Graham Oliver

Graham Oliver (born 6 July 1952) is an English guitarist who was born in Mexborough, South Yorkshire.^{[citation needed]} Oliver is notable for having been a guitarist in the heavy metal band Saxon.^[1]

Career

Oliver played with Saxon from 1976 to 1995 .^{[citation needed]} After leaving the band, he initially reformed his old band Son of a Bitch with former Saxon bassist Steve Dawson and drummer Pete Gill. Son of a Bitch released the album Victim You with Thunderhead singer, Ted Bullet.

Bullet and Gill left the band after the release of the album. They were replaced by the vocalist John Ward, and another former member of Saxon, Nigel Durham on drums. Oliver and Dawson changed the name of the band to Oliver/Dawson Saxon, and undertook a UK tour with Ronnie James Dio. Graham also duetted with Doug Aldrich on "Rainbow in the Dark" on the last gig at Plymouth. They initially performed under the Saxon name before being halted by legal action taken by the version of Saxon featuring Biff Byford.

Oliver has also released the solo album End of an Era.^{[citation needed]} Five of the tracks were written and performed by the rock indie band Bullrush, with whom Graham Oliver's son Paul played drums, along Steve Tudberry and Scott Howitt. Also appearing on the album were Pete Gill, Steve Dawson, Kev Moore, Paul Johnson, Phil Hendriks, Richard Spencer and Chris Archer.

Since 2003, Oliver sometimes played with a former Marc Bolan session musician, who tours under on the T. Rex banner.^{[citation needed]} This opportunity materialised after Oliver played "Get It On" with Rolan Bolan at a show in Bradford. Oliver also gained an endorsement from the British guitar company Indie.

As of 2005, Oliver was again playing in Oliver/Dawson Saxon in the US.^{[citation needed]}

Oliver and Steve Dawson are currently writing the book, 'Saxon Drugs and Rock and Roll - The Real Spinal Tap'.^{[citation needed]} The book will tell the story of how Oliver and Dawson were the inspirations for the film This is Spinal Tap, and will include stories that never made it into the film.^[2]

Discography

Saxon

Studio albums

• (1979) Saxon
• (1980) Wheels of Steel
• (1980) Strong Arm of the Law
• (1981) Denim and Leather
• (1983) Power & the Glory
• (1984) Crusader
• (1985) Innocence Is No Excuse
• (1986) Rock the Nations
• (1988) Destiny
• (1990) Solid Ball of Rock
• (1992) Forever Free
• (1995) Dogs of War

Live albums

• (1982) The Eagle has Landed
• (1989) Rock 'n' Roll Gypsies
• (1990) Greatest Hits Live
• (1999) BBC Sessions
• (2000) Live at Buxted Lodge 1980

Son of a Bitch

• (1996) Victim You

Oliver/Dawson Saxon

• (2000) Re://Landed
• (2003) It's Alive
• (2003) The Second Wave: 25 Years of NWOBHM
• (2012) Motorbiker

Solo

• (2001) End of an Era

References

External links

• Official website
• Graham Oliver at eNotes.com