Magnum / KK’s Steel Mill / Wolverhampton

Special nights, just don’t come much more special than this. Tonight we’re back at KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton for the mighty Magnum.

Magnum were formed in Birmingham back in 1972 by Tony Clarkin (guitar, songwriter) and Bob Catley (vocals). Over the years they have gone through a number of changes in personnel, but the beating heart of the band has remained Catley and Clarkin.

Magnum released their debut album “Kingdom of Madness” in 1978, and their most commercially successful album was “Chase the Dragon” released in 1982, which reached #17 in the UK album chart. In total they have released 25 in total (inc 2 as Hard Rain), the most recent being 2024’s “Here Comes the Rain”.

Tragically, just 5 days before the release of the last album, Tony Clarkin passed away aged just 77.

In October 2024, the band announced that a live recording from December 2022 would be released in January 2025 as a live album titled “Live At KK's Steel Mill”. This is the last official live recording featuring Tony Clarkin.

To mark the release, and to pay tribute to his bandmate and life long friend Bob Catley announced the “A Passange in Time” tour – a tribute to Tony Clarkin. Just 5 dates in London, Manchester and Glasgow, fittingly ending with a two night stand at KK’s in Wolverhampton, the scene for their last live recording together.

With no support, Magnum delivered two sets. The night started with a video wall showing images of Tony through the years, bringing laughs and tears to many eyes. The slideshow was watched in respectful silence. Finally Bob and the band hit the stage to a huge cheer and they dive into How Far Jerusalem and its clear Magnum mean business.

At the end of Lost on the Road to Eternity Bob pays tribute to his friend to chants of “Tony, Tony” from the crowd before he introduces us to Brendon Riley, who has stepped in to the impossible job of filling Ton’y shoes. Brendon is already known to many in the room, as Tony’s guitar tech, and it somehow feels only right for him to take over guitar duties for the night. No doubt an incredibly difficult thing to do, and hugely emotion for Brandon, he did an incredible job.

The amazing track When We Were Younger raises the emotions to yet another level. Bearing in mind the circumstances the track seems to take on a sentimental meaning tonight, but it’s clear that Bob is loving singing the lyrics his great friend wrote, and living it all, all over again.

The emotions are pushed right over the edge as Brandon picks up an acoustic, and Bob takes a seat and shakes a tambourine for the stunning The Tall Ships which is delicate, emotional and heartfelt in its delivery. A real showcase as well for the keyboard skills of Rick Benton, who was magnificent all night.

The first set rounds out with Les Morts Dansant which has the crowd cheering and shouting along and finally the epic Don’t Wake The Lion. If the night ended here, it would have been spectacular…. But there’s more to come….

A trip to the bar and facilities and the big crowd were eager to go again, and so too were Magnum. The second set dipped in to some of their less well known or long forgotten tracks, much to the delight of the room full of devoted, die-hard fans, such as Soldier Of The Line with its power and energy. The mix of tracks is well designed with On A Storyteller’s Night, All England’s Eyes and Vigilante delighting the crowd.

The main set ends with Kingdom of Madness before a two song encore of The Spirit and When The World Comes Down. There is no better way to end the night, and there isn’t a dry eye to be seen, as Bob delivers the emotional lyrics with heart felt meaning and pain. Seriously, I don’t know how he got through the show.

The words “There are times it’s hard to swallow, when the world comes down on you. May it shine on you tomorrow, and your dreams, they all come true”.

And it’s all over…… the crowd roar and cheer having witnessed something truly special. An incredible tribute to an incredible man, but a performance for the ages. As I walk through the cool Wolverhampton night to the car, I can’t help but wonder if that is it. Having said such a wonderful heartfelt farewell its to be seen if Bob wants to continue or not. As a Magnum fan, you hope so, but if that iss the end of the road, for one of Britains heavy rock greats….. there is no better way to go.

Set 1:

How Far Jerusalem

Lost on the Road to Eternity

Wild Swan

When We Were Younger

The Tall Ships

The Flood (Red Cloud's War)

Les morts dansant

Don't Wake the Lion (Too Old to Die Young)

Set 2:

Soldier of the Line

Just Like an Arrow