Magnum founder dies days before album release

BBC Radio 2's Johnnie Walker with Magnum's Bob Catley (left) and Tony Clarkin (right)

Tony Clarkin, the founder of hard rock band Magnum, has died aged 77.

The Birmingham-born musician served as the band's songwriter and guitarist for more than 50 years.

Magnum, who are due to release their 23rd studio album this week, recently cancelled an upcoming tour and revealed Clarkin had been diagnosed with a rare spinal condition.

Daughter Dionne released a statement on behalf of family members saying he died peacefully on Sunday following the short illness.

She said it was a privilege to call him dad and revealed he had died surrounded by loved ones.

“I know that Tony has touched so many people through his music in so many different ways," the statement read.

"I don’t really have words to express what he meant to me right now as the grief is too fresh."

Ms Clarkin added her family intended to establish a charitable trust to reflect her father's love of animals.

"Please do not send flowers or cards as he would have much preferred expressions of sympathy to go to charity in this way," she added.

New album

Clarkin's death came just a week after Magnum released new song The Seventh Darkness.

It was taken from the upcoming studio album Here Comes The Rain, which is due for release on Friday.

"The recordings were great fun, especially the moment when Chris’s sax took the lead and my guitar responded," Clarkin said in a press release announcing the single.

The prolific band have released 22 studio albums over their five decades.

Among them is 1988's Wings Of Heaven, which sold more than 60,000 copies and reached number five on the UK album charts.

The cancelled tour had been due to visit KK's Steelmill in Wolverhampton.