Bassist Steve Dawson played an integral role in the success of British metallers Saxon, which began in 1972 as Son of a Bitch: he got the gigs, drove the van, and sent the demos. However, the band stayed unsigned until 1979, when Carrere Records issued Saxon.
Platinum success followed Wheels of Steel (1980), which also broke the band internationally. Dawson's no-frills writing style made itself felt on the title track, "747 Strangers in the Night," "Freeway Mad," and "Street Fighting Gang." He remained a strong contributor on Denim & Leather (1981), Strong Arm of the Law (19...