I became aware of Triumph at the late 80's and was an instant fan after hearing Just A Game. I just wish I'd been able to catch them live - the '83 US festival show is incredible. 🙂👍
Rik Emmett is probably one of the most underrated guitarists/ vocalist of all time . The first song I heard from the was Lay It On The Line and had gotten my first Triumph album after
Why are they not on The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Unrated band. It takes years I know but still. Sad really...I've seen Triumph so many times. I actually quite surprised. Thank you for your interview.
I'm not a metal head but I have always loved Triumph - saw them twice in Louisville KY - I've been more into the Americana sound - I grew up around Rodeo and I work with racehorses for a living - Im not the prototypical Triumph fan - here's the thing - as a guitar player who sings , Rik's influence on me is more profound than I would have ever realized unless these interviews hadn't taken place - I haven't really even thought about them to the degree of a measured chronological time period I experienced - and it's prolonged effects - I very much appreciate these interviews - People use the term "underrated" way too much - I believe Rik Emmett is by far the most underrated singer/guitar player of this era - Dude was amazing in concert - His virtuosity should be recognized and heralded for it's extreme aptitude - Thank you JB and your staff - PS Your better half is smokin hot dude Just sayin 😎
I met Rik down at the chorus building a few yrs back. Super nice guy and how small of a world it is that his daughter taught my daughter grade 9 English. Always thought about asking if she could of got her dad to sign my guitar but I didn't want to impose
Rik was the song writer in Triumph, he may have been strident with the artistic direction of his songs but he also gave Gil and Mike equal songwriting credit for the music he wrote.
When Rik spoke about his older brother and his challenges it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was in the exact situation with my older brother. The word "slow" to describe him and having to fight the bullies. Omg!! My brother passed during on the onset of Covid. He didn't partake in the indulgences that Rik's brother did. He had an episode of cardic arrest. Very sad time. I have Rik's new book but have had a chance to read it but will soon.
Love your channel - thanks for all you do. Was lucky enough to meet Rik after an acoustic gig in Abbotsford BC- around 1997- he was very kind. Glad that he and Gil / Mike have patched things up. The documentary they did was AWESOME.
That's some powerful experiences. Rik Emmett has had a amazing and multi faceted life. What a amazing story and life. This is definitely a book to get. So many full reactions and experiences up , down and everything in between. What an amazing person.
Thanks for the interview amd I can relate to much of what Rick shares about hi s brothers challenges with alcohol and cigarettes , something that was commonplace back in th 70's for many young people. I was also in a few bands for a short time in my teens but it was always personalities that pulled things apart in the band.I know from seberal people that Gil could be difficult to deal with.Thanks for the post
I used to love Rik’s articles in guitar player. They were full of advice. “Hey kid, go out there and earn it.” “Are you as good as the guitar you play?” Kinda stuff. Please let him know some of it stuck!
neil peart and geddy lee would discuss geddy's discomfort with certain lyric, and Neil would happily adapt. Rik was upset about the dumbing down, understandably and he gave the others a piece of the royalty on the work he did, so would be upset about liberties taken. but if the vocalist can't "get' the lyric... it's tricky... glad they've gotten past it.
Another great Rik interview. I am about half through the book now. I think it is a fascinating look into how Rik thinks and am loving it. He is very much as he presents himself in his interviews and songs. As a young boy I thought of him a little more as an image of a "rock star" but that was "the game" that he wrote a song about and talks about a lot in his book. I have long since appreciated him more for his thoughtful lyrics and gift of making great melodies, not to mention his nice voice and stellar guitar chops!
What a great interview. Rik is such a nice guy and what a guitar player. I didn't discover them until after the Jam in CA with Apple and all that.. The CA jam.. I had heard one of their songs, but it was an odd song they did and at the time I thought it sounded too classical if you can believe that, but I was really young.. Anyway, what a great singer and great guitarists. He's the whole package! Tim
I remember Gil stopped the show in the 80s to rant like a little girl because someone threw one of those light thingies on stage. Everyone was booing him yet he continued to blame security, it was kinda funny really. What a tool!
I knew it was coming when he quit... I saw the Sport of Kings tour and it looked like RIk REALLY didn't want to be there... And the entire thing of having Rick Santers on stage as a touring musician.... I was pissed... That was NOT Triumph... And each album after Allied Forces was a steady downward trend... Like I said, I knew it was coming...
Rik was Triumph. Great guitarist Played several styles. Mike Levine was not even an average bassist and Gil was not too exciting a drummer and his songs were just boring. Recent interviews with Mike he just ignores what Rik brought to the table. Rik carried those 2 guys but there seems to be definitely some hostility from Mike. Gil seems to realize that Rik was the band
I totally disagree. Gil was an incredibly accomplished and dynamic drummer. This is a 3-person group, and they generated a huge sound. Just watch the US festival and notice how Gil Moore was practically swimming on that kit - huge fills, creative time signatures, and powerful articulated rhythms. And Mike played really solid grooves, and also quite accomplished. He provided a massive foundation to all those songs.
Rock You Down SUCKS! It's the worst single tune they ever released, particularly it's juvenile lyrics. Even 17-year-old me thought it was the stupidest thing I ever heard [and I've listened to a lot of Kiss, lol]. I always hated that song. If I was Rik I would have left too. The only thing as bad as Rock You Down is the Edge Of Excess album, also shit.
Quite certain I'll get some "poo-poos" on my comment, but this was supposed to be a clip on why Rik left Triumph. Although it was brushed on, I'd like to emphasize "brushed" because it was maybe a minute worth of that. Then it went Rik's experiences with life and Triumph; to me, that's an entirely separate post. Bummed out by the lack of detail regarding what led up to the incident that led to him leaving and any other details relevant to his departure. That's why I clicked on this clip.
Triumph apparently had a contract that the first guy who left would get 1 / 9th of the Band and the two re_mainers would split the rest 4 /9ths and 4 /9ths. leaving Triumph was a expensive hit. That is all the road equipment and even Metal Works. Rik leaving showed how much the Band made him sound heavy, it sounds derogatory but is just a over the top amusing critique, his solo stuff sounds like what a Church Picnic would have had as the "metal" band. Too wholesome to be Rock n Roll. It was a good album but not Triumph Quality. Can you ask him why they never blended the vocals, it sounds like two bands, He and Gil rarely if ever sang together like say the Eagles or the Beatles or played off each other and shared a song like Cream or Pink Floyd.
Might have been just a personal choice, as to why they never shared vocals on a song. I remember Rik saying in 1984 that they sounded like two different bands due to the differences in writing styles between him and Gil, but then they started writing more together around Thunder Seven, to be more a band rather than individuals.
Rick is great. Amazing guitar player. The hang up I have is Triumph seemed very not rock n roll lifestyle. The fans want to hear about the debauchery. Rock groups are supposed to be rebellious and indulgent. Great music but a little stale on the band party front.
No we don't. Who cares. Someone gets drunk, or stoned big deal. So cliche, and boring. I'd rather hear Rik's personal stories about his family, and such...
