Tony Clarkin, Guitarist and Co-founder of Magnum, Passes Away at 77

Beloved British rock band Magnum is mourning the loss of guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder Tony Clarkin, who passed away at the age of 77. The sad news was confirmed in a statement shared on Magnum’s official social media channels, written by Clarkin’s daughter.

“I know that Tony has touched so many people through his music in so many different ways,” she expressed. “I don’t really have words to express what he meant to me right now as the grief is too fresh.”

“As many of you know Tony had a great affinity with animals. It is the family’s intention to set up a charitable trust in his name to aid this cause, further details to follow. Please do not send flowers or cards, as he would have much preferred expressions of sympathy to go to charity in this way.”

“It was a privilege to call him my Dad.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Offical Magnum page (@magnum_uk)

Clarkin, along with frontman Bob Catley, co-founded Magnum in the early 1970s in Birmingham.

The band initially played in local clubs before solidifying its lineup and releasing their debut album, “Kingdom Of Madness,” in 1978.

Throughout Magnum’s existence, marked by numerous lineup changes, Clarkin and Catley remained at the band’s core. They produced 23 studio albums across six decades, achieving success with releases like “Chase The Dragon” (1982), “Wings Of Heaven” (1988), and “Vigilante” (1990), which all reached the UK Top 10.

Magnum recently announced the cancellation of their European tour just before Christmas, citing Clarkin’s diagnosis of a rare spinal condition.

“Over the past year or so I’ve been bothered by increasingly bad pains in my neck and head,” Clarkin shared. “For a long time the docs couldn’t work out why, but now they’ve found out and it’s gonna mean some changes.”

“This is not gonna be the end of Magnum, but the future might have to be a bit different, so please bear with us while we try and figure out what I can and can’t do moving forward.”

Magnum’s latest album, “Here Comes The Rain,” is set for release on January 12 via SPV/Steamhammer.