.O.B. joined Byford and Quinn as Son of a Bitch. Carrere Records refused the name, and by Wikipedia's account they became Saxon in July 1978 and signed to Carrere that September; the official biography instead says they formed as Son of a Bitch and were renamed in 1979. The debut album Saxon came out in 1979.

Wheels of Steel (1980) reached 5 in the UK and Strong Arm of the Law (1980) 11. They played the first Monsters of Rock at Donington in 1980, and in 1982 were the first band to play it twice. Harry Shearer toured with them in 1980, which Wikipedia links to Derek Smalls in This Is Spinal Tap. Then came Denim and Leather (1981), the live album The Eagle Has Landed (1982, UK 5), Power and the Glory (1983, with a cover by Ridley Scott) and Crusader (1984, the first for EMI).

Since the eighties

Rock the Nations (1986) had Elton John on piano, and Dawson was fired in early 1986. Glockler left in 1987 and returned in 1988; the band signed to Virgin in 1990, and Oliver left in 1996 by Wikipedia's account, 1994 by the official biography. Later albums include Lionheart (2004), The Inner Sanctum (2007), Call to Arms (2011), Battering Ram (2015), Thunderbolt (2018), Inspirations (2021, covers), Carpe Diem (2022), More Inspirations (2023) and Hell, Fire and Damnation (January 19, 2024), with Gods of Thunder announced for January 2027. Brian Tatler of Diamond Head joined for touring in 2023 and later permanently. Metal Hammer gave them a Golden God for best UK band in 2012.

Wikipedia says Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Pantera, Testament, Motley Crue and Dream Theater cite them as an influence, and claims sales of over 23 million records.