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Magnum is Birmingham born, melodic rock outfit that has experienced a series of highs and lows within their extensive career. They formed in 1972, and have since undergone many a line-up change. However, the core members, guitarist and songwriter Tony Clarkin and vocalist Bob Catley still remain in place today.

 

When the band signed with Jet Records in 1978, they released 3 albums to a moderate degree of success and toured with the likes of Judas Priest, Def Leppard and Blue Oyster Club. Their 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 highlights of the band's live set, notably ‘Soldier Of The Line,’ ‘Sacred Hour’ and ‘The Spirit’.

Their breakthrough album was delivered in 1985 that earned the band a Gold Certified album, entitled ‘On A Storyteller's Night’ that 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.

 

During 1995, Clarkin made the announcement the band planned to take a break from consistent recording and touring. Commenting on the six-year break, Clarkin now admits, "The break since the middle of the Nineties was definitely necessary for me. Since the end of the Seventies, in fact since we embarked on the preparations for our debut recording 'Kingdom Of Madness', not a single month had gone by in which I didn’t work for Magnum, composed for the group, or at least thought of them permanently. For almost twenty years, all my thoughts had revolved around the band. I needed a break to clear my head and to be able to devote myself to the band again with renewed energy.”

 

Magnum re-formed in 2001 and released the album entitled ‘Breath of Life’ during 2002. A further album, ‘Brand New Morning’ was released in 2004 and the band went on to appear at Germany's Bang Your Head Festival and Lorca Rock Festival in Spain. Their most recent studio album, ‘Princess Alice And The Broken Arrow’ was released during March of 2007 and entered the UK Album Charts at #70; the first time Magnum have charted in the UK since 1994.

 

Magnum undertook a UK tour celebrating the 20th Anniversary of ‘Wings Of Heaven’ in November 2007. These shows were recorded for ‘Wings of Heaven Live’ album that was released during February of this year. To support the release Magnum are soon to set off on the road, with a stop at Manchester Academy 2 on Sunday 11th May.

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