Graham Oliver - Classic Saxon Riffs on the Metal Axxe Raider VR2001

Former Saxon guitarist and founder member Graham Oliver shows Gav C some of the classic riffs and licks on his Vintage Metal Axxe Raider VR2001

[@craigcotter7476]

I feel G. Oliver wrote the best riffs for the band and Quinny came up with some absolutely brilliant solos. Those two were great together.

[@Ellio1862]

People these days don't realise how big Saxon were back in the 1980's. Their live shows were brilliant.

[@McRonson]

Too fucking right! Saw them support Motörhead in 1979 and they blew everyone away! They knew how to work a crowd and made loads of new fans that night. Motorcycle Man, Wheels Of Steel, Strangers In The Night....all classic rock songs. Saxon are a people's band. No one rubbishes Biff & Co. when I'm around!

[@jonmcgee4150]

Well said Sir!

[@vinograsmusen988]

You say ""Their live shows were brilliant. "" they still are go look OD Saxon they are great

[@christianopreuler1876]

Two months ago in Munich! Saxon and Biff! 👍💪🍾🍻😎🍻🍾💪👍

[@scorchedearthdj]

Their live shows still are

[@j.rothchild173]

They were the first great heavy metal bands to come out in the 80s, then glam metal showed up and these guys just went their on way! Glad they are being resurrected!!

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

Oliver and Quinn were a fantastic team; their guitar playing was so exciting and enthralling .

[@JTB--]

I appreciate the guitarist who create hot riffs like this over the fast shredders any day.

[@scottsrush]

I have played drums for the last 11 12 years and just started playing guitar about 3 weeks ago and all my favorite guitarists are never the fastest besides Eddie Van Halen.and the riffs I wanted to learn first are Saxon and kiss

[@speechy6260]

ohhh yeah..so true !! ..no soul , just technique. these american hair-metal guys..🙄

[@imanaxbert6620]

Graham notes his riffs are the simple ones. Some of the baddest riffin ever played. This was cool.

[@jeanpaulo9501]

Graham Oliver is one of the best English guitarists in my opinion

[@Rose-cp7wv]

Saxon has some badass riffs!

[@ivorharden]

another underatted guitarist

[@nichilistamilitante6418]

One of my favourite 80' guitarist, expecially when he played a white Flying V...

[@chuckmcfadden6782]

Have always admired Graham's guitar playing. Really awesome to see this interview with him jamming. Awesome guitar tone.

[@paulwilliams9535]

Chuck Mcfadden I agree great clean guitar tone he has there.

[@lanmetal]

Mr. Graham Oliver, my favorite Saxon guitar player, for sure. His solos on "Power & the Glory", "Heavy Metal Thunder", "Princess of the Night" (just to name a few) are simply superb. The way he "prepares" the solo (I don't know how else to explain it) before unleashing his full attack is so unique; an unsung guitar hero indeed.

[@seamusnalaoch6409]

For me, nothing beats the solo in Dallas 1 P.M.

[@mikem.7921]

Paul was good too lmfao

[@enricosilvestri6857]

Paul Quiin is better for sure,...Oliver use to much the lever...to me..and soinning on notes

[@franckauger9490]

I've seen SAXON live 3 times in The Transbordeur in LYON (France). NWOBHM was pure metal history. "There was magic in the air."

[@TheKungFuProfessor]

Anyone who plays the guitar would instantly recognise it's Graham Oliver's technique that creates his sound, not the amp or effects. Best to ignore comments from someone who has never picked up a guitar or suck so bad they feel the need to put down people who can play!

[@stuckie3916]

That’s a fact. Saxon riffs are amazing.

[@mudskipper0075]

This is brilliant,it’s like Fred Dibnah does metal...hope to see them in concert soon....👍

[@josedasilva174]

Después de tantos años aún se me sigue haciendo raro que ya no esté en Saxon. Que buen guitarrista y que poco valorado.

[@grice1995]

Ive played with Graham:) Our school did "WeWillRockYou" and Graham was the lead guitarist, He was really good hit every note perfectly. In rehearsals i filled in for the drummer because he was in austria skiing, So i spent all afternoon playing along to some Queen with him. Truly amazing Guy.

[@richardsimons6855]

I met Graham once, way back in 1988 in Oxford Street, London, he’s a lovely bloke and really down to earth 😁👍🏻

[@liamclark3862]

Graham OIiver is my all time guitar hero and Saxon are my all time favorite band!!! I love playing through Saxon licks especially Dallas 1pm! I'd love to meet him again and I wish I had one of his signiture SG's!

[@paulbetteley2047]

First metal lp I brought 1980 wheels of steel saxon and deep purple First metal bands I got into still love them now 2021

[@kieronprice8664]

Saxon..... 1980 they along with the other classic bands of that era i.e. priest, motorhead, maiden, were very underrated. Love this band saw them in 1993 in Birmingham a small rock club very small turn out. About 500 tops....but they did an amazing show. Rock it as lemmy would say. They always will.

[@isaacmedrano23]

I've been playing guitar since I was 9. I was 16 the first time I saw them... They kicked Ass then & They kick Ass now. One of my favorite guitarists. By the way... I'm 54 now.

[@johnbader8679]

What a great underrated guitarist! Definitely hear the stuff Metallica borrowed from this guy and Saxon. Obviously, a huge influence on Dave Mustaine. You can certainly hear it here , particularly on this stuff. Of course a lot of early 80’s Metal was influenced by this great playing!!! Graham Oliver should be known more!!!

[@centaurus5676]

Wheels of steel is a slowed down ''Light in the Black'' by Rainbow

[@AudiophileTubes]

Saw Saxon in NYC back in the mid 80's, and they were amazing live! So much raw energy... loved it when Quinn twirled his guitar! My friends couldn't believe that such a wall of sound was coming out of Oliver's and Quinn's twin guitar attack!

[@massapower]

Its all about the RIFFS, which many MeTaL bands of today don't have. And that's why Classics will SURVIVE !!

[@Ryan_Thompson_Guitarist]

Frank M so true. Bands today can shred all they want and play complex stuff, but the reason bands like Saxon, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest are remembered so fondly is they have catchy, memorable riffs and hooks.

[@Mission2Transition641]

I always love the Metal guitar duos of Tipton/Downing , Murray /Smith, but the duo of Oliver / Quinn was my favorite. Great classic riffs and solos from Saxon.

[@alexsaucedo8032]

Graham o is one badass guitar player Damm he can ripp on some guitar solos. . Love me some SAXON 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@allandavidmacfadyen6639]

This interviewing has been enjoyable. Thank You.

[@petermontgomery8707]

Probably my first guitar hero when I was first getting into metal.Then I discovered schenker van halen and Moore and learned to play myself.Now I go back and listen to Dallas 1pm and I think wow,really doesn’t have to be a million notes.Awesome stuff

[@seekah1]

A whole lotta fun to play those old riffs, clearly can see how much they influenced the US gang that was to follow.

[@theylive23]

By international law every metal band must have at least one song called 'Back On The Streets' or 'Rock 'n' Roll Gypsy' in their set.

[@rockrane1]

Fck yeah dude🤘so True! Cheers 🍻 from 🇫🇮

[@wilde4945]

Awesome firepower. Thank you Graham for your outstanding contributions to Rock and Roll. Great channel Gavin. Will stay tuned in for more.

[@pmay222]

i saw them as a teenager in 1980 hammersmith odeon, strong arm of the law... i never forget biff's spandex troozarrs wi the cucumber down the front..lol... and also saw them as a divorcee in 2001 i think godmanchester near cambridge at a bike rally.. graham was right in front of me on stage, no biff id imagine theyd all fallen out like most bands do...they had some skinny singer feller looked like a heroin addict but he was good frontman..... but the bloke that throws the strat up in the air didnt seem to be there.. great memories

[@steveherrmann2649]

Fantastic guitarist - a true legend! 👍

[@DomenicSinatra]

Graham Oliver and Steve Dobbs Dobson are inOliver/Dawson/SAXON now. They are great.

[@pabloiaconoguitar311]

Great playing Graham a legend !!!!

[@tygersofpantang]

Great lesson from an old MASTER. Loved SAXON.

[@russelrenznerosa8969]

That's guitar looks aweeeeeeeesome!!

[@TURKISH812]

@crazyguitardude666 He is, hes really down to earth and u wouldnt think to see him backstage before a show that he was in a massive rock band!!! Great guy is Graham.

[@chrishopkins77]

Eagle Has Landed reminds me a lot of Victim of Changes

[@italooliveira4288]

Um guitarrista espetacular verdadeiro genio

[@ricardooliveira6727]

Simplesmente uma fera...viveu os melhores momentos da banda...só isso!

[@JoeMama-qd4iu]

He is soo great! Wish he spoke english…..

[@vintageshred71]

Wasstha meen?

[@C861986]

Joe Mama That's proper English!

[@deketk]

That's funny. Adjust yer ears brother. He's one of us for sure.

[@thomasmartin-rx2uu]

He's British to the core.

[@daynedewsbury312]

Tha speaks reet good English to me

[@bladeparkinson1798]

I live around the corner from graham

[@lifeexperiences4969]

Crusaders is the track I love

[@hakanimre]

Rule of the metal= Even if you use 15 watt amp good song or riff still kick ass!!

[@hermanhelmich]

Great riffing Always caught the scratch cat fever reference

[@zandig666]

Thoroughly enjoy saxon !!!

[@koosdani92]

his guitar sounds awesome! Does anybody know what amp is he using?

[@Greenriver842]

Amazing player, love those harmonics

[@musoseven8218]

Great band, great riffs too✌️👍😊

[@nivanblitz355]

GRAHAM 👏👏👏👏💪👏🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷TOCA MUITO!!!!🤘🤘🤘🤘👊👊🇧🇷

[@coat.thik1]

Respect to Saxon from Italy 👊

[@oulosvie]

Some of those riffs are quite difficult to figure out by ear.

[@barano9729]

amazing thanks for posting

[@nickblakeley6010]

Still got my Saxon scarf signed by biff steve grayham pete from wheels of steel tour

[@askburlefot2645]

Some good riffing!

[@ricardo_dalolio2539]

O melhor guitarrista que o Saxon ja teve 🤘👊

[@wildeman1253]

Hell yeah, enjoyed that!

[@booshting3520]

This man owns a whippet, possibly some Ferrets

[@vintageshred71]

@EduardoAllo yes, as did Brian May. My point is that this guitar (and the upcoming GO signature models) are well with in most peoples budgets, unlike most signature guitars that can cost thousands.

[@crazyguitardude666]

@HorridFroth iv just started getting into saxon. their awesome !

[@rickblackers88]

The maestro of my favoritE band of the NWOBHM!!

[@vintageshred71]

@Barano actually I think they are Alnico V magnets. The Vintage Raider VR2000 has the Wilkinson WVHZ humbuckers as standard, which is based on the classic PAF set up.

[@hdunton1]

BRILLIANT!

[@z1xy273]

0:30 power and glory 1:11 wheels of steel 4:10 princess

[@notanfningain]

If only the internet had been around when I was a teenager.

[@1amjon]

I have this guitar in candy red and it plays really well, feels well put together and its comfortable. eyeing up a camouflage metal axxe next

[@martinclayton7260]

That guitar is a lot like my Gibson M111!

[@massimoma1210]

Great, good, Hide work of axe man

[@RamboRambone]

search youtube for : Yngwie Malmsteen - Live In Leningrad 1989 and go to 51.52 and there you have it. :)

[@barano9729]

His pickups sound really hot. Does anyone know what he is using? Ceramic magnets for sure.

[@mediastarguest]

Where are the riffs from the song Stallions of the Highway ?

[@johnlantia-nj4xf]

Saxon rules

[@radoirobert2223]

nice guitar

[@Soxruleyanksdrool]

Great tone. Wonder what he uses for pickups and amps/effects.

[@speechy6260]

me too. must have been plexis...but what else ? no other band had THAT sound !!

[@SUAP123]

@Barano This pickups are in stock in this guitars ;-] Vintage pickups sounds reeeeaaaally awesome \m/

[@jasonhooperkontaktkombatkr2720]

I love Saxon

[@hadleymanmusic]

MAN THAT BADASS FIREBIRD SONG

[@redshaftedflicker]

beastly

[@johns2453]

princess of the night 81..

[@meveRock]

Seek AND destroy 83

[@patolucaspato163]

I remember Madrid 85,Saxon rules!

[@trapazoidalwindow]

simply badass.

[@vintageshred71]

@herolcs01 It's actually an Italia ITR25 - 25 watt transistor amp.

[@tieukhavu8832]

Sounds very warm (valve like) to me.

[@crazyguitardude666]

he looks like really cool guy

[@beano1eye]

@vintageshred71 Graham has forgotten more about guitar playing, than jodonte1 will ever possess in his LIFE!

[@BikerProfesor]

this guy sure likes to play his guitar :-)

[@challenger7050]

where is part 2 ?

[@hinjurock]

Great guitarist, but you can barely understand a word he's saying - that's one of the heaviest English brogues I've ever heard.

[@IronDuke_xX]

My dad is from Yorkshire and most people up there sound line this haha

[@dominicgibson9529]

That's Barnsley, Yorkshire for you:)

[@timbuk1126]

I'm from the US and I can understand everything he says.

[@Warthogfan]

Not surprised they influenced Metallica as they were all big NWOBHM fans

[@willm.7976]

Ok, so the main riff of princess of the night is downstrokes...think i ll need to practice more on this

[@vintageshred71]

Yes. its a bugger to play lol

[@MidnightIsolde]

We sometimes see Graham as he's from the same area

[@vintageshred71]

@EduardoAllo Agree with all you say. No need to spend ££££'s on gear, unless you have the talent it won't make you sound any better.

[@021Sweden]

he has a net worth of 800 000 dollars, one would think it be more given all the songs he co wrote when he still was in saxon

[@RocksteadyRuth]

That seriously would intrigue Graham! Lol

[@RamboRambone]

Yngwie Malmsteen has also "borrowed" from the eagle has landed. :) cant remember the name of the song though right now but it is very obvious.

[@midnightmover2329]

That Man is Saxon

[@isabellecannet6391]

Super

[@danny100ization]

genius,,,,

[@oulosvie]

Princes of the Night riff goes wrong but I guess Paul Quinn wrote that anyway.