The Canadian power trio Triumph stands out as a visionary, uniquely influential entity among their musical brethren. Virtuoso musicianship, soaring melodies and exceptional songs with a positive perspective and outstanding live shows made vocalist/guitarist Rik Emmett, bass guitarist/keyboardist Mike Levine and vocalist/drummer Gil Moore destined for stardom. They defined and epitomized arena rock in the 70’s and 80’s. Between the band’s 16 albums and DVDs, Triumph has received 25 Gold and Platinum Awards in Canada and the United States, a testament to their endless touring, and loyal fans.
Individually, Emmett, Levine and Moore received countless accolades for their instrumental abilities. Their creative prowess manifested itself in other outlets as well. Levine co-produced some of the band’s early work. Emmett became a cartoonist for Hit Parader magazine. Moore designed Triumph’s phenomenal live show, which consistently evolved over the years and always utilized state-of-the-art lighting and laser and pyrotechnic effects. Triumph received the influential Performance Magazine’s “Innovators of the Year” award in 1981 for the unique way they changed the arena rock landscape.
Triumph formed in Toronto, Ontario, in 1975 after a chance meeting led Emmett, Levine and Moore to embark on a marathon jam session. They immediately decided to form a band and the debut ‘Triumph’ was released in 1976 on Attic Records. Triumph’s gift for delicate, intricate pieces and blistering raveups was evident on this first album. “Blinding Light Show” features mellow acoustic passages but was a prophetic song title considering the senses-stunning concerts the band was soon to perfect. “Street Fighter” is a full-bore rocker.
The second album, ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Machine,’ followed in 1977. The title track is a standout due in large part to Emmett’s light-speed guitar solo. Also included are a cover of Joe Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Way” and the two-part “New York City Streets” and the adventurous epic medley “The City.” Metalworks Studios was launched by the band that year to ensure a dedicated, creative workspace. Over time it became Canada’s most celebrated studio, garnering nearly 200 gold and platinum awards and winning the ‘Recording Studio of the Year’ Award from the Canadian Music Week Conference an unprecedented 17 times.
Triumph’s initial popularity developed unusually. Both ‘Triumph’ and ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Machine’ were first released only in Canada and garnered significant airplay in Texas. The “Lone Star State” has always been a prime U.S. market for hard rock and fans responded so favourably that Triumph specifically undertook a Texas tour to promote ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Machine.’
RCA Records signed Triumph on the strength of the positive buzz generated and the band’s steadily increasing fan base, and in 1978 released a compilation of the first two albums titled ‘Rock ‘N’ Machine.’ In 1979, the album ‘Just A Game’ was hot on the Billboard charts. It generated the band’s first Billboard Top 40 hit singles, “Hold On” & “Lay It On the Line.” ‘Just A Game’ really solidified Triumph’s relationship with rock radio.
Next up was 1980’s ‘Progressions of Power’ and its single “I Can Survive.” The sizzling anthem “I Live for the Weekend” was a big hit in the United Kingdom and a Friday-at-5:00 staple in the United States.
1981 saw Triumph explode into the mainstream with ‘Allied Forces.’ This album became a critical and commercial smash. Its standout song, “Magic Power,” was a hit single and “Fight the Good Fight” was another fan favourite. Both songs are still staples on rock radio.
‘Never Surrender’ followed in 1983. It was during the ‘Never Surrender’ tour that Triumph took part in the US Festival, the largest ever outdoor concert in California. The band was a cornerstone of what became popularly known as the festival’s “Heavy Metal Sunday” on May 29, 1983. An estimated crowd of 500,000 people rocked along to Triumph as well as Van Halen, Scorpions, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, & Motley Crue.
That year, Triumph and RCA parted ways and the band signed with Irving Azoff at MCA Records. ‘Thunder Seven’ — appropriately titled since it was the band’s seventh album — was released in 1984. Triumph co-produced ‘Thunder Seven’ with legendary producer and engineer Eddie Kramer, famed for his work with Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. This album became another platinum seller and “Follow Your Heart” was the most popular single. “Spellbound” was another highlight.
After a decade together as one of the most popular live acts of the time, the long overdue double live album ‘Stages’ was issued in 1985. The songs were recorded on tours between 1981 and 1985.
1986’s ‘The Sport of Kings’ marked a career high point when the infectious “Somebody’s Out There” became a major hit single. “Just One Night” was a Top 10 smash on MTV’s video chart. The muscular “Tears in the Rain” also thrilled the Triumph faithful. ‘The Sport of Kings’ was produced by Mike Clink, who followed this project with Guns ‘N Roses’ ‘Appetite for Destruction’ due in part to his work with Triumph.
‘Surveillance’ hit the streets in 1987. With this album, Triumph broadened its studio approach by adding guest guitarist Steve Morse (formerly of the Dixie Dregs and a member of Kansas at the time), who duelled with Emmett on ‘Headed for Nowhere’.
The best-of album ‘Classics’ was released in 1989 and is still a big seller 30 years later, as it contains most of the fan faves. This original lineup, spanning nine studio albums, lasted until 1989 when Emmett left the band to pursue a solo career. He was replaced by Phil X, with whom Triumph recorded one album titled ‘Edge of Excess’, and which remains their last studio recording to date. Before going on indefinite hiatus in 1993, Triumph was inducted into the Toronto Music Hall of Fame by radio station Q107. After his time with Triumph, Phil went on to join Bon Jovi, replacing Richie Sambora.
In 2003, a live DVD and CD package titled ‘Live at the US Festival’ chronicled the band’s blistering performance in San Bernadino, California in 1983. This historic festival, which attracted nearly 500,000 rock fans, was the largest festival ever held in the state and rivals Woodstock as the largest festival audience in US concert history.
‘A Night of Triumph Live’, filmed in 1987 during ‘The Sport of Kings’ tour was released in 2004. A comprehensive Triumph anthology, ‘Livin’ For The Weekend: Anthology’ was released in 2005. A CD of extended versions of some of the band’s biggest hits called ‘Extended Versions: Triumph’ was released in 2006.
In 2007 Rik reunited with Mike and Gil as Triumph, and the group was inducted into the Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame at the Canadian Music Week Conference in Toronto.
In the spring of 2008, Triumph was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the Juno Awards in Calgary by Tom Cochrane.
That same year, Triumph returned to live performing and headlined at two large festivals; ‘Sweden Rock’ in Solvesborg Sweden, and ‘Rocklahoma’ in Pryor, Oklahoma, to huge appreciative crowds. This was a great reunion for their friends and families, as well as the band.
In 2011 Triumph donated their music and business archives to the University of Toronto Libraries, for future generations of music students to explore.
In July of that year, ‘Triumph Lane’, a street in their home base of Mississauga, was officially dedicated in honour of the band, with salutations from Mayor Hazel McCallion and Chief of Police Michael Metcalf. Triumph was piped through the street at the ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Peel Regional Police Pipe Band.
On August 28, 201,2 a CD+DVD package of their June 7, 2008 reunion concert in Sweden titled ‘Live At Sweden Rock Festival’ was released.
In 2013, Triumph was inducted into ‘Legends Row’ at the inaugural ceremony held at Mississauga City Hall, and Rik and Gil (Mississauga residents) were inducted into the ‘Mississauga Music Walk of Fame’ in Memorial Park in Port Credit as well.
In 2016, Rik Emmett released the album RES9, which included the song “Grand Parade,” on which Gil Moore played drums and Mike Levine played bass. The song is a ballad reminiscent of “Suitcase Blues” and even includes the line “Me, I’m hanging out with Johnny Walker once again.”
In 2019, Triumph was honoured with the Legends of Live Award at the 2019 Live Music Industry Awards at Canadian Music Week.
The fall of 2020 will see the release of the Banger Films feature documentary on Triumph which is currently in production in Toronto. The tentative title is ‘Lay It on the Line’. As part of the documentary, Banger is staging a FanFest at the request of Triumph fans from around the world. This will take place at the mothership, Metalworks Studios in the fall of 2019.
Nearly 40 years after bursting onto the scene one thing is crystal clear: Triumph’s legacy lives on.
