Tony Clarkin obit

Magnum's Tony Clarkin dies aged 77

The band have issued a statement from his daughter Dionne 

He was not on the list.

Magnum guitarist, songwriter and founding member Tony Clarkin has sadly died aged 77, his family have confirmed.

A statement issued to Magnum’s social media channels reads: ‘On behalf of the family it is with profound sadness that daughter Dionne is sharing the news of the passing of Tony Clarkin.

‘Following a short illness, he died peacefully surrounded by his girls on Sunday 7th January 2024.’

Dionne said: “I know that Tony has touched so many people through his music in so many different ways. 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.”

Tony Clarkin's passing comes just three days before Magnum are due to release their 23rd studio album ‘Here Comes the Rain.'

In December, Magnum cancelled their planned 2024 UK tour after Tony was diagnosed with a rare spinal condition.

“I have developed a rare spinal condition," Tony said at the time. "It’s not life-limiting, but it can be degenerative in some people, and sadly it’s not curable. There are treatments that may help but we don’t know how good they’ll be.”

Tony Clarkin formed Magnum in Birmingham in 1972 alongside vocalist Bob Catley. The pair remained constant members of the Magnum – aside from the band’s six-year split from 1995 to 2001 – and they appeared on all 23 of their studio albums.

Following Magnum’s demise in 1995, Clarkin and Catley formed the melodic rock band Hard Rain and they released two studio albums, 1997’s ‘Hard Rain’ and 1999’s ‘When the Good Times Come.

RIP to the great Tony Clarkin.