Graham Oliver (born 6 July 1952) is an English guitarist who was born in

Mexborough Mexborough is a town in the City of Doncaster in South Yorkshire, England. Situated between Manvers and Denaby Main, it lies on the River Don close to where it joins the River Dearne, and the A6023 road runs through the town. It is contiguous ...

South Yorkshire South Yorkshire is a ceremonial and metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and Humber Region of England. The county has four council areas which are the cities of Doncaster and Sheffield as well as the boroughs of Barnsley and Rotherham. In N ...

. He was a founder member in the heavy metal band

Saxon The Saxons ( la, Saxones, german: Sachsen, ang, Seaxan, osx, Sahson, nds, Sassen, nl, Saksen) were a group of Germanic * * * * peoples whose name was given in the early Middle Ages to a large country (Old Saxony, la, Saxonia) near the Nor ...

from 1976 to 1995.

Career

Oliver was a budding guitarist while working in a factory in the mid-1970s, but gave up after losing the tip of his index finger in an accident with a door, and sold his prized 1962/63

Fender Stratocaster The Fender Stratocaster, colloquially known as the Strat, is a model of electric guitar designed from 1952 into 1954 by Leo Fender, Bill Carson, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares. The Fender Musical Instruments Corporation has continuously ...

(he would attempt to track down the guitar 40 years later).Johnson, Peter (2015)
Rock star seeks reunion with man who bought his Stratocaster
, ''

Shetland Times ''The Shetland Times'' is a weekly newspaper in Shetland, published on Fridays and based in Lerwick, the main town in the Shetland Islands Shetland, also called the Shetland Islands and formerly Zetland, is a subarctic archipelago in Sco ...

'', 2 July 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2017 He was, however, encouraged by future bandmate Paul Quinn to learn to play again. Oliver was originally a member of the band SOB, which formed in 1970. SOB played its first shows in 1970 under the name Blue Condition and toured extensively from 1970 to 1975, also in Germany and the Netherlands. The other members were future Saxon bassist

Steve Dawson ''yes'Steve is a masculine given name, usually a short form (hypocorism) of Steven or Stephen Notable people with the name include: steve jops * Steve Abbott (disambiguation), several people * Steve Adams (disambiguation), several people * Steve ...

, Steve Firth on vocals and drummers David Bradley, John Hart, Cowley and John Walker.Drumming 'hero' to celebrate bandmate Bolan's life with gig
, ''Dewsbury Reporter'', 24 February 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017 The band merged in November 1975 with another local band (Coast) to become first Son of a Bitch and from 1978 Saxon, with whom Oliver played from the start and until 1995, as guitarist during a period in which the band had five top 20 albums in the UK.Metal guru Graham still loves to get it on
, ''

North-West Evening Mail ''The Mail'', known previously as the ''North-West Evening Mail'' (1987–2017), is a daily, local newspaper in the United Kingdom, printed every morning. It is based in Barrow-in-Furness. ''The Mail'' was founded as the ''North-Western Daily Ma ...

''. Retrieved 17 October 2017Rock 'n' Roll excess: Exploring the unusual link between Mexborough band Saxon and Spinal Tap
, ''South Yorkshire Times'', 19 January 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2017Strong, Martin C. (2001) ''The Great Metal Discography'' 2nd edn., Mojo Books, , pp. 476-7Rivadavia, Eduardo
Son of a Bitch Biography
,

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

. Retrieved 17 October 2017 After being fired from Saxon in 1995, he initially reformed his old band Son of a Bitch with former Saxon bassist

and drummer

Pete Gill Peter Gill (born 9 June 1951) is an English former heavy metal drummer, formerly a member of The Glitter Band, Saxon and Motörhead. Gill was one of the two drummers in The Glitter Band, then formed part of the original line-up of Saxon in ...

.Buckley, Jonathan (2003) "Saxon", in ''The Rough Guide to Rock'', Rough Guides, , pp. 906-907OLIVER/DAWSON SAXON's STEVE DAWSON: 'We Have Never Ever Tried To Be The Original Band'
, Blabbermouth.net, 25 September 2007. Retrieved 17 October 2017 Son of a Bitch released the album ''Victim You'' with Thunderhead singer Ted Bullet.Rivadavia, Eduardo
''Victim You'' Review
,

. Retrieved 17 October 2017 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. In 1999, Oliver and Dawson trademarked the name 'Saxon', claiming they had exclusive rights to it, and attempted to stop Saxon singer

Biff Byford Peter Rodney "Biff" Byford (born 15 January 1951) is an English singer best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Saxon. Early life Byford was born in Skelmanthorpe, West Yorkshire, the youngest of four children to Ernest Ch ...

from using the name.Smartt, Ursula (2017) ''Media & Entertainment Law'', Routledge, , p. 423 The trademark claim was overturned after it was ruled to be in bad faith, setting a legal precedent for ownership of a band name. Oliver and Dawson changed the name of the band to

Oliver/Dawson Saxon Oliver/Dawson Saxon was an English heavy metal band formed in 1995 by former members of Saxon, guitarist Graham Oliver and bassist Steve Dawson. Following Steve Dawson's decision to retire from performing in October 2021, Graham Oliver, Gav ...

, and undertook a British tour with

Ronnie James Dio Ronald James Padavona (July 10, 1942 – May 16, 2010), known professionally as Ronnie James Dio, was an American heavy metal singer. He fronted and founded numerous bands throughout his career, including Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio and H ...

. Graham also duetted with

Doug Aldrich Doug Aldrich (born February 19, 1964) is an American hard rock guitarist. He founded the band Burning Rain with Keith St. John in 1998 and has played with Whitesnake, Dio, Lion, Hurricane, House of Lords, Bad Moon Rising and Revolution Saints ...

on "Rainbow in the Dark" on the last gig at

Plymouth Plymouth () is a port city and unitary authority in South West England. It is located on the south coast of Devon, approximately south-west of Exeter and south-west of London. It is bordered by Cornwall to the west and south-west. Plymouth ...

. Oliver has also released the solo album ''End of an Era'' in 2001.Heibutzki, Ralph
''End of an Era'' Review
,

. Retrieved 17 October 2017 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 Kev Moore (born 20 May 1958) is an English bass player and vocalist. Formerly with Tubeless Hearts, he played with English pop band Christie from 1990 to 2003, and was featured in Graham Oliver's Saxon on two European tours, before other comm ...

, Paul Johnson, Phil Hendriks, Richard Spencer and Chris Archer. Since 2002, Oliver has played with former

Marc Bolan Marc Bolan ( ; born Mark Feld; 30 September 1947 – 16 September 1977) was an English guitarist, singer and songwriter. He was a pioneer of the glam rock movement in the early 1970s with his band T. Rex. Bolan was posthumously inducted int ...

session musician Session musicians, studio musicians, or backing musicians are musicians hired to perform in recording sessions or live performances. The term sideman is also used in the case of live performances, such as accompanying a recording artist on a ...

Paul Fenton, touring under the banner "

Mickey Finn's T-Rex Mickey Finn's T-Rex are a band formed in 1997 by former T. Rex members Mickey Finn, Jack Green, and drummer Paul Fenton. They have been regularly touring worldwide since their formation, despite Finn's death in 2003. History Formation I ...

" and formerly "T. Rex (A Celebration of Marc and Mickey)". This opportunity materialised after Oliver played " Get It On" with Rolan Bolan at a show in Bradford. Oliver suffered a

stroke A stroke is a medical condition in which poor blood flow to the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, due to bleeding. Both cause parts of the brain to stop functionin ...

in January 2010, leaving him without feeling in one arm for several weeks.Wheels of steel! Ex-Saxon star beats a stroke
, ''South Yorkshire Times'', 8 April 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2017 In 2011, Oliver joined pupils at Mexborough School in their production of the

Ben Elton Benjamin Charles Elton (born 3 May 1959) is an English comedian, actor, author, playwright, lyricist and director. He was a part of London's alternative comedy movement of the 1980s and became a writer on the sitcoms '' The Young Ones'' and ''Bla ...

musical ''

We Will Rock You "We Will Rock You" is a song written by Brian May and recorded by British rock band Queen for their 1977 album ''News of the World''. ''Rolling Stone'' ranked it number 330 of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004, and it placed at numbe ...

''. In 2012 guitar manufacturer "Vintage" collaborated with Graham to produce two signature guitars based on his famous Gibson SG and Flying-V guitars. The 'SG' model Vintage VS6GO and the 'V' model Vintage V60GO. Oliver and Steve Dawson wrote the book ''Saxon Drugs and Rock and Roll - The Real Spinal Tap'', published by Tomahawk Press in 2012, with a foreword by

Harry Shearer Harry Julius Shearer (born December 23, 1943) is an American actor, comedian, writer, musician, radio host, director and producer. Born in Los Angeles, California, Shearer began his career as a child actor. From 1969 to 1976, Shearer was a member ...

(who drew inspiration for ''Spinal Tap'' from his time on tour with the band in 1982). As of 2017, Oliver was still playing in Oliver/Dawson Saxon. Following Steve Dawson's decision to retire from performing in October 2021, Graham Oliver, Gav Coulson and Bri Shaughnessy recruited new bandmembers and chose to continue working together under the new name of 'Graham Oliver's Army'. Oliver is also an authority on Yorkshire ceramics.

Discography

Saxon

Studio albums * (1979) ''

'' * (1980) ''

Wheels of Steel ''Wheels of Steel'' is the second studio album by English heavy metal band Saxon. Released in 1980, it was their first album to enter the UK Albums Chart, peaking at number 5, and is their highest-charting album in the UK Albums Chart to date. ...

'' * (1980) ''

Strong Arm of the Law ''Strong Arm of The Law'' is the third studio album by English heavy metal band Saxon. It was released in 1980, seven months after '' Wheels of Steel'', and debuted on the UK chart at #11. The last track, "Dallas 1 PM" concerns the assassinati ...

'' * (1981) ''

Denim and Leather ''Denim and Leather'' is the fourth studio album by English heavy metal band Saxon released in 1981. The album was certified Gold status in the U.K. This was the last album with the classic line up of Saxon, as drummer Pete Gill would leave the ...

'' * (1983) '' Power & the Glory'' * (1984) '' Crusader'' * (1985) '' Innocence Is No Excuse'' * (1986) ''

Rock the Nations ''Rock the Nations'' is the eighth studio album by English heavy metal band Saxon, released on 19 September 1986. Album notes The album is the first not to feature original bassist Steve Dawson, who was fired from the band earlier in 1986. Fo ...

'' * (1988) ''

Destiny Destiny, sometimes referred to as fate (from Latin ''fatum'' "decree, prediction, destiny, fate"), is a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual. Fate Although often ...

'' * (1990) ''

Solid Ball of Rock ''Solid Ball of Rock'' is the tenth studio album by heavy metal band Saxon released in 1991 on Virgin Records. Five of its 11 tracks were written by new bassist Nibbs Carter, who co-wrote another three songs. "For our audience – and withou ...

'' * (1992) '' Forever Free'' * (1995) '' Dogs of War'' oes not play on album 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''

Collaborations and guest appearances

Oliver has made a handful of guest appearances with Barnsley comedy band The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican * (2010) ''Strong Arm Of The Law (with

The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican are a British comedy folk and parody band from Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Formed in 2006, they claim to be the hardest working comedy band in the UK, having played over 1200 shows throughout the UK. They ...

- on the album 'Cpl Kipper's Barnsley Trades Club Turn')'' * (2013) ''Jump Ararnd (with

Eliza Carthy Eliza Amy Forbes Carthy, MBE (born 23 August 1975) is an English folk musician known for both singing and playing the fiddle. She is the daughter of English folk musicians singer/guitarist Martin Carthy and singer Norma Waterson. Life and ca ...

Mike Harding Mike Harding (born 23 October 1944) is an English singer, songwriter, comedian, author, poet, broadcaster and multi-instrumentalist. Harding has also been a photographer, traveller, filmmaker and playwright. Early life and education Harding's ...

Maartin Allcock Maartin Allcock (born Martin Allcock; 5 January 1957 – 16 September 2018) was an English multi-instrumentalist musician and record producer. Biography Born in Middleton, Greater Manchester, Middleton, Lancashire (now Greater Manchester), E ...

and Hugh Whitaker)'' * (2013) ''Ace Of Spades'' (a folk-rock cover of

Motörhead Motörhead () were an English rock band formed in London in 1975 by Lemmy (lead vocals, bass), Larry Wallis (guitar) and Lucas Fox (drums). Lemmy was also the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band are often considered a precu ...

's 80's hit, with

- on ''The Bar-Stewards' Big 7-Inch'') * (2014) ''The Devil Went Darn To Barnsley (with

, and

)'' * (2017) ''Crosstarn Traffic (with

- on the album 'Ave It: Bold As Brass)'' * (2017) ''Wheels Of Steel (with

- hidden track on the album 'Ave It: Bold As Brass)'' * (2019) '' Place Of Spades'' (with

- on the album of the same name.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Oliver, Graham English heavy metal guitarists Saxon (band) members Living people People from Mexborough 1952 births