Rock Interviews: Magnum
Magnum formed as a four piece by Tony Clarkin (guitar), Bob Catley (vocals), Kex Gorin (drums) and Bob Doyle (bass) in order to appear as the resident band at The Rum Runner night club Birmingham. They have undergone several changes in personnel over the years; however, the core of vocalist Bob Catley and guitarist/songwriter Tony Clarkin remain today.
Magnum's most notable success during their early years was ‘Chase The Dragon’ in 1982, which reached #17 in the UK, and included several songs that would be mainstays of the band's live set, notably "Soldier Of The Line," "Sacred Hour" and "The Spirit".
Their breakthrough album came in 1985 with the Gold Certified album ‘On A Storytellers Night’, which featured the single "Just Like An Arrow". This success continued in the following years with the Roger Taylor produced ‘Vigilante’ in 1986, the Top 5, Silver Certified album ‘Wings Of Heaven’ in 1988, which featured three Top 40 singles, and the Keith Olsen produced ‘Goodnight L.A’. reaching #9 in the UK album charts in 1990.
In 1995 Tony Clarkin announced Magnum's split, and later forming another band, Hard Rain. Magnum would eventually reform in 2001, completing their 14th studio album, ‘Princess Alice, And The Broken Arrow’ in 2007.
Magnum’s new album ‘Into The Valley Of The Moonking’ is released through SPV on 15th June, and they will be live @ the Manchester Academy on 28th October.