Steven "Dobby" Dawson (born 24 February 1952) is an English bass guitarist and a founder of 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 ...

. Dawson started out in 1970 in the band Blue Condition, which became SOB after a few shows only, together with Dave Bradley, Steve Firth and future

guitarist

Graham Oliver Graham Oliver (born 6 July 1952) is an English guitarist who was born in Mexborough, South Yorkshire. He was a founder member in the heavy metal band Saxon from 1976 to 1995. Career Oliver was a budding guitarist while working in a factory in ...

. In 1975 Dawson, Oliver and new drummer John Walker joined forces with Coast members and Paul Quinn to form Son of a Bitch, which renamed itself Saxon in 1978. Dawson was a member of Saxon until 1986 when he was dismissed among conflict and arguments within the band. From 1996, Dawson and Oliver toured and recorded with Oliver/Dawson Saxon, at times featuring former Saxon drummers

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 ...

and Nigel Durham. In 2002, Dawson released a solo album called "Pandemonium Circus" with Durham on drums. Dawson helped inspire ''

This Is Spinal Tap ''This Is Spinal Tap'' (also known as ''This Is Spınal Tap: A Rockumentary by Martin Di Bergi'') is a 1984 American mockumentary film co-written and directed by Rob Reiner (in his feature directorial debut). The film stars Christopher Guest, M ...

''. "It was only a few years ago that the penny dropped about

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 ...

," he observed in 2014, "when he said he'd been on tour with Saxon and some of the character of

Derek Smalls Derek Albion Smalls is a fictional character played by Harry Shearer in the spoof rockumentary '' This Is Spinal Tap''. He is the bassist for mock British heavy metal group Spinal Tap, playing alongside guitarists Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest ...

had been based on me – pointing at the audience and all that malarkey. Harry's lovely... I'm proud to be an influence on Spinal Tap. They're taking the piss, but that's part of the game, isn't it?"

Discography

Saxon

*''

'' (1979) *''

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 assassinatio ...

'' (1980) *''

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 ...

'' (1981) *'' The Eagle Has Landed'' (1982) *'' Power & the Glory'' (1983) *'' Crusader'' (1984) *''

Innocence Is No Excuse ''Innocence Is No Excuse'' is the seventh studio album by heavy metal band Saxon released in 1985. It was the group's first album for EMI after a falling-out with their previous label, Carrere Records, and their last with original bassist Stev ...

'' (1985) *''

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 ...

'' (1986) (songwriting) *'' BBC Sessions'' (1999) *''Live at Donnington 1980'' (2000)

Son of a Bitch

*''Victim You'' (1996)

Oliver/Dawson Saxon

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

Steve Dawson

*''Pandemonium Circus'' (2002)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Dawson, Steve 1952 births Living people English heavy metal bass guitarists Male bass guitarists Saxon (band) members Black Hen Music artists