Bob Catley

Robert Adrian Catley (born 11 September 1947) is an English singer. He is the lead singer of the hard rock band Magnum, sings for Avantasia, Hard Rain, and is also active as a solo artist. He has also collaborated multiple times with Gary Hughes, the lead singer and songwriter for fellow British melodic rock band TEN, who wrote some of Catley's solo albums. Catley was born in Aldershot but raised in Birmingham, England. He attended Central Grammar School for Boys (Birmingham) and began an apprenticeship at the GPO before pursuing music after meeting like-minded musicians at college. While studying, he joined several local bands, including The Smokestacks, and later The Capitol Systems, who became Paradox after a brief Mercury Records deal. Paradox toured Europe before disbanding in 1970. Formed in 1972, Magnum would define much of Catley’s career. Despite line-up changes, his partnership with guitarist/songwriter Tony Clarkin anchored the band’s sound. Magnum started as the house band at Birmingham’s Rum Runner before developing their signature melodic rock. Early success came with Chase the Dragon (1982), featuring future live staples “Soldier of the Line,” “Sacred Hour,” and “The Spirit.” Their breakthrough On a Storyteller’s Night (1985) led to a run of high-profile releases: Vigilante (1986, produced by Roger Taylor), Wings of Heaven (1988, UK Top 5), and Goodnight L.A. (1990, UK Top 10). After a farewell tour, Magnum initially disbanded in 1995. Catley and Clarkin the…