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Photo: Darren Griffiths
They nearly folded in 1983, played the arenas in the late 1980s, and nose-dived in 1995. But – fifty years on – Magnum remain magnificent
Magnum have figured prominently in our coverage at GRTR! since 2003. This certainly reflects the collective interests of the review team but the band’s “second coming” has also paralleled the lifetime of our website. In 2012 we celebrated the band’s 40th anniversary and in 2022 we celebrated their 50th anniversary with an extensive feature.
Since 1972 the band have captured the imagination of fans who remain steadfastly loyal. They’ve watched their heroes develop from semi-prog/melodic pop rock practitioners, through the late eighties when they filled Wembley Arena and, in the 1990s when they ultimately imploded. They regrouped in 2000 and since that time have gone from strength to strength, characterised as ever by Bob Catley’s charismatic vocals and Tony Clarkin’s consistently good songwriting.
The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness recognises the band’s consistency since 2003 when they’ve released a strong album every couple of years interspersed with special releases or DVDs.
Photo: David Randall
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I think the highlights would be playing the NEC and Wembley and touring the States with Ozzy in the 80′s. The low point has to be the day Magnum split up, so reforming was a real high point for me. |
Photo: Simon Dunkerley
Have we anything left to say about one of our favourite bands? On the eve of the release of their 23rd studio album it is timely to review our coverage and fill in the gaps left by our 2022 feature.
Magnum may not be filling the NEC’s and Wembley Arena’s like the late 80’s but the band is still a creative force both in the studio and in the live arena. **** Review by Jason Ritchie Album review (Brand New Morning, 2004) |
Our first live review of the band – in October 2004 – was written by long-term fan (and liner note writer) Joe Geesin who wrote: “All in all, we got the early pomp and prog, the anthemic rock and the modern heavier material. The complete works.”
Jason Ritchie, our News and Reviews Editor, is another long-standing fan having followed the band since their appearance at Donington (Monsters Of Rock) in 1985.
Our next live review of the band appeared in April 2005 when the band celebrated the 20th anniversary of the classic ‘On A Storyteller’s Night’ playing the whole album in the second half. An expanded version of the original album was released. A live album also appeared and a DVD.
Perhaps not surprisingly, given Magnum’s new found ascendancy, there was also the re-release of 1970s albums in 2006 with bonus tracks. (In 2023 the Jet albums were collected and reissued as a box-set). An excellent live recording from the original Storyteller’s Night tour in 1985 – culled from Radio Clyde – was released in 2004.
Fast-forwarding ten years, to 1995, the band’s live swansong Stronghold was re-released in 2006
Photo: Noel Buckley
Magnum return with possibly their most intricate album with regards to production and instrumentation. ***** Review by Jason Ritchie Album review (Princess Alice And The Broken Arrow, 2007) |
Both Jason and Joe provided a joint review for the band’s gig at the Mean Fiddler in London in May 2007 when Joe thought that the band could shake the set-list up a little and introduce some earlier tunes like ‘Changes’ or ‘Back To Earth’.
Bob Catley chatted to David Randall for the GRTR! podcast in December 2007. Their wide-ranging interview included reference to Bob’s solo work.
Photo: Simon Dunkerley
Photo: David Randall
| The Magnum tour was fantastic- incredibly easy to adjust – I found it very natural to play with the lads. What was pretty unnatural were Al Barrow’s feet! But you gotta love him for that! |
| I’m quite happy to be the main songwriter, I find it easier to write on my own. |
It is fair to say that it is the promoters and the record label (Magnum have been with German label SPV since 2001) that encourage Magnum to revisit certain back catalogue. This explains a further tour in November 2007 when the band played the whole of ‘Wings Of Heaven’ ahead of the album’s 20th anniversary. Jason again: “Magnum are really on form currently – a great studio album released earlier this year and live wise they are as good as their late 80′s days.”
Tony Clarkin chatted to David Randall in February 2008 for the GRTR! podcast. They covered a wide range of subjects including Wings Of Heaven Live and songwriting.
The tour continued in May 2008 when Ian Pollard noted that the band had consulted die-hard fans before the tour about set-list changes.
Amongst those songs added in were ‘Changes’, ‘Midnight’ and even ‘We All Need To Be Loved’ from the oft-overlooked ‘Rock Art’, the band’s semi-swansong in 1994. “Having seen the band live 70-something times, I am never going to leave a gig disappointed because Magnum always deliver the goods. This time, however, there was something extra.”
Another big fan Andrew Lock reviewed the band at The Assembly in Leamington Spa in November 2009 and wrote “With such a back catalogue the band are surely spoiled for choice when it comes to the older material and the set included material from at least six of their earlier albums.
Stand out tracks from the main set included the anti-war classic Les Morts Dansant from their best known album On A Story Tellers Night, Dragons Are Real from the 2007 album ‘Princess Alice and the Broken Arrow’ and the sheer power of the all time classic Vigilante.”
A live recording of the tour was released in 2008.
Overall possibly less pomptastic than 2007′s ‘Princess Alice…’ but instead you get a more varied song mix and heavy in many respects as well. With the excellent Rodney Matthews artwork it may actually take you some time to open your CD case! ****1/2 Review by Jason Ritchie Album review (Into The Valley Of The Moonking, 2009) |
The compilations continued in 2009 with The Classic Collection. There has been no shortage of this sort of recycling and Magnum have always been plagued by similar releases for which they derive no income. Thankfully, an almost-definitive box set was released by Sanctuary/Universal in 2010.
Photo: Lee Millward
In 2010 the band featured in the inaugural High Voltage when Andy Nathan commented “I realised, in conversation with a friend, that despite seeing them every tour this was the first time I’d seen Magnum at a festival since 1987!”
They may not have the instant appeal of some melodic rock based bands but the joy of Magnum songs is that they grow better after each listen. **** Review by Jason Ritchie Album review (The Visitation, 2011) |
Another festival appearance for the band – in December 2011 – saw them at Hard Rock Hell in Prestatyn, North Wales. Keith Thompson thought the gig took a bit of time to warm up: “After a slow start one of Britain’s hardest working rock bands had eventually turned around a strangely lethargic court. True professionals with a back catalogue most bands couldn’t steal, Magnum were not about to go through the motions and left the stage with the reception they deserved.”
Reviewing Magnum’s gig at the Tivoli in Buckley, North Wales in April 2011 David Randall noted the last time he saw the band was in the 1990s at the same venue, and once in a week when they preceded Oasis. Randall decreed: “Magnum are sounding more majestic, and magnificent, than ever.”
Photo: Noel Buckley
They may not have the instant appeal of some melodic rock based bands but the joy of Magnum songs is that they grow better after each listen. **** Review by Jason Ritchie Album review (On The 13th Day, 2012) |
Get Ready to ROCK! celebrated the band’s 40th anniversary in 2012 with a year-long promotion. Jason Ritchie reviewed the band in November at London’s Islington Academy. “The set list featured a lot of songs from their albums since they returned back in 2001, showing how good these albums have been… With the rock solid rhythm section of Al Barrow and Harry James, this is the strongest Magnum line-up for me and live they are one of the most consistent acts out there today.”
David Randall chatted to the band members at rehearsal in November 2011.
It is fair to say that with Magnum you will probably never get a naff album. Tony Clarkin’s songwriting sensibilties and the band’s standards are far too high for that. ****Review by David Randall Album review (Escape From The Shadow Garden, 2014) |
Photo: Simon Dunkerley
The band’s 2014 album was launched at the Robin 2, West Midlands in March 2014 an event covered by photographer/reviewer Simon Dunkerley. Magnum returned to the Tivoli in North Wales in March promoting the new album when David Randall wrote: “I am left with the conclusion that this is a band that very much plays to Clarkin’s tune both literally and metaphorically. With a songwriter who is known for his consistency this might not be perceived to be a problem but in terms of risk taking and adventure it may not be the best option.”
Photo: Simon Dunkerley
Randall regretted that the band’s setlist remained remained reasonably static revolving around a clutch of new tunes from the current album and the core of “classics”. “Some more setlist surprises could only endear us more.”
| Magnum should be treasured as jewels in the crown of British Rock.
Darren Griffiths |
In Glasgow, a week or so later, Live Editor Dave Wilson provided the rejoinder: “With such a large back catalogue to choose from and with so many great songs it would be hard to please everyone.”
The tour concluded in London at Islington Town Hall when Jason Ritchie noted: “It shows the strength of Magnum’s back catalogue that they can leave out classics like say ‘Just Like An Arrow’ and feature a handful of songs of their new album. A highly enjoyable night of music and everyone went home smiling as that’s what a Magnum live show is all about, escaping to a magical world of music created by five fine musicians.”
Photo: Simon Dunkerley
The band rounded off 2014 with an appearance at Planet Rockstock in December when Darren Griffiths wrote: “Although the setlist is not all about the past, the biggest cheers are for songs from the classic Storytellers Night including ‘How Far Jerusalem’ which sends everyone into a jumping frenzy with their hands aloft pumping their fists into the air to the chorus.”
David Randall, reviewing the band in early 2015, continued to bemoan the lack of adventure.
“Surely the key to a great gig is where the band drop in a few surprises, a few obscurities and a few well remembered classics post-1986, if only to please the hardcore and maybe to get newcomers searching out the older stuff? That’s good marketing sense, if nothing else.”
| Magnum’s enveloping sound filled the room with a portentous feel that was lapped up by a capacity crowd.
Pete Feenstra |
The gig was a warm-up for the Giants Of Rock gig when Simon Dunkerley commented that “Magnum spent much of the day doing dutiful signings and meet ups with the roaming fans and could be seen a number of times over at the fantasy artist Rodney Matthews‘ stall; most will know Rodney designed their classic album covers.”
From the opener and title track ‘Sacred Blood “Divine” Lies’ Magnum seem to have regained their late-eighties, early-nineties mojo. ****1/2 Review by David Randall Album review (Sacred Blood “Divine” Lies, 2016) |
Darren Griffiths reviewed the band in May 2016 when he wrote: “Magnum have always been and will remain, a special band to me; they are one of those bands that once you become a fan, you will always be a fan. Granted over the last few album releases I haven’t exactly fallen head over heels like I did with ‘On A Storytellers Night’ and ‘Vigilante’, but there are always pieces of brilliance that I love and admire in this band and they are a must see every time they tour.
Darren noted also the wide range of demographic: “all the youngsters dotted around the crowd, some no older than late teens who have either grown up with their Fathers’ music (or being brainwashed by it) but either way there is another generation of Magnum fans to take over the mantle.”
Bob Catley chatted to David Randall for Get Ready to ROCK Radio. First broadcast 25 December 2016. This was not long after Mark Stanway’s departure from the band and the interview also includes Bob chatting about his career.
Early January 2017 saw the release of a compilation The Valley Of Tears – The Ballads following an idea from Tony Clarkin’s daughter. This featured remixed tracks but no new material, contrasting with the earlier Evolution. In his review David Randall remarked that the only album missing in the band’s discography is a fully orchestral offering. Although the title track of their next studio album was actually orchestrated …
Mark Stanway was featured in a two-part interview special broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio in February 2019. In the first part he chats about his time in Magnum with selected tracks
In September 2016 Mark Stanway announced he was leaving the band during their autumn UK tour. Stanway went on to form ‘Kingdom of Madness’ playing a selection of earlier Magnum material. Rick Benton (ex-Rebecca Downes Band) was drafted in immediately to conclude the series of dates.
Photo: David Randall
In November 2017 the band headlined HRH Prog an early festival outing for new band members Benton (keys) and Lee Morris (who replaced Harry James now increasingly occupying Thunder’s drum stool). Pete Whalley wrote: “If there was a complaint, it could only be that it was a somewhat restrained, soft rock, singularly paced – almost AOR set – with ‘Your Dreams Won’t Die’ almost in Traveling Wilbury/Jeff Lynne territory.”
Whalley’s next meeting with Magnum came at Giants Of Rock in January 2018 when the band appeared briefly on stage but left beaten by technical issues. “The loss of beef from the dining menu may have been as significant as the loss of 20 minutes from Magnum’s set but fortunately we needn’t have worried: steak was on. Magnum were off.”
 ‘
‘Lost’ will appeal to the die-hards (who will surely hail the return of the early eighties logo) as well as the lapsed. Forty years after their album debut, ‘Lost On The Road To Eternity’ is an absolute triumph. ***** Review by David Randall Album review (Lost On The Road To Eternity, 2018) |
In 2018 the band appeared for the first time at arguably Birmingham’s finest music venue Symphony Hall. It was like a real homecoming and captured on a CD/DVD release in 2019. Our review noted that Rick Benton in particular was a great addition and the historic keyboard parts were reproduced with great attention to detail. Benton was also key in creating the orchestration of the impressive title track of the latest studio album.
A year later Darren Griffiths reviewed the band’s South Wales gig confirming that “the band seems refreshed and better than I have seen them in years. Bob’s voice is in fine fettle and reaffirms that there is only one guy who could and should sing these songs.” The set closed with the ten-minute opus from ‘Wings Of Heaven’ “Don’t Wake The Lion”.
Completing the current Magnum line-up Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69) joined on bass in 2019 when Al Barrow decided to emigrate to the States. Barrow still keeps in touch with the band and is still involved with their album design.
In terms of former band members during this period we sadly lost original drummer Kex Gorin (2007) and Jimmy Copley (2017).
Tony Clarkin chatted to David Randall for Get Ready To ROCK! Radio. First broadcast 20 December 2020.
| Tony Clarkin should be considered proper prime minister material – a deft ability to deliver on promises and always providing a certain quality resolve based on creative skill and experience.
David Randall |
The Serpent Rings continues the high standard and renewed vigour not least down to the addition of a relatively new keyboard player and drummer and – now – a new bassist **** Review by David Randall Album review (The Serpent Rings, 2020) |
A further compilation was released during early Lockdown (2020) picking out some of the band’s “heavier” tracks. Covid robbed the band of the immediate promotion of their next studio album and UK punters had to wait until March 2022 for the band’s postponed promotional tour.
The best that can be said about ‘The Monster Roars’ is that it simply tops up a very fine back catalogue ***1/2 Review by David Randall Album review (The Monster Roars, 2022) |
In March 2022 a major feature at Get Ready to ROCK! celebrated the band’s 50th anniversary. This brought together original contributions from the review team and reflected our coverage over the years. We also invited recollections from fans.
 .
.. each album, for fans, is a matter of weighing up relativity if not similarity to predecessors. The album does repay repeat listens, always a good sign of solid songwriting and musicianship. **** Review by David Randall Album review (Here Comes The Rain, 2024) |
Jason Ritchie’s comments, in contributing to that extensive retrospective, still ring true: “Magnum, the kings of pomp and splendour, long may they continue…”
To celebrate Magnum’s 50th anniversary as part of “Magnum Month@GRTR!” in March 2022 a two-hour special was broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. This includes archive material and interviews plus tracks from throughout the band’s history.
Story coordination by David Randall.
Contributors: Simon Dunkerley, Pete Feenstra, Joe Geesin, Darren Griffiths, Andrew Lock, Andy Nathan, Ian Pollard, David Randall, Jason Ritchie, Keith Thompson, Pete Whalley, Dave Wilson
Feature: An Introduction to Magnum, 2020
Feature: Magnum @50 (March 2022)
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.
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