Nigel Durham

Nigel Durham was English; the Encyclopaedia Metallum lists his birthplace as Rotherham in South Yorkshire, the home region of Saxon. He was 61 when he died in October 2026. Details of his early life and musical training were not widely published, though a former school friend remembered him at his death as a top drummer and a top guy.

Durham became Saxon's drummer in 1987, taking over from Nigel Glockler. He played on "Destiny", the band's ninth studio album, recorded in 1987 at Sarm Hook End in Berkshire with producer Stephan Galfas and released by EMI in March 1988. Its singles were "Ride Like the Wind", a cover of the Christopher Cross song, and "I Can't Wait Anymore". It was the only Saxon studio album recorded with Durham and bassist Paul Johnson. After EMI dropped the band, Durham and Johnson left during the 1988 tour and were replaced by bassist Nibbs Carter and a returning Glockler. In a 2015 interview with Metalliville, Durham said that EMI and the producer had been trying to make the band more commercial and radio friendly, and "that just isn't Saxon."

In 1999 he drummed with bassist Steve Dawson in a project named after the original pre-Saxon band, and from 2000 to 2010 he was the drummer of Oliver/Dawson Saxon, led by former Saxon guitarist Graham Oliver and Dawson. His recordings with the band included the live albums "Re://Landed" (2000) and "It's Alive" (2003), the video "Rock Has Landed, It's Alive" (2002), the split release "The Second Wave" (2003) and the live album "Rock Has Landed, It's Alive" (2009). From 2013 to 2016 he played with Morpheus Rising, appearing on their 2014 album "Eximius Humanus". He also played in the Matt Black Band, the solo project of musician Matt Black.

Durham was married to Lauretta and had a daughter, Gemma, and grandchildren, all named in Saxon's statement on his death. In April 2026 he had to deny false online reports that he had died, confirming on his own social media that he was alive.

Saxon announced Nigel Durham's death on 24 October 2026, saying they were very sad to hear of the passing of a member of the Saxon family and sending their love and thoughts to his wife Lauretta, daughter Gemma, his grandchildren and family. He was 61. The exact date and place of death and the cause were not made public in the reports available. Saxon drummer Nigel Glockler, music shop owners and former bandmates paid tribute, describing him as a great player, a powerhouse drummer and a lovely person.

Durham's playing is preserved on Saxon's "Destiny", including the band's version of "Ride Like the Wind", and on a decade of live recordings with Oliver/Dawson Saxon. Within the wider Saxon family of musicians and fans he was remembered with warmth as a gentleman and a hard hitting, dependable drummer.