My favorite band !!!! Met Rik a few times.... One of the greatest guitarist and one of the best vocalists ever !!! Not to mention probably the greatest live show !!!!
Thanks for your videos Pete, a pleasure to watch and an eye opener too. For me these open up a family tree of Rock & Roll education. Very informative and as you say, everyone is entitled to their own opinion regarding album ratings. Keep up the good work. Well done 😀👍👍
There will always be a soft spot in my heart for Triumph. Unbelievable riffs, stellar vocals, excellent musicianship. One of those bands who you wish had stuck around longer, but are grateful for what they gave us. Thank you for the post! Also, you saw them on February 19, 1982. I never got a chance to see them back then, one of my Rock Regrets! Cheers!
I saw them on that tour 5 days later in South Bend IN. It was my first concert on my own with a friend. I remember catching a towel in the chest from the lead singer of Saxon after he had wiped his face with it. There was a cute girl sitting behind me that was sad she didn't get it. I immediately gave it to her cuz I didn't want the thing! Great show tho for sure. Cheers back.
Sorry to be off topic but does someone know of a tool to log back into an Instagram account..? I was stupid lost my account password. I would appreciate any help you can offer me
@Bodhi Zev I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site thru google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. I see it takes quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.
Triumph's first record and rock n roll machine were Canadian releases with the album covers you ahowed. Their first US release was rock n roll machine that combined the best of those two records with the concert photograph you talked about. There were songs on the Canadian releases not on the US rock n roll machine, like Little Texas Shaker. Love your work. Thanks for the joy your videos bring me.
As a proud Gen-Xer who was in on the ground floor of MTV, just getting into rock when I was 10 years old, I decided Triumph was going to be MY band. Yeah, I liked REO Speedwagon, AC/DC, and Ted Nugent, but then, that was what all the other kids liked, too. When I first saw Triumph's concert videos on MTV in 1981, I saw something to me that was uniquely cool. They had an electric sign behind them that lit up the words "TRIUMPH" and every time they went into a guitar solo, those lights would flash, and a lead singer with a cool voice and could wield an axe and shred skulls like a real-life VIKING, which is what Rik Emmett seemed like to me, who could also be gentle and poetic all the same. They were in heavy rotation on MTV at the time with songs from both "Just A Game" and "Allied Forces", and I remember for Christmas 1981, asking for my parents to get me one of my first rock albums--"Just A Game", which had only been out for a year or two at the time, but the coolest thing to me was that it had a REAL BOARD GAME inside the sleeve, that you could play. Unfortunately, I was too young and naïve at the time not to know that it was designed so that nobody would win, so I guess looking back, I'm not too disappointed that I couldn't get my sisters to play the Triumph game with me. But I look back with fond memories of Triumph as the band that introduced me to how cool rock could be
Allied Forces is #1, I can never get tired of. When I was younger Progressions was near the top but Thunder Seven has moved up on the list. 'Time Goes By' and 'Killing Time' (those dual vocals) are underrated, killer tunes.
Another criminally underrated power trio rock band from Canada is "The Tea Party" who have been around since the early 1990's. If you haven't heard of them, CHECK THEM OUT!! You will not regret it!
One of my favs. I saw them at the Harrah Arena in Dayton, OH. Magic Power was #1 at the time and instead of playing it live, they piped it in seconds after they left the stage. I still can't believe they did that!
Don’t forget Mahogany Rush!! Love that you represent Canada the way you do, being a proud Canadian myself. Appreciate it. Rick Emmett, an amazing player and singer
Thanks, Pete! Triumph was one of the best live bands for pyrotechnics, lasers, & lights combo. Rik is in my top 3 all time greats in the rare category of great lead singer/lead guitarist combos. I have the same order, so nothing to add! I was at the same shows at Nassau (Never Surrender Tour) and Brendan Byrne (Thunder Seven). I scalped 7th row floor seats ($13.50) at the arena for $25!
Ok. No better way to spend my Coronavirus Quarantine Day here. A Rush shirt and a Triumph Ranking. 1) Allied 2)Progressions 3) RNR Machine 4) Thunder Seven 5) Just A Game and whatever from that point on. Also Headed For Nowhere one of the best guitar solos ever. Stay home, stay healthy.
Triumph was my favorite band through most of the 80s. First heard them my senior year of high school when Allied Forces came out. Saw them on the Never Surrender tour. I have their second album on silver vinyl.
Love this. Somehow I missed Triumph and never listened to the band. Came across Progressions of Power at a store recently and I’m hooked. Will definitely will be picking the rest of their discography up.
Nice to see your Triumph albums in order. Just a Game was the first album I bought by Triumph. On FM radio, they used to advertise this album. Then I heard "Lay it on the Line" and bought it at Tower Records. Here are my top 4: 4. Thunder Seven 3. Never Surrender 2. Allied Forces 1. Just a Game
Positive happy band. I never get tired of looking at their concert videos. Absolutely superb live band. I wish I had seen them live. They are coming out with a documentary this year and it should be really great
Love TRIUMPH/. The 2 different vocalists for me was TREMENDOUS. Love their Usual suspect/ hits that even a novice probably would know / but a hidden gem to me anyway was SPELLBOUND! Always put me in pumped mood. Saw 91 concerts. BUT/ unfortunately. Never saw TRIUMPH. Thx again PETE
One of the biggest underrated bands in history. Same goes for Rik Emmett as a guitarist. Just incredible. Progressions Of Power was always my favorite. Was my first album from them when I was 12. Still listen to it a lot today. Thanks for giving Triumph some love.
There is a reoccurring theme in a lot of Triumphs music. They had such a positive vibe and message. I guess the name Triumph suit them to a tee. Cheers and stay strong everyone.
. . I remember buying Just A Game when it came out in 79, my introduction to Triumph. In the late 80's they toured with another Canadian musician Rick Santers. He took a break from his own band SANTERS to tour with them. Santers is another 3 piece band from Toronto with a few great albums that will blow you away, you should check them out. . .
Great ranking...totally agree with your picks. I saw them live at the Metro Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. At the end of the show, they asked everyone in the arena to come down to the floor so they could film some music videos. I think the entire Halifax concert was released on video years later.
The band from my home town of Mississauga,Ontario as well as PhilX that i've known since the 80's lots of memories with these guys. Thanks for this one Pete .Blasting Triumph in the car is just like high school again. Stay safe.
My top five are 5 Just a game 4 Allied Forces, 3 Thunder 7, 2 Surveillance and 1Never Surrender. The first a album I bought from this band is Surveillance which is why it placed so high. I loved that album so much that I bought all the other ones!
Thanks for doing a great band. My list. 10. Edge of Excess 9. Surveillance 8. Sport of Kings 7. Progressions of Power 6. Triumph 5. Rock and Roll Machine 4. Never Surrender 3. Allied Forces 2. Thunder Seven 1. Just a Game
1. Allied Forces 2. Thunder Seven 3. Just a Game 4. Never Surrender 5. Surveillance 6. Rock & Roll Machine 7. Triumph 8. Sport of Kings 9. Progressions of Power 10. Edge of Excess
Greatest guitar solo in rock would have to be "Lay It On The Line". Something about it just hits hard when I hear it and has been one of the most moving solos I've ever heard.
Absolutely love Triumph. I always hated the comparison to Rush. As you mentioned completely different bands musically. My ranking was almost identical until the end. I give the nod to Just A Game. I love, love, love Young Enough To Cry. Power Blues at it's best. I love the little instrumentals as well. Especially from the Never Surrender albums.
Great listing Pete!! Triumph is such an underrated band. I'd have to agree Allied Forces one of their best. I do love their debut though as well. Listened to it alot in high school. Blinded Light is such an epic tune!!
Love Triumph, saw them on Sport of Kings tour in 1986 at the Meadowlands, Yngwie Malmsteins Rising Force was the opener. Fantastic show. Rik Emmet is a great guitarist.
I bought the Allied Forces LP in 82 based solely on the album cover... I had never heard of them but I thought with that cover they must be good! I was right!
Thunder Seven, produced by Eddie Kramer, will always be my favourite Triumph album by quite a large margin. Emmett’s finest playing, especially on Time Goes By, Stranger In A Strange Land, and the blues instrumental Little Boy Blues. All killer, no filler. Amazing album.
Very different bands even though folks compared them all the time. I'm glad triumph stuck to their sound, they could have easily gone done the heavy prog path like RUSH but then would have been accused of imitation. Triumph's catalogue holds up on its own.
I saw the allied forces tour ... Happily Triumph was on a tour circuit that played Erie PA so I saw them a few times at the Erie County Fieldhouse. I also saw Saxon I think it was with Krocus and Cheap Trick headlining. Those were the days ... middle to late 70’s/80’s. I saw Heart on the Little Queen tour and met them. Lot’s of great grade school / high school memories from that place! Thanks Pete ! Hope all is ok with your family .. you’ve been in my prayers all week
I was really into this band when they came out, the radio said they had a stage show like Kiss so I went and got the US version of RnR Machine and was hooked instantly and seeing that live was even better Brownsville Station opened and lucked out as I bought my ticket at the door and got like second row because I went alone but things changed for me on the next tour Just a Game was a hell of an album but I was already getting into the NWOBHM and Saxon opened and it was for their D&L album and they stole the show the Triumph fans didn't know what hit them and I just picked up the next Triumph album and that was it, I was too much into this new movement but seen the band went on to be big so good for them.
Triumph were so good live, The King Biscuit Flower Hour CD is killer. Saw them several times at Brendan Byrne. Always mixed light and shade to their songs, Allied Forces is in my top 50 favorite albums.
Thanks for the post. My ranking would be the same depending on the day. One of my biggest regrets is never seeing triumph live. I Was in high school in 86-87 but missed out on those last tours. Great band
My number one is Allied Forces, just listened to them in July for the final time, I am trimming down my large vinyl library I went from over 2K down to 1K, and now I have to trim down even more.
I can hardly believe the number of comments her as Triumph was never huge in the USA and barely made a dent in Europe. Nice to see some recognition for Rik, Gil, and Mike.
Saw Triumph three times, and had the privilege of meeting Rik Emmett a few times. One of my all time favorites in the 80's. 1 Allied Forces 2 Never Surrender 3 Just a Game 4 Thunder Seven 5 Progession of Power 6 Rock n Roll Machine 7 Triumph " " 8 Edge of Excess 9 Surveillance 10 Sport Of Kings P.s I bet Poppoff slams Triumph! Lol
I don't know all the records, but the real sweet spot for me is 1) Never Surrender, 2) Allied Forces, 3) Progressions of Power ... ironically I did own Edge of Excess (it was one of those Columbia house records I basically got for nothing). Child of the City is a pretty good track off of that, though it doesn't necessarily sound like Triumph.
I remember kerang mag dissed thunder seven back when it came out - rick emmet wrote to them and tore them a new one lol - discussing all the hard work hed put into it - brilliant
Verygood video Pete. In your opening statement about their albums I fully agree with you. I personally believe all anyone would ever really need out of all their albums is Their Greatest hits album. Rick Emmit was indeed a really great guitarist in my opinion. But I just never really got into them. Rush will always remain one of my all time most favorite groups ever. Not many groups in history could even come close to the pure Greatness of RUSH!🙂 \m/
1. Surveillance 2. The Sport of Kings 3. Thunder Seven 4. Never Surrender 5. Allied Forces 6. Just A Game 7. Edge of Excess 8. Rock & Roll Machine 9. Progressions of Power 10. In the Beginning Probably not a typical ranking but I just went through their albums so this could change
9. Rock and Roll Machine 8. In the Beginning 7. Surveillance 6. Progressions of Power 5. Just a Game 4. Never Surrender 3. The Sport of Kings 2. Allied Forces 1. Thunder Seven (Edge of Excess doesn't count as far as I'm concerned). :)
10-Edge Of Excess 9-Surveillance 8-Sport Of Kings 7-Triumph 6-Rock & Roll Machine 5-Progressions Of Power 4-Never Surrender 3-Just A Game 2-Thunder Seven 1-Allied Forces
Excellent. I love Triumph and they are my favorite Canadian band. Superior vocals and I like Rik guitars as well. Their run of albums from debut to Never Surrender are fantastic. I have the mirror vinyl of RnR Machine. So cool looking.
Besides Rush & Triumph, there was also Canadian country rock trio The Stampeders ("Sweet City Woman" 1971 fame which I saw in concert at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Canada back in October 2017). Also a meet & greet in which the drummer (Kim Berly) shook my hand hard as a rock!!!
Oh hell yeah !!! Right there as my #2 fave Canadian band as well (Voivod a very close 3rd hint hint Pete !!!) . Had tickets in 8th grade to see them (w/UFO) on the Progressions tour and pissed my mother off before the show and she grounded me from going.... I still resent mom for that !!! 😂. Got to see Rik do a solo (duo actually) gig in Philly back in 2012 that was absolutely awesome, especially since I got to meet him after the gig and he was just an amazing guy to talk to ! Just a Game was my introduction to them as well Pete, hence why it’s my #1 ! My rankings would be: 1 Just a Game 2 Allied Forces 3 Never Surrender 4 Thunder Seven 5 Progressions of Power 6 Rock and Roll Machine 7 Sport of Kings 8 Triumph 9 Surveillance Don’t own the Phil x album.
Spring of 1982, in art class our project was to paint an album cover. I did Escape, my buddy did Allied Forces. I was like, who are they? On the walk home, WQFM in Milwaukee played Say Goodbye. I've been a fan ever since. So yeah, it's always going to be Allied Forces for me.
Thanks a lot for this, Pete. Allied Forces, of course, it’s top of the list. But I’m glad many fans regard Just A Game as one of the best. Totally agree with you for the top three. Triumph still rules.
My ranking- 1. Allied Forces 2. Just A Game 3. Rock and Roll Machine 4. Thunder Seven 5. Progressions of Power 6. Never Surrender 7. Triumph 8. Surveillance 9. The Sport Of Kings 10. Edge Of Excess
10. Sport of Kings 9. Surveillance 8. Edge of Excess 7. Triumph 6. Just a Game 5. Never Surrender 4. Thunder 7 3. Progressions of Power 2. Rock n Roll Machine 1. Allied Forces
