It may have been a night for the tears to cease, as front man Bob Catley expressed, but that doesn't mean that there weren't a few shed, as British pomp rockers Magnum made their first appearance on stage following the passing of talismanic band leader Tony Clarkin. Celebrating their fallen comrade, the Midlands' five-piece triumphed at the opening night of their 'A Passage in Time' tour, at London's Kentish Town Forum.
Photo: Robert Sutton.
Taking place on Tuesday night (21st January 2025), the show was billed as a tribute to Clarkin, who passed away in January 2024. The creative behind the band since their inception in 1972 and writer of almost all their music and lyrics, the special show - the first in a five-date run - proved a glorious trawl through the legacy of his musical catalogue.
It was a night few could have predicted happening. When Catley released a video to social media shortly after the passing of Clarkin in which he admitted he couldn't continue with Magnum following the loss of his close friend and musical partner of over five decades, who could have blamed him? Calling the guitarist "our guiding light, the magnum force behind the band, our song writer, our producer, our guitar player", and saying; "he was everything to the band. He was everything to me. For the last fifty years, we never went anywhere without each other", he concluded; "I can’t carry on without Tony".
However with the scars healing and unfinished business left to tend to, Magnum have come back together for (possibly) one last time. "We're here for the right reasons", declared Catley as the show in the capital kicked off; "no more sadness".
With the good will and warmth in the room palpable, the band were in fierce form, taking in all corners of their career from their earliest Birmingham days - 'Kingdom of Madness' - to their brief stint as arena bothering, major label fodder - 'Don't Wake the Lion (Too Old to Die Young)' - and later period revival - 'Lost on the Road to Eternity'.
Playing with power and passion, the band completed by bassist Dennis Ward, drummer Lee Morris and keys man Rick Benton appeared to be enjoying every moment, weaving their way through epics like opener 'How Far Jerusalem' and 'Rock Art' rarity 'The Tall Ships'.
Sensing the vibe of what felt like a genuine celebratory occasion, master of ceremonies Bob opined; "it's going to be a great night tonight", before announcing the man with the toughest job in the room. "We'll introduce you to our new guitar player", he said, tantalisingly; "he used to be Tony's guitar tech, his name is Brendon Riley".
Greeted with a huge cheer that doubled later on as they took their bows, Riley was welcomed with genuine affection. Repaying the love, his performance slotted into the Magnum sound seamlessly, with the talented player performing Clarkin's original parts faithfully.
It wasn't only the guitar player however who was receiving rapturous applause, and with a shake of the head, a stunned Catley could only muster; "what a night... what a night".
Following an intermission to recharge the batteries, the night lifted a gear, with 'Soldier in the Line' kicking off act two. With 'Just Like an Arrow', and "one of Tony's finest songs" - 'Need a Lot of Love' (performed live for the first time in two decades) following, it was clear that this was indeed a very special night. A rousing 'On a Storyteller's Night' and a thrilling 'Vigilante' followed, with the crowd singing along to the choruses with gusto.
Dedicating 'The Spirit' to Tony, the band signed off with an emotive 'When the World Comes Down', before Cately concluded; "you've been brilliant as usual", candidly adding; "We'll see you sometime. Don't know where, don't know when, but we will see you sometime".
If this is their final curtain call, they've done themselves, and their late leader proud.
It was a night few could have predicted happening. When Catley released a video to social media shortly after the passing of Clarkin in which he admitted he couldn't continue with Magnum following the loss of his close friend and musical partner of over five decades, who could have blamed him? Calling the guitarist "our guiding light, the magnum force behind the band, our song writer, our producer, our guitar player", and saying; "he was everything to the band. He was everything to me. For the last fifty years, we never went anywhere without each other", he concluded; "I can’t carry on without Tony".
However with the scars healing and unfinished business left to tend to, Magnum have come back together for (possibly) one last time. "We're here for the right reasons", declared Catley as the show in the capital kicked off; "no more sadness".
With the good will and warmth in the room palpable, the band were in fierce form, taking in all corners of their career from their earliest Birmingham days - 'Kingdom of Madness' - to their brief stint as arena bothering, major label fodder - 'Don't Wake the Lion (Too Old to Die Young)' - and later period revival - 'Lost on the Road to Eternity'.
Playing with power and passion, the band completed by bassist Dennis Ward, drummer Lee Morris and keys man Rick Benton appeared to be enjoying every moment, weaving their way through epics like opener 'How Far Jerusalem' and 'Rock Art' rarity 'The Tall Ships'.
Sensing the vibe of what felt like a genuine celebratory occasion, master of ceremonies Bob opined; "it's going to be a great night tonight", before announcing the man with the toughest job in the room. "We'll introduce you to our new guitar player", he said, tantalisingly; "he used to be Tony's guitar tech, his name is Brendon Riley".
Greeted with a huge cheer that doubled later on as they took their bows, Riley was welcomed with genuine affection. Repaying the love, his performance slotted into the Magnum sound seamlessly, with the talented player performing Clarkin's original parts faithfully.
It wasn't only the guitar player however who was receiving rapturous applause, and with a shake of the head, a stunned Catley could only muster; "what a night... what a night".
Following an intermission to recharge the batteries, the night lifted a gear, with 'Soldier in the Line' kicking off act two. With 'Just Like an Arrow', and "one of Tony's finest songs" - 'Need a Lot of Love' (performed live for the first time in two decades) following, it was clear that this was indeed a very special night. A rousing 'On a Storyteller's Night' and a thrilling 'Vigilante' followed, with the crowd singing along to the choruses with gusto.
Dedicating 'The Spirit' to Tony, the band signed off with an emotive 'When the World Comes Down', before Cately concluded; "you've been brilliant as usual", candidly adding; "We'll see you sometime. Don't know where, don't know when, but we will see you sometime".
If this is their final curtain call, they've done themselves, and their late leader proud.