Signing With EMI and Decline of Fan Base: 1984-1989
They signed with EMI Records in 1984 with their first release on the label being Crusader,(UK no 12). The album sold over 2 million copies and the 1984 world tour "The World Crusade" was again a success both in Europe and America. In the US they had Mötley Crüe and Krokus as support for parts of the tour as the band spent one year on the road. Though still heavy, critics detected a more americanized sound on Crusader and fans began to wonder what direction the band was taking. Although the album is regarded as having a more commercial sound, there was one song that couldn't be watered down by the producer and the record company: the title track Crusader – which today is still a fan favorite.
In 1985 they took a more commercial direction with their new record company. Innocence Is No Excuse released in 1985, was a question mark to many fans as the raw, heavy Saxon-sound had been polished to gain US attraction. The album has, however, gained more appreciation both from fans and critics as time has passed since its initial release. A huge world tour in support of the album followed, but in early 1986 bassist Steve Dawson left the band and Saxon was back in the studio recording their 8th studio album Rock the Nations without a bass player. With Elton John guest playing on piano on 2 tracks, Byford laid down the bass parts, but soon the band hired Paul Johnson to fill the spot and a European arena tour followed.
In 1986 they headlined the Reading Festival and toured the U.S.
With American success hard to find, the release of Destiny (1988) did not help and Saxon were later dropped by EMI. In 1988 Paul Johnson was replaced by Nibbs Carter. At the time Carter was only 22 and would later prove to bring new life into the band.
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