The crowd at the Octagon Centre in Sheffield, United Kingdom, witnessed a moment of heavy metal history on November 8, as founding Saxon guitarist Paul Quinn made a surprise return to the stage. The appearance occurred during a stop on the band’s ongoing Hell, Fire And Steel Tour, marking a rare performance from the musician since he officially stepped back from touring duties more than two years ago.
Quinn, who remains a key part of the band’s legacy alongside frontman Biff Byford, joined his former bandmates for a two-song encore that sent the hometown crowd into a frenzy. The guitarist lent his signature fretwork to two of Saxon‘s most enduring anthems: “Denim And Leather” and “And The Bands Played On.”
This guest spot is significant given Quinn‘s decision in early 2023 to retire from the rigors of the road. At the time, the band canceled a South American tour to accommodate the change, eventually recruiting Diamond Head guitarist Brian Tatler to fill the role permanently for live performances.
While Tatler has seamlessly integrated into the touring lineup alongside Byford, guitarist Doug Scarratt, drummer Nigel Glockler, and bassist Tim “Nibbs” Carter, Quinn has not severed his creative ties with the group. In an interview conducted in April 2025 with Gustavo Maiato, Byford clarified the current dynamic, confirming that while Tatler is the “full-time” road member, Quinn is still very much involved in the studio process.
“Yeah, Brian’s in the band full-time, but Paul‘s still sending ideas,” Byford explained in the interview. “He sent me an idea the other day for a song. It just depends how good it is, if we use it. I reject a lot of ideas until people come up with the one that I love.”
Byford emphasized that quality control remains paramount for the band, regardless of who submits the material.
“We always want to make better albums, so we’re always looking for better songs, if you know what I mean,” Byford added.
Saxon, originating from South Yorkshire, remains a titan of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. With approximately 23 million albums sold worldwide and a catalog defined by hits like “Princess Of The Night” and “Wheels Of Steel,” the brief reunion in Sheffield served as a powerful celebration of the band’s enduring lineup history.
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