Where do you start? You can find the history of where the Magnum guitarist and writer was born etc on the internet. I’m not about to rehash his Wikipedia page. This is more about my recollections of Clarkin and Magnum, one of the most underrated UK melodic hard rock bands of all time. I write this a few hours after hearing that Clarkin has passed at the age of 77. Not an age to be sniffed at, even in these days of longevity, but sadly timed, a mere five days before the release of their 23rd album, Here Comes The Rain.
In recent times, Clarkin and long-time vocalist and musical colleague Bob Catley have propelled Magnum back to the centre of UK rock, with a series of high-quality albums that demonstrated Clarkin’s ability to write tune after tune that was both catchy but also meaningful. Check out our reviews of Magnum over the years, and you’ll see what I mean.
I first saw Magnum in 1984 at the New Ocean Club in Rover Way in Cardiff. I was 13 years of age. At the time, the band were promoting their album The Eleventh Hour. It was a set filled with old school classics like Kingdom of Madness, The Spirit, and Sacred hour. Songs that would be my go-to Magnum songs for the next 40 years.
They lost a bit of their rockier edge towards the late 80s, swept up in the US style rock that made the likes of Def Leppard and Whitesnake giants as the decade ended. Wings of Heaven wasn’t the best of their extensive discography in my opinion, but it was their highest charting album with tracks like Start Talking Love, Don’t Wake the Lion and Days of No Trust all bearing Clarkin’s style stamped over them. This was their most commercially successful period, with the career defining On a Storytellers Night and Vigilante (produced by Roger Taylor) forming a trip of albums that saw them headline the NEC in Birmingham, as well as multiple nights selling out Hammersmith Odeon along with performances at Monster of Rock and Reading festivals.
The move towards a US orientated pop rock sound wasn’t backed by the support of their labels an US succeeds eluded them. Albums such as Goodnight LA alienated some for their audience and with creative differences causing problems, the band split in 1995. Clarkin and Catley formed Hard Rain, with limited success and ultimately it was suggested that Magnum return. This happened in 2001, and for the next 23 years Clarkin and Catley, supported by a cast of several returning and new members forged a number of high-quality releases. Their live shows became more entertaining, and their music became more intricate, elaborate and also much more enjoyable. I’d say that from Into the Valley of the Moonking in 2009, Magnum haven’t made a duff album
Despite the advancing years, Clarkin’s songwriting had continued to evolve, with most recent album The Monster Roars a stellar record. His Swansong will be Here Comes the Rain, and it’s an album that is a worthy finale. Rich melodies, playing to Catley’s vocal strengths, underpinned by lush synths and retaining Clarkin’s understated guitar work. He had recently revealed an underlying health condition which had caused the cancellation of their Spring European tour, and I am sure in time we’ll discover if this was more serious than initially suggested. Regardless, the news of his death has reverberated across the rock world. It’s evident in the number of stars paying respects on social media that Clarkin was appreciated by his peers. Now, in the shadow of his passing, maybe this musician will finally receive the recognition that some of us had already given him. Rest in Peace Tony Clarkin and thank you for the music.
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