Magnum: A Tribute To The Music Of Tony Clarkin - A Passage In Time -
The Junction, Cambridge Sunday, 5th October 2025
Tonight, at The Junction, I don’t quite know what to expect, but I am very sure it is going to be special and emotional. Magnum are a band that I have loved nearly ‘All Of My Life’, a band that I have seen rise from supporting Krokus in Ipswich onto headlining West Runton Pavillion. A band that have released some of the finest music and greatest albums I have ever heard. A band that rose and rose to play venues like the legendary Hammersmith Odeon and bigger on their Wings Of Heaven Tour.
‘In The Beginning’ and since reforming in 2001 Magnum have delivered a stage performance that creates a feeling of joy and euphoria. Bob Catley’s voice and visual presentation is and has always been enchanting. Tony Clarkin’s songs and guitar sound are simply on another level, be that back in the day of his hat, big hair and huge beard or when he shocked us all by shaving it all off!
Tony had an enigmatic powerful presence. The keyboard player (Mark Stanway) oozed star quality with his delightful, dexterous playing. Back in the past Wally Lowe offered a different focal point, maybe he liked playing the clown, it all created a vibe that captured what I consider to be the perfect platform for a live show.
Things changed when they reformed in 2001 for Breath Of Life, it took a few tours for Al Barrow to settle in. But soon the band sparkled and shone like the stars they are once again. This evening at the Junction I will be seeing old and new friends and Magnum, a band that has ‘The Spirit’ to send you to the ‘Kingdom Of Madness’, where ‘On A Storyteller’s Night’ you can get ‘Lost On The Road To Eternity’ at least for a ‘Sacred Hour’.
Act 1. How Far Jerusalem/Lost On The Road To Eternity/Wild Swan/When We Were Younger/Tall Ships/The Flood/Les Morts Dansant/Don’t Wake The Lion.
And so, it begins. I have goosebumps in anticipation. A dark shadowy figure emerges onto the stage, similar to Darth Vadar. Is this the storyteller? His vocal deliverance was not at all clear, almost indecipherable! What is the significance of this menacing and macabre character? It didn’t appear to fit the occasion of celebration. Then the music starts, a jampacked venue explodes with joy as ‘How Far Jerusalem’ gets us up and bouncing.
The gig is split into two halves, there is no support, Catley plays the jester as his voice defies his 78 years. We get some deep cuts like ‘The Flood’ and ‘Tall Ships’ that are great to hear. From my vantage point, everywhere I look there are huge beaming smiles, I think everyone has come to express their love of both the band and Tony’s music, to rejoice and celebrate! ‘Les Morts Dansant’ is followed by a defiant and uplifting ‘Don’t Wake the Lion’, which sees act one concludes in great style.
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During the interlude I find myself considering the merits of the performance so far. It doesn’t seem emotional, it doesn’t have the visual appeal, the focus is almost entirely on Bob, like the lighting. Rick Benton is at the back, his head occasionally peering over his instrument. Lee Morris is swamped by the size of his drum kit making him almost impossible to see. Dennis Ward delivers his bass lines as he needs to, without gravitas or fuss.
Then you arrive at the man who has the most impossible shoes to fill, guitarist Brendon Riley, not only was he Clarkin’s guitar tech, he was also a very close friend. He plays very well, Bob introducing him and encouraging him. Everyone watching is simply here to hear the songs, Bob is the obvious and only star on the stage, he is MAGNUM.
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I don’t know why, I really wasn’t feeling it, I have cried and been overwhelmed by these songs. Not only that, it was the first time I have been given the opportunity to photograph the band, maybe as I was pointing my lens it was casting too many shadows…
Act 2 Setlist: Soldier Of the Line/Just Like An Arrow/Need A Lot Of Love/On A Storytellers Night/ Midnight/All England’s Eyes/Vigilante/Kingdom Of Madness.
Encore: The Spirit/When The World Comes Down.
For me there was a palpable rise in the atmosphere even before they returned to the stage. Maybe Mr. Catley had not pushed himself to hard thus ensuring his voice lasted for the lengthy set. Whatever it was as the opening sounds of ‘Soldier Of Line’ filled the venue there was an immediate uplift in proceedings. You could feel the crowd, you could see the intensity in our vocalist’s performance, the smiles, the gestures transporting you back to all the gigs of the past.
‘Just Like An Arrow’ was greeted by a thousand singing voices as everyone danced and jumped. The atmosphere now jubilant. ‘On A Storytellers Night’, was triumphant, with all present part of the choir, you could see the emotion as Catley conducted us all. ‘All England’s Eyes’ was a pleasant surprise; it certainly kept the night light burning.
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‘Vigilante’ increased the excitement by another notch, as all around people bounced in unison. I was now really feeling it, it was getting hot the venue was alive. Closing the main set was ‘Kingdom Of Madness’ and madness ensued! We all became crazy mothers!
Encore time and it could only be ‘The Spirit’, wow! If it is the last time, I see and hear this song live, it will live in the memory. There has to be a final song, ‘When The World Comes Down’ has us all singing in unison, arms aloft, hanging on every note.
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As Magnum took their final bows, Bob exclaimed; "Cambridge you have been the best, we will to see you again!" I know a new album of previously unreleased Clarkin songs is coming soon, but I remain unconvinced as whether they should continue. Maybe if ex-members are involved it would bring full closure to a band that has given so much to so many for so long. That would perfectly end ‘The Great Adventure’ and acknowledge the ‘Changes’.
A message to all of the Tony Clarkin family, his memory will live on, ‘Your Dreams Won’t Die’…
By Paul Mace