Saxon is one of the longest-running and most influential bands from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal era.
Formed in 1977 in Barnsley, England, they became a major force in the ’80s metal scene, releasing eight consecutive UK Top 40 albums and selling over 15 million records worldwide. Though their commercial peak faded in the late ’80s, they maintained a dedicated fanbase and continued recording and touring for decades.
With such a long career, it’s only natural to wonder how much the band’s key members have made over the years.
6. Doug Scarratt
Scarratt joined Saxon in 1996, replacing Graham Oliver. His technical playing style helped modernize the band’s sound through the late ’90s and 2000s. Though he hasn’t been as involved in side projects, his nearly three decades with Saxon have ensured a steady income from touring and album sales. His estimated net worth is around $1-3 million.
5. Nibbs Carter
Carter has been Saxon’s bassist since 1988, making him the longest-serving bass player in the band’s history. He played a major role in shaping the band’s sound from the ’90s onward and has appeared on 15 studio albums. Before Saxon, Carter was a session musician and played with Fastway in 1998. His consistent presence in Saxon and songwriting contributions place his estimated net worth in the $1-3 million range.
4. Brian Tatler
Tatler is best known as the guitarist and founding member of Diamond Head. In 2023, he joined Saxon as a touring guitarist, stepping in for Paul Quinn. While his time with Saxon is recent, his legacy with Diamond Head—especially the fact that Metallica covered multiple Diamond Head songs—has provided him with significant royalties over the years. Combined with his earnings from Saxon, his estimated net worth is in the $2-4 million range.
3. Nigel Glockler
Glockler joined Saxon in 1981 and, aside from a few breaks due to health issues and other projects, has been the band’s drummer ever since. His longest absence was in the late ’90s due to neck injuries, but he returned in 2005 and has remained a steady presence. He also briefly played with GTR, Asia, and Toyah. Given his contributions to multiple albums and extensive touring history, Glockler’s net worth is estimated to be between $2-5 million.
2. Paul Quinn
Quinn was a founding member of Saxon and played lead guitar for over 40 years before retiring from touring in 2023 due to health reasons. As one of the band’s core songwriters, he contributed heavily to their classic albums like ‘Wheels of Steel’ and ‘Strong Arm of the Law.’ While Quinn never pursued high-profile side projects, his longevity in Saxon means he has earned significant royalties and touring income over the years. His estimated net worth is in the $3-6 million range.
1. Biff Byford
As Saxon’s frontman since the beginning, Byford has been the face and voice of the band for nearly five decades. His songwriting, powerful vocals, and leadership have kept the band going through various lineup changes.
Besides his work with Saxon, Byford has released solo material, including the 2020 album ‘School of Hard Knocks,’ and formed the project Heavy Water with his son, Seb Byford. He also co-authored his autobiography ‘Never Surrender’ in 2007 and briefly worked as a salesman during a lull in Saxon’s career. With extensive touring, merchandise sales, and royalties from 24 studio albums, Byford’s estimated net worth is between $6-10 million.
