Saxon - Never Surrender

by byford-biff-tucker-john

Saxon - Never Surrender (or Nearly Good Looking): An Autobiography

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Music

270 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[D'Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got into Saxon rather recently and so I was interested in reading more about the band and learning more about their history. This book is really only recommended for people who are really into Saxon. It's not a very good read, honestly. It is basically a transcription of a very long and at times rambling interview with Biff Byford. The coauthor listed seems to have done little beside lightly edit the transcript. I can't tell you how many times Biff makes a statement and then says something like, "At least I think so. I don't know as it was a long time ago." Since the bulk of the people mentioned in this book are still alive, I don't understand why basic fact checking wasn't done. The fact that Saxon has been around so long and is still making music is pretty awesome. Most bands don't last this long, after all. But what is probably a very interesting history is lost here and all you're left with are Biff's musings. He oftentimes comes across as lacking much self awareness. One of the driving questions of this book is why Saxon never became as big as other NWOBHM bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. Biff blames the record companies a lot, bad business decisions, former bandmates that didn't work out, etc. But he neglects the person who has been a constant with the band from the beginning: Biff Byford. I'm a big fan of Saxon, but they simply aren't as good as Priest or Maiden. Something that strikes me about Saxon is how they have a couple great songs per record, but not a lot of records that stand out as great records. Just about every one of the albums has a song or two or four that suffers from weak lyrics where Biff basically sings something very cliche over and over ("You Don't Know What You've Got" from Killing Ground comes to mind, as does "Never Surrender" from Denim and Leather,. The fact that the book takes its title from this song just reinforces my point). Byford is at his best when he's writing songs about history and war. I love Saxon when they're at their heaviest (Metalhead is one of the records I love the most, as is 2018's Thunderbolt). Basically, I think Saxon would be a more successful band if Biff had a better editor and this book suffers that same fate.

[Jeremy Juliano · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read, interesting to hear about the early days of Saxon and all of the dealings with record labels and the in and out of various musicians. Biff has a working man's point of view and keeps it simple albeit a bit repetitive at times.

[Rick Brindle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a huge Saxon fan, so I was really looking forward to reading this book, an autobiography by Biff Byford, Saxon's singer.
The first thing you notice is that it's packaged, well, poorly. It reminds you of a self-published effort, with little thought going into font or text presentation. Now, that doesn't affect the content as such, but first impressions don't help.
Once you delve into the story, though, you get Biff's life story from day one, and that includes Saxon as well, from the moment they start. There are also Biff's pre-Saxon bands as well, including Coast, Sob and Son of a Bitch.
Here again, though, the poor editing makes itself shown. The narrative reads as though it's an incredibly long interview, or series of interviews, and the transcript is simply typed up and packaged into a book. To be frank, it could have done with a bit of editing. Less would definitely have been more. A lot of the book is absolutely fascinating reading, but a lot of it really over-emphasises Biff's point, simply because it wasn't condensed.
The first thing that hits you is the nth level of detail about Biff's sex life. That part of the story could definitely have been shortened, and a lot of the detail...Biff, mate, we really don't need to know.
Next up is Biff's beef with management. Okay, I get it, but again, it could have been reined in. In short order I've read autobiographies by Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler. They all had issues with managers, but they didn't take over the whole story like it seemed to with Biff's account.
The third story which could definitely do with being pruned was the whole Metallica schism. It really didn't need pages and pages of navel gazing, and besides, exactly as Biff said, it was years ago.
But all of that really only paints part of the picture, and what you get here is an absolute warts and all story of Biff Byford, and because of that, Saxon as well. If you're a fan, this is pretty much essential reading, and even if you're not, it may well hold your interest. And there are also some really deep moments of introspection, when you feel that you really get to know Biff, when he talks about his passion for the music, his relationship with the other band members, and with other bands as well. What also comes through is the utterly complete bond that Biff has for his band, his real commitment to Saxon, and the music they play. What I found most revealing was the story behind Graham Oliver leaving, and I wonder if there was more about Steve Dawson's departure that hasn't yet been told.
This, overall is a basic story, that's rough around the edges, but unashamedly honest.
Just like Saxon themselves.

[Pogo Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

You need to be a fan of Saxon, of Biff, to read this. I'm both and have been for getting on for 40 years (blimey ... I'm getting old)

The book seems to be, pretty much, a long, rambling, lightly edited conversation (monologue?) with Biff. There's lots of stuff in here about music, about his life, his childhood, the band, the trials and tribulations of dealing with managers and record producers, record companies and record company executives.

There's also a lot about what may be politely termed the 'rock and roll lifestyle' aka sex. Lots and lots of that.

As I was only 14 the first time I saw Saxon on stage it's probably a very good job this book wasn't around then. I'd have hoovered it up and probably been scarred for life. However, from that first evening in 1980 at Derby Assembly rooms to the tickets I have for Biff's one man shows later this year, I'm a fan. Have been since then, will still be for a while longer I reckon.

I love this book, but unless you're a fan too you probably won't feel the same.

[Alasdair MacCaluim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the mighty Saxon and have listened to them for over 30 years and seen them live many times including such rock and roll venues as the Motherwell Civic Centre! As such I was keen to read about the history of this amazing but underrated New Wave of British Heavy Metal band - about their successes in the early 80s, their comeback from a slump with the Solid Ball of Rock album in 1990 and their status today as respected elders of the metal scene.

I enjoyed this book and it did tell me about all these things but I do have two quibbles.

Firstly, the book is more of an extended interview than a proper book. There is a lot of repetition, hesitation and suchlike that could easily have been removed with some light editing to make it a much better read.

Secondly, there is way, way too much information about Biff's sex life. I kind of want to wash my brain out with soap now and feel slightly unclean.... I know it was the 80s and rock bands did that kind of thing but some things are best left unsaid!

[zero55 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written Funny and highly enjoyable read the Biography of Saxon's lead singer.

[Mark Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two is a generous score for this book. It's basically just an interview with Biff copied verbatim into book form so any repeated words or even stories are put in. Though its interesting it's a very lazy way of writing a book.

[Jennie Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting if you're a Saxon fan but Biff should have worked with a researcher to check his facts/memory. Reads like a long, rambling conversation.