I’ve been a fan of the band Magnum since I was 16 years old (yes, that’s where the Magnumlady comes from), sadly Tony Clarkin, who was the lead guitarist and songwriter for the band passed away after a short illness last January. This hit the fans very hard, the fans are a very special community of people, I refer to them as the Magnum family. We shared our grief through the online groups, we shared our memories, and our tears, it was like losing a family member.
Bob Catley, the lead singer, did a heartfelt video about how he couldn’t go on as Magnum without Tony being at his side, and we totally understood how Bob felt, although it looked like that was the end of our favourite band.
In September a tribute to Tony tour was announced. I had no idea what that would look like, but I booked my ticket for Manchester, one last chance to see my favourite band. There were five gigs taking place in four locations; London, Manchester, Glasgow and two in Wolverhampton. I was trying to work out the logistics and Manchester was the handiest for me. I flew to Liverpool from Ireland West, and took a train to Manchester. I almost booked Glasgow (and I’m glad that I didn’t) because it was the day of the big storm, and the concert was cancelled, as were the flights.
Anyway, off I went to Manchester, I braved my fear of flying, and was really pleased with how well I did. I had lots of things that I wanted to do in Manchester, and I’ll write about those in another blog post. I stayed in the Premier Inn, and lo and behold the band and crew were staying there too. I’m such an idiot though, I arrived at the hotel and saw a group of people waiting. I asked if they were there for the concert, they replied yes, we are the band and crew! I was mortified, in my defence I can’t see clearly without my glasses. I had a little chat with them, as we were waiting for our rooms, and I was delighted to bump into Bob and Dennis later that day, and get a photo with them, (thanks to Annie for taking the photo), the big fangirl head on me!
The hotel was a 16 minute walk from the concert, and I was a bit worried about walking on my own in the dark (and I didn’t know where I was going), so when I got into the lift there was a man wearing a Magnum T-shirt, and I asked if I could walk with him. So, thank you to David from Glasgow – and that’s the thing about the Magnum fans, they are all so friendly and supportive. My lovely friend Clare, who I wouldn’t have met without the band, sent me a message to tell me where she was in the crowd, and the other fans let me in to stand with her. There were some tall people in front of me, and they told me to go ahead of them as they could still see over my head, such kindness.
The lights went down and a mysterious figure took to the stage, and spoke the opening words of ‘How Far Jerusalem’. I was instantly transported back in time to the Hammersmith Odeon in the 1980s. It’s funny how music can just take you to another place, another time, and what seems like a lifetime ago. The years may go, but the feelings stay the same.
The collective voices of the Magnum family joined in with every single song. Voices were high, hands were in the air, tears flowed, and the roof was raised with the cheers of the crowd. It was, without doubt, the most incredible concert that I have ever been to.
The fans filled the room with torch light for Les Morts Dansant, in memory of the late great Tony Clarkin, one of the most underrated songwriters in the world.
Brendon Riley, Tony’s former guitar technician, had huge shoes to fill, as he took over the lead guitar for the concert. He did an incredible job, as did the rest of the band, in what must have been such an emotional night for them all. Bob has the same stage presence as he’s always had – he isn’t ready for a rockin’ chair just yet.
I didn’t take many photos, and I only took a couple of short videos, because I wanted to enjoy as much of the concert as I could, without thinking about capturing it all. I’ll have the memories in my head and my heart forever.
Thank you Magnum; the band, the crew, the fans, for an incredible experience, one that I will never forget.
Magnumlady Blog 