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US Festival performance of "Fight the Good Fight" is incredible. Ric is like Geddy, not only vocal-wise but musicianship wise. He's one of the most underrated guitarists ever imo.
Triumph was a great band, another great Canadian band was April Wine they were one of my favorite bands at that time and they never sold out to the man. Great job keep them coming, Thanks. :)
3 awesome bands. Here in The States, Rush, of course, are the most well known. You have to be into rock pretty deeply here to know of April Wine and Triumph. Of course, that doesn't make either band any less great, just more of a hidden treasure, or hidden treasures.
I was introduced to TRIUMPH when I heard their excellent cover of "Rocky Mountain Way", and was hooked. Allied Forces is one of my all-time favorite albums, and Rik Emmet is just simply awesome. Thanks Professor for giving Rik and TRIUMPH the respect they so greatly deserve and sharing this interview!
Another great Canadian band. I am a huge Rush fan but also like a lot of Triumph. Rik Emmett's playing is a joy to listen to. Funny how the Canadian bands are big on integrity. Rush and Triumph seemed to want to communicate a message through the music that could enlighten or comfort the listener. That's what I always got from their music.
Triumph is absolutely the most underrated rock band ever to record a song. I didn't truly discover them until recently. But as I'm listening to their catalog, I'm like "I know this song! And this one! And this one!" Over my youth I heard these songs in passing but they never got the serious air time, but they should have. My favorite thing about them is how they like to wright about positive and uplifting things. Magic Power, Fight the Good Fight, Follow Your Heart, and on and on.
I had the honour to work with Rik a couple times as a live sound tech many years ago . His integrity as a musician and as a person is forever etched in time !!!!!!
In my opinion, 'Time Goes By' is the showpiece featured onTRIUMPH's 'Thunder Seven' (1984). 'Time Goes By' is a brilliant song. 1984 was a great year for rock music lovers: VAN HALEN's '1984'; SCORPIONS' 'Love At First Sting'; JUDAS PRIEST's 'Defenders Of The Faith'; IRON MAUDEN's 'Powerslave'; KISS' 'Animalize'; DIO's 'The Last In Line'; HELIX's 'Walkin' The Razor's Edge'; QUEENSRŸCHE's 'The Warning'; RATT's 'Out Of The Cellar'; EUROPE's 'Wings Of Tomorrow'; METALLICA's 'Ride The Lightning'; W.A.S.P.'s self-titled debut; 'DEEP PURPLE's 'Perfect Strangers'; et cetera.
I was privileged enough to actually sit down with Rik years ago at a private gig we had arranged. We also got to play an acoustic version of Magic Power on stage with him, Dave Dunlap and Steve Skingley. Rik was a perfect gentleman and very gracious with his time. Additionally, I had written a song for the occasion and Rik was gracious enough to let me play it on stage for him as well as the audience. Lifetime dreams come true! Thanks for covering this fantastic band.
That was a highlight to me too. I love hearing about rock stars inter acting and talking with each other back then. You never got to hear these stories back then because of the competition between the bands.
Such a criminally underrated band. They deserve to be right up there with the greatest rock band ever. Everyone of them proficient at their craft. And Rik? What a truly amazing singer and equally great guitarist.
He talks about hitting a high "E" in a discussion with Steve Perry, but good God live at the US festival in '83 during "Good Fight" he flawlessly nails a G. Simply incredible, and such a nice guy.
Triumph does a song that I absolutely love to this day. It's Fight the good fight. Absolutely love that song. I also have been told by many people that Triumph was actually the best act at US Festival back in 83. I wouldn't be surprised by that at all.
I haved loved Triumph for such a long time and being a kid of the 70`s and 80`s i felt i had the very best choices of bands to love. I never really unstood why more people didn't love them. Great singer and guitarist is a great start to an amazing band. Still love them to this day. Loved seeing how Emmitt showed his creation process.
Triumph created a LOT of great music, phenomenal stuff from just 3 guys. Rik Emmett could sing, really sing well, played guitar like a demon, and even drew cartoons for a rock 'zine! Nothing he can't do! Loved Triumph, can't believe they didn't get more recognition.
one of my guitar heroes, equally proficient in ROCK, CLASSICAL & JAZZ Rik Emmett's music got me thru some very dark times in my life & I will forever be grateful to him, Gil & Mike thank you guys, the ROCK & ROLL MACHINE!
Rik is absolutely brilliant. I could sit and talk to him for hours about anything. "Nothing in my pockets and nothing up my sleeve. I keep my magic in my heart". Rik is a legend.
Triumph is so underrated it's criminal. Three great musicians writing great songs with elaborate arrangements and yet they are rarely mentioned in the same breath as other great bands of that era. Rik Emmet is as good a guitarist as any that is considered great and still has a great voice. Excellent interview with a great musician!
As a Canadian kid in the 70/80s, this was a favourite band. fight the good fight is still one of my favourite all time tunes. Their Concert is still one of the best in my memory bank. Great episode. Thank-you.
I was front row seeing Triumph in 1979 in Lethbridge, Alberta. As a 14 year old kid, the stage spectacle, the lights, the flash pots, the extremely loud music and of course Rik's double-neck dexterity blew my mind. One of the highlights of my musical memory! I was wearing a TRIUMPH motorcycles t-shirt (like Gil Moore used to wear) - and being up front, Rik saw it and shot me a smile while pointing directly at me. Sent chills up my young spine!
@@cozmicpfunk Thanks. It really was remarkable. They used to put on an incredible stage show. The music was the focus of course, but it wasn't "just" a rock concert. It was a light and sound spectacular! Just like they described in their song "The Blinding Light Show".
@@geraldhartley That is so cool, my first concert ever was Rush in Austin Tx 78 for the Hemispheres tour, I was 13, my brother took me and I was so astounded- sounds like a very similar experience- thank you for sharing that!
@@cozmicpfunk Aww... The Hemispheres tour. You lucky dog! I'm sure that was unforgettable!! I still have my red-vinyl pressing of the Hemispheres album, but I didn't actually get to see Rush live until 1986. Thankfully I got to see them a few times before the end. Good memories!
I loved how Rik and Gil traded lead vocals on the songs on their records. On their Thunder Seven record they went a step further and both sang lead on some of the same songs. Love this band!
"Thunder Seven" is one of my favorite albums. The whole album has a lush, heavy metal, Led Zeppelin kind of feel. "Follow Your Heart", off that same album, really hits home.
I agree that Thunder Seven is probably their best album. However, "Fight the Good Fight", "Lay it on the Line", "Just a Game", "Blinding Light Show" are better than anything on Thunder Seven. But none of the albums with these aforementioned songs were as deep in very good tunes.
Mine too! Loved its theme of Time on the second side…I can’t decide on my favorite track! I guess “Stranger in a Strange Land” has always especially resonated with me.
I saw them in concert on that tour and they had an amazing laser show. Had a face going along with Time Time Time opening. Their live show was fantastic.
Triumph and Rik Emmet seem to get overlooked in the history of hard rock. Solid musicianship, huge anthemic songs and just an overall killer band. Rik actually lives nearby to me in just a regular upper middle class home and is just a down to earth regular family guy, no “rock star” ego, just a decent human being who happened to write, sing and recorded some of the greatest music of the rock genre!
Good friend of mine call me and he had two tickets to Triumph. It was their first concert in Dallas @ SMU. Small hall and they were fantastic. Rik’s voice and his guitar work made a big influence on me. I was 18 now 65yrs. old. I used my Just a Game album for cleaning my weed. Fold it then slid it under my sofa. Mom never found it. Thanks to the 3 of you and still one of my favorites.
Growing up in Canada (Scarberia), highschool in the late 70s early 80s - Triumph was one of those bands you just couldn't escape. My taste at the time was more Clash, Selector, then morphing into the Smiths and Billy Bragg. So I didn't give Triumph the props they deserved until later in life.
Yeah, I was a Whitby boy, and a lot of the bands made the short trip to our area, like Triumph, Rush, Goddo, Streetheart, The Kings, Red Ryder (Tom Cochrane.)
As an Atlantic Canadian, have been exposed to Triumph's music for over 40 years and always loved their music..one memory in particular was in the spring of 2014..was travelling on Vancouver Island and we were driving up the The Malahat mountain outside Victoria..Majic Power came on the radio and it was that perfect combo of music and beautiful scenery coming together as we crossed over the mountain with the late afternoon sun glistening...a memory I will always cherish..one of those special moments that makes you feel so alive..thanks for this interview Adam..Rik is such a nice guy..great songs and awesome classic Canadian rock. 🎸🇨🇦
Love Triumph! Rik Emmet is a unbelievable singer and guitar player! They stole the show at the US festival in '83. Thank you for doing a piece on Triumph.
Triumph "No Surrender" is the only album that I have owned on '8' Track (wore out), cassette (exploded in my car player), vinyl (Dad left in sunlight so yeah, warped), cd, and digital download. Triumph is in my top 3 of all time bands which includes Rush and Boston. Great video Professor.
Triumph was my inspiration as a young drummer/singer ,Rik and my band mate Todd made me elevate and pick up the guitar and I still play today thanks Triumph you made a difference.
Triumph is one of my all-time favorite bands. Many years ago, I went to see Rik perform solo at a bar in Cincinnati called the Blue Note. I got there early with a couple of friends, and we actually got to speak with him for about 10 minutes. He was so "normal" and he didn't have any of the conceited rock star persona that seem to plague many other musicians. He talked to us about our city, and how he enjoyed reworking songs for small venues like that one, and one of my friends talked guitars with him for a few minutes. Later on, he went out and put on one hell of a show. He seemed really relaxed and like he was just out having fun. He can also play the crap out of a 6 or 12 string, and his voice was perfect that night. I'm a big Triumph fan, but I'd go see Rik Emmitt play solo again in a heartbeat.
This is my current favorite episode. Man, I love hearing Rik walk through their recording/thought process. It is being a fly on the wall decades later. Great job, Adam and team.
"Hold On" is still one of my all time favourites. Along with my Triumph collection, I have continued to purchase most, if not all of Rick Emmet's releases. His musicianship and ability to compose and play in different genres is greatly under appreciated. I always enjoyed those little "nugget" tracks on all the Triumph albums, ie. "Fantasy Serenade" and "Suitcase Blues" (a truly hidden gem) from Just a Game, "Petite Etude" from Allied Forces, "Embrujo" from Sport of Kings and the list goes on. Great video giving us a glimpse into Triumph's creative process - the are another Canadian gem for sure.
My favorite guitarist of all time. Not only could he play any style authentically, but he actually taught at Berklee and wrote a monthly music theory article for one of the guitar mags I used to obsess over in the ‘80s.
Triumph and Rush were such a HUGE part of my teen years... I remember upon first getting my guitar that I HAD TO learn how to play "Magic Power" to impress the girls! Rik was such a huge influence on me lyrically and musically... and definitely some of those songs ("Never Surrender" and "Fight The Good Fight") got me thru a lot of the awkwardness of growing up... even as an adult. I kinda wished you covered more stuff from Thunder Seven. That was their first tour I saw them on and my first ever Concert in Kalamazoo, MI
I can't believe no one has mentioned the song "I live for the weekend". A hard rockin' tune that features Gil Moore's vocals. They put out a lot of great music.
Triumph is amazing, under rated, excellent song writers and musicians. Favorite songs... Hold On, Magic Power, Allied Forces, Lay it on the Line, Spellbound. They had this thing... Rik songs and Gil songs. Very different. Both good. Awesome in concert. But I also saw Rik live his first solo tour at the Hollywood Palladium. So good. His solo albums are also excellent.
Triumph is one of my top 5 favorite bands of all time! What an outstanding band with so many beautiful and meaningful songs. I never saw Triumph live, but I was able to see Rik perform one of his studio shows in an intimate setting in my hometown at the time. He was incredibly gracious and even took Q&A from the audience. One person asked about his instrumental song Midsummer's Daydream and Rik took the time to slow it down so the guy could see how he played it. I got to meet him and he signed a CD cover for me. What a great guy, which was also evident in your interview!
Fight the Good Fight was my song to this day to get out of a deep funk from depression, alcoholism, and a few needless deaths of friends. Always imagined how Rik in the recording booth belting out those lyrics coming from his heart to put on tape for us to hear. Those lyrics are burned into my head. Get up soon as you wake, face the day and battle those obstacles that life throws at you. Then there are the good days to listen to Hold On, Rock n Roll Machine, Magic Power….and the rest…Thank You Rick, Gill and Mike for your hard work and talent. …only if I had a chance to see them live. 🎫👍🏻❤️☮️🎼🎸🥁🎹
Without a doubt, Triumph was one of the most underrated and under noticed bands of the era. They had SOOOOOO much talent and chemistry, and Rick’s song writing was impeccable!!
Funny Prof, my relationship with Fight The Good Fight is the same as yours with Never Surrender. That song lifted me so many times. The two tracks share a lot, almost like two movements of the same piece. If anyone ever needs some inspiration to keep going through anything, Fight The Good Fight is equally inspiring.
Was "Fight the Good Fight" inspired by the Hendrix rendition of "All Along the Watchtower". Anyway, when I heard it live when Rik Emmett performed at the Waterfront Festival in Port Credit, I was moved to tears.
Never Surrender is indeed a second movement to Fight the Good Fight. I guess you could string Hold on, Fight the Good Fight and Never Surrender together into some sort of symphonic piece ala Yes if you were inspired to. They all speak to the same thing and are very appropriate songs for a band named Triumph!
When Rik performed "Fight the Good Fight" at the Waterfront Festival on the east Bank of the Credit just below Port Credit arena, it was not an acoustic version. I saw him in 2006. The travesty of it was that there was hardly anyone there. As a Mississauga boy from Clarkson, I was outraged and was thinking "shame on you Mississauga !".
@@Polytrout As someone who worked in the live music biz for a long time, I can't tell you how many times I've thought the same thing in my hometown. The demographics are not what they used to be, I guess. But there's just no support for live music in this town. I hired Rik for a benefit show in 2004, and he played his heart out for a couple hundred people. He's a solid guy.
I'm an old fart from St. Louis MO and I'm grateful that our local rock station K-SHE 95 played the heck out of them. Being a young musician, I had several of their albums and was lucky enough to see this awesome trio perform a couple of times. I was blown away that they sounded even better live! Thanks for the interview.
Oh man! What an episode!! I love power trios and Triumph is sorely underrated. They along with Pat Benetar have earned their spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Triumph is one of those bands that are borderline progressive with tons of melody and catchy hooks. And their songs always had a positive message. Their ‘83 Us Festival performance is awesome. I’m so glad you asked about Never Surrender. That song along with Fight the Good Fight are my two favorite Triumph songs Underrated band? King’s X…DEFINITELY!!
Yes!! King's X is definitely a band that needs no be profiled! A band that rocks with an amazing amount of soul and a sound that was ahead of its time. Their vocal harmonies are second to none. And their performance at Woodstock '94 was legendary! Criminally underrated
One VERY powerful song from them was Ordinary Man. What fantastic lyrics! I loved Canada's 2 best trios, Rush and Triumph! Both bands were great live! Where Rush had Triumph beat was where Rush stated "If we can't recreat the music live with just the 3 of us, there are too many overdubs and we will not do it". So they learned how to play as many instruments as one can play at the same time. But this is about Triumph, so keeping to Rik Emmitts incredible lyrics, you need to include "Ordinary Man" with the rest. Gil Moore wrote the more mindless songs. Great drummer, decent singer but too many sex songs. They never would fit with Rik Emmitts lyrics.
Agreed about Gil's songs. Two different songwriters, two different songs. There are a couple of his that I don't skip over, but if I had to list my favorites, it would be a few before I got to Gils
Great musicianship, great songwriting, great stage show, Triumph had it all. Rik Emmett is one of the reasons I started playing guitar in 1983, and still play every day, to this day. Thanks for bringing attention to them, they deserve it.
For years I thought Journey sang "Magic Power". Later I discovered more of Triumph, and I agree. They should have been MASSIVE! Rik could blow many vocalists out of the water!
I've mistaken another band for Triumph, remember a cheesy 80's movie called "Megaforce"? I thought Triumph sang that song on the soundtrack, but it was a band called 707, In my defense they sounded "Spookily" close to Triumph though, at least I thought so back then lol.
Also one of my favorite Triumph songs. Watched Rick perform this at Maple Leaf gardens in Toronto for the thunder seven tour. He broke a string and continued playing while the technician changed it. He never missed a note. This was likely the most memorable concert moment of my life.
I would just like to throw it out there that Rik in LiotL (14:09) is just one of those things that calms the storm for me. When times get tough and I turn to music, here lately (say, the past 1 of my 5 decades), this is one of my go-to pain soothers. Thank you so much to the trio that is and always has been a Tri-Umph. ❤😍🥰🤗
Thanks for doing one on Triumph! One of the best bands ever! Hold on has to be my all time favorite. How about another great trio who was under appreciated? I love the band Zebra. They are still out there playing and making a living. Thanks for what you are doing!
Thanks for making this video - it was begging to be made! I agree on all points. I came to the Triumph party a bit late, but the band quickly became one of my very favorite music acts. The band’s consistent delivery of excellent musicianship and songwriting aptitude stands almost unparalleled even to this day. It should’ve been much more popular and successful than it was. I’m not much of an album collector anymore, but I have “Thunder Seven” and intend to acquire the band’s other studio albums (except maybe “Edge of Excess”, on which Phil X handled guitar duties after Mr. Emmett’s departure) at some point.
Thank you "Professor of Rock." Your show is SOOOOO WONDERFUL TO LISTEN TOO. It's the first time I have ever seen you, and you are amazing at what you're doing!!!!!Keep it up!!!! You are such a breath of fresh air in this troubled world!!!!!!
What a wonderful interview. Triumph is one of my favorite bands. What an incredible amount of sound they were able to create with only 3 people in the band. Rik Emmet is a nice down to earth incredible rock star and musician. Thanks for sharing this conversation with us.
summer of 79 myself and 3 friends followed them and Toto around the midwest. was a blast. Saw maybe 10 or 12 shows between the 2 bands. Also Blinding Light show my all time fav!
Thank you so much for this video of a band that deserved more recognition during their amazing time together. My favorite song by Triumph, and technically I have so many, but my favorite is Killing Time with both Rik and Gil sharing the lead vocals 😊👍🏻
Sadly, this is a familiar story for so many great Canadian bands. Rik’s a talented, wonderful guy and a local treasure up here in Canada. His “Live at Berklee” album is a great example of his skill and versatility.
I grew up listening to Triumph through my uncles love for them. My favourite song is one of the later ones, Follow Your Heart, which I still love to play today. Then when Rik left the band, I LOVED his first solo album, especially When a Heart Breaks. Such an amazing singer and nice guy. Thanks for spotlighting Canadian groups and singers on your channel. I'm an 80's girl and love letting the songs take me back. In Canada the radio stations used to have a certain percentage of Canadian content, so we all grew up getting to hear a lot of amazing Canadian musicians that I don't think were given much of a chance outside of the country.
Loved Triumph, especially the "Just a Game" album. So many great songs on that album. In addition to "Hold On" and "Lay It On the Line," "American Girls" and "Movin' On" were also excellent. But my favorite song on that album may have been the last cut on the album: "Suitcase Blues." Great song to sing along to when you are feeling bummed out. "Somebody's Out There" was also a fantastic song from "The Sport of Kings." And if you want to hear Rik's mastery of classical guitar technique, check out "Midsummer's Daydream" from "Thunder 7."
Rik Emmet had a monthly column in Guitar Player magazine in the 80's. This is where I learned power chords. His column was always a must read. Rick you ROCK !!!!
That column was called "Back to Basics" and it was so cool to see a mega-talent break things down to their simplest foundations. Rik is so talented and so awesome in so many ways. If you search for it on here, you can find his old training video from the Star Licks series.
Awesome episode Professor! Triumph has always been one of my favorite bands! I too can't understand why they weren't bigger, they sure were huge among me and my group of friends in high school! Awesome interview with Rik! Thanks for sharing!
@@ProfessorofRock As a teenager in Canada in the late 70's/early 80's, Southern Ontario to be precise, Triumph was massive. Even the nearby Buffalo,NY stations played them a lot. I'm always somewhat perplexed when Americans say they were underrated. The sane with another Canadian band if that era, April Wine. I guess I wrongly assumed because they were so huge in Canada and the Buffalo area that they were also big in the rest if the States. Do you think American radio stations have a bias against Canadian bands? If so, in your opinion why not a bias against other non-American bands, like from Britain?
I want to hear the rest of the interview because there is no way you get Mr. Emmett for an interview and not talk for at least 5 hours. The man knows everything about music. He is such a musical genius. 😎rock on brother ✊
Triumph was huge in Texas during the late 70's and early 80's. I've heard that it had to do with a certain show in San Antonio in which they filled in for a band that bailed. Rik was a great singer and guitar player, and in all the videos I've seen of him recently, he still has a great voice. Loved watching him in this video talk about and scat the writing process. Such an underrated band.
Thanks to Joe Anthony people from San Antonio in the 70s and 80s had the most rock music knowledge in the US and probably the world. So many bands played arenas there and clubs everywhere else.
Totally agree that Triumph was underrated. I was a big fan in the day and love all their songs. They were also a fantastic live band. More pyrotechnics than a war zone. Wow!
I love Triumph! My favourite songs are never surrender and lay it on the line. They deliver so much in their performances for a trio, and all fantastic musicians. Rick's voice always gave me chills, just like Steve Perry's did.
My first experience of Triumph was when I was a paperboy! My paper bundle was dropped in front of a former bowling alley that a band was using for a rehearsal space - I remember asking Mike Levine what band is in there, he said "Triumph" and my 12 year old self replied "never heard of them"... he smiled and said "You will".
@@terryomalley1974 I'm thinking '75... it was actually Port Credit (Mississauga) at the corner of Lakeshore and Mississauga Rd. I sat and listened outside because they were playing "Slade Alive" through their P.A. before rehearsing. 😁 The best if times!
Loved the interview with Rik Emmet! Triumph is a most underrated band. Phenomenal catalog. Thank you Professor of Rock! I’d love for you to do more shows with them and their great music !
1.Fanny (1st all-female rock band to release an album on a major label, Reprise Records) 2. Alan Parsons Project; 3. Badfinger; 4. Squeeze; 5. Three Dog Night; 6. Supertramp; 7. Huey Lewis & The News; 8. The Hollies; 9.Triumph; 10. Rockpile.
TRIUMPH is so Underrated. They are Awesome! I got into them in 1984 Thunder Seven! My Favorite album because it was my first! I got trapped from there. Thank You for this interview with Rick!!
I love it when musicians basically scat to describe music passages and rhythms and Rik Emmet doesn't disappoint here. His enthusiasm is so infectious. You can definitely hear that reflected in the band's music. Triumph was definitely underrated. "Hold On," "Magic Power," and "Somebody's Out There" are favorites that always find their way into my playlists. Get on the Triumph train, people!
Hey Professor, I'd love to see you do a spotlight on another underappreciated Canadian band. Namely The Guess Who and their magical year 1970, which saw them rack up five Top20 singles. Their hit single "No Time" was the first record I ever bought.
@Tim Bates YES! The Guess Who was incredibly underrated and still are! They had so many fantastic hits all during the 1970’s. Thank you for reminding me! I’m pulling out their album tonight.
The Guess Who is the best, good one! Based on the bands back then, I think they had a unique sound for the time - especially Humpty's Blues. These Eyes - probably my favorite.
Totally awesome band and great interview! Rick and the band are just awesome. Rick is the type of guy when having a conversation with him its like he's been your friend forever. I really like the instrumentals they did as well. I would like to see you cover Billy Squire. So many hits, so much talent... Totally under rated!!
Thanks for the video. I saw Rik in Annapolis Maryland doing a solo acoustic show a few years ago and he sounded great. Always good to hear some Triumph music and I hope Rik will tour again.
I felt like I was the one kid in my high school who had heard of Triumph in the early-mid 80s - outside of the couple of songs that got radio airplay at the time. But dang, they were one of my favorite bands growing up, I loved Rik Emmett’s guitar virtuosity and his voice. I still have every one of their albums. Terrific band, I highly recommend them.
I think Triumph's fan base is made up of "that one kid" in every high school in the US from that time period. We were the kids that paid attention to what the rock radio was playing and not just who got the biggest hits and most attention from the press. Here's to us!!!
My first ever concert was Oakland’s Day on the Green in 1983 with Triumph on the Never Surrender tour. Triumph was the first band that I really got hooked by and Rik Emmet was my first Guitar God. I always described it that he may not be the best at any one style, but he is the best at being able to play in any style. I loved how he had an instrumental acoustic piece on every album that showcased different styles, from Flamenco to jazz, to classical etc. Plus the inspirational, positive lyrics, great vocals by Rik and Gil and solid drums and bass. They’re still in my top 5 bands of all time. (Triumph, Iron Maiden, Y&T, Tesla and Rush) and I listen to them at least a couple times a week. My favorite songs by them are ones that aren’t radio songs. Blinding Light Show/Moonchild, Rock and Roll Machine, Just A Game, Young Enough to Cry, Suitcase Blues, etc. but my all time favorite is Ordinary Man from Allied Forces.
“Fight the good fight”, and “lay it on the line” are in my perpetual Spotify rotation. They go from a ballad to a rocker with the blink of an eye. I love rock groups that can do that
Triumph has always been a favorite, with stellar songwriting, music and the best vocals ever. Saw them twice then suddenly they stop touring. There version of Rocky Mountain Way was fantastic live. One of the most underrated band ever. I had no idea how deeply Rik was instrumental in making this band what it was. I can see why so much of Triumph music would be almost impossible to recreate on stage because there was always so much going on in so many of their great songs. Great interview, this is one highly intelligent and gifted artist. Definitely apart of the soundtrack to my life
Wow! Professor of Rock! What a great interview! Growing up in Detroit in the mid 70's, near the Canadian border we would hear many of those bands. Triumph was always one of my favorites and I really never understood why they were never bigger than they were! Rick Emerson has one of the greatest voices. I enjoyed this interview, I also loved to hear the aspects of the songwriting. I was quite disappointed though because I was waiting to hear about the song "Fight the good fight". I always have thought those lyrics could have been a poem and I still quote them today. Thank you again for this as I love Triumph and all their music which over the years have brought me many great memories. Thank you for what you do! Kevin
As a maple syrup blooded Canadian boy during Triumph's heyday I've followed my heart to lay it on the line... joined the allied forces using the magic power to hold on and fight the good fight to rock out, roll on! Nice work POR.
Gosh, the greatest band I never saw, and I am Canadian...... Mr. Rik, thank you for sharing your thoughts... I have always admired your virtuosity on guitar and your vocal talent.... rock on, brother!!
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Darn. I thought it was an awesome prescription eyeglass deal!🥺 Theres always next time..🤞
Yikes! I reported it. Hopefully its gone.
Wait.. It's not about my auto warranty being expired?
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US Festival performance of "Fight the Good Fight" is incredible. Ric is like Geddy, not only vocal-wise but musicianship wise. He's one of the most underrated guitarists ever imo.
That he is! That he is.
The US festival performance was one of the best live rock sets of all-time.
Triumph was a great band, another great Canadian band was April Wine they were one of my favorite bands at that time and they never sold out to the man. Great job keep them coming, Thanks. :)
Triumph, April Wine, Rush!!! The Canadian big three.
3 awesome bands. Here in The States, Rush, of course, are the most well known. You have to be into rock pretty deeply here to know of April Wine and Triumph. Of course, that doesn't make either band any less great, just more of a hidden treasure, or hidden treasures.
Rik Emmet is the greatest guitarist that no one has ever heard of.
Midsummer’s daydream and little boy blues my favorites just classics! I love Rik
Says who? Agree with the Grestest part! Rik is phenomenal!!! I mourned when Triumph broke up!!
Sorry
He's awesome very true......not the best..Steve morse...John mcglougjlin...al dimeola...Terry kath...
@@vibefrequencyable to each their own.
@@joecorzine8057 thoroughly agree...I do love Rick though.
I was introduced to TRIUMPH when I heard their excellent cover of "Rocky Mountain Way", and was hooked. Allied Forces is one of my all-time favorite albums, and Rik Emmet is just simply awesome. Thanks Professor for giving Rik and TRIUMPH the respect they so greatly deserve and sharing this interview!
They played Rocky mtn way way back in mid 80s and it was the shit
Another great Canadian band. I am a huge Rush fan but also like a lot of Triumph. Rik Emmett's playing is a joy to listen to. Funny how the Canadian bands are big on integrity. Rush and Triumph seemed to want to communicate a message through the music that could enlighten or comfort the listener. That's what I always got from their music.
Triumph is absolutely the most underrated rock band ever to record a song. I didn't truly discover them until recently. But as I'm listening to their catalog, I'm like "I know this song! And this one! And this one!" Over my youth I heard these songs in passing but they never got the serious air time, but they should have. My favorite thing about them is how they like to wright about positive and uplifting things. Magic Power, Fight the Good Fight, Follow Your Heart, and on and on.
I had the honour to work with Rik a couple times as a live sound tech many years ago . His integrity as a musician and as a person is forever etched in time !!!!!!
Thunder 7 got me through high school and I still listen to it weekly.
"Time goes by" holds a spot in my heart.
I love that song! And great album too!
In my opinion, 'Time Goes By' is the showpiece featured onTRIUMPH's 'Thunder Seven' (1984). 'Time Goes By' is a brilliant song. 1984 was a great year for rock music lovers: VAN HALEN's '1984'; SCORPIONS' 'Love At First Sting'; JUDAS PRIEST's 'Defenders Of The Faith'; IRON MAUDEN's 'Powerslave'; KISS' 'Animalize'; DIO's 'The Last In Line'; HELIX's 'Walkin' The Razor's Edge'; QUEENSRŸCHE's 'The Warning'; RATT's 'Out Of The Cellar'; EUROPE's 'Wings Of Tomorrow'; METALLICA's 'Ride The Lightning'; W.A.S.P.'s self-titled debut; 'DEEP PURPLE's 'Perfect Strangers'; et cetera.
I was privileged enough to actually sit down with Rik years ago at a private gig we had arranged. We also got to play an acoustic version of Magic Power on stage with him, Dave Dunlap and Steve Skingley. Rik was a perfect gentleman and very gracious with his time. Additionally, I had written a song for the occasion and Rik was gracious enough to let me play it on stage for him as well as the audience. Lifetime dreams come true! Thanks for covering this fantastic band.
The story he tells at 20:45 about talking with Steve Perry about hitting high notes made me smile 😃 Awesome story!
That was a highlight to me too. I love hearing about rock stars inter acting and talking with each other back then. You never got to hear these stories back then because of the competition between the bands.
Such a criminally underrated band. They deserve to be right up there with the greatest rock band ever. Everyone of them proficient at their craft. And Rik? What a truly amazing singer and equally great guitarist.
He talks about hitting a high "E" in a discussion with Steve Perry, but good God live at the US festival in '83 during "Good Fight" he flawlessly nails a G. Simply incredible, and such a nice guy.
Triumph does a song that I absolutely love to this day. It's Fight the good fight. Absolutely love that song. I also have been told by many people that Triumph was actually the best act at US Festival back in 83. I wouldn't be surprised by that at all.
Great song! And yes, Triumph smoked all the bands that day!
That's because they were the best and they blew everyone else off the stage at that US Festival in 1983. It's easy to find on RUclips
I haved loved Triumph for such a long time and being a kid of the 70`s and 80`s i felt i had the very best choices of bands to love. I never really unstood why more people didn't love them. Great singer and guitarist is a great start to an amazing band. Still love them to this day. Loved seeing how Emmitt showed his creation process.
Triumph created a LOT of great music, phenomenal stuff from just 3 guys. Rik Emmett could sing, really sing well, played guitar like a demon, and even drew cartoons for a rock 'zine! Nothing he can't do! Loved Triumph, can't believe they didn't get more recognition.
one of my guitar heroes, equally proficient in ROCK, CLASSICAL & JAZZ
Rik Emmett's music got me thru some very dark times in my life & I will forever be grateful to him, Gil & Mike
thank you guys, the ROCK & ROLL MACHINE!
Rik is absolutely brilliant. I could sit and talk to him for hours about anything. "Nothing in my pockets and nothing up my sleeve. I keep my magic in my heart". Rik is a legend.
Triumph is so underrated it's criminal. Three great musicians writing great songs with elaborate arrangements and yet they are rarely mentioned in the same breath as other great bands of that era. Rik Emmet is as good a guitarist as any that is considered great and still has a great voice. Excellent interview with a great musician!
As a Canadian kid in the 70/80s, this was a favourite band. fight the good fight is still one of my favourite all time tunes. Their Concert is still one of the best in my memory bank. Great episode. Thank-you.
I was front row seeing Triumph in 1979 in Lethbridge, Alberta. As a 14 year old kid, the stage spectacle, the lights, the flash pots, the extremely loud music and of course Rik's double-neck dexterity blew my mind. One of the highlights of my musical memory! I was wearing a TRIUMPH motorcycles t-shirt (like Gil Moore used to wear) - and being up front, Rik saw it and shot me a smile while pointing directly at me. Sent chills up my young spine!
Very cool. Thanks for sharing.
That's an amazing story!
@@cozmicpfunk Thanks. It really was remarkable. They used to put on an incredible stage show. The music was the focus of course, but it wasn't "just" a rock concert. It was a light and sound spectacular! Just like they described in their song "The Blinding Light Show".
@@geraldhartley That is so cool, my first concert ever was Rush in Austin Tx 78 for the Hemispheres tour, I was 13, my brother took me and I was so astounded- sounds like a very similar experience- thank you for sharing that!
@@cozmicpfunk Aww... The Hemispheres tour. You lucky dog! I'm sure that was unforgettable!! I still have my red-vinyl pressing of the Hemispheres album, but I didn't actually get to see Rush live until 1986. Thankfully I got to see them a few times before the end. Good memories!
I loved how Rik and Gil traded lead vocals on the songs on their records. On their Thunder Seven record they went a step further and both sang lead on some of the same songs. Love this band!
I think they did a great job with the song "Killing time ". Rik Emmett and Gil Moore singing together as a duet. Seems like an underrated masterpiece.
"Thunder Seven" is one of my favorite albums. The whole album has a lush, heavy metal, Led Zeppelin kind of feel. "Follow Your Heart", off that same album, really hits home.
It is their best.Finally someone agrees with me.Their masterpiece.
I agree that Thunder Seven is probably their best album. However, "Fight the Good Fight", "Lay it on the Line", "Just a Game", "Blinding Light Show" are better than anything on Thunder Seven. But none of the albums with these aforementioned songs were as deep in very good tunes.
@@Polytrout Those are great songs.
Mine too! Loved its theme of Time on the second side…I can’t decide on my favorite track! I guess “Stranger in a Strange Land” has always especially resonated with me.
I saw them in concert on that tour and they had an amazing laser show. Had a face going along with Time Time Time opening. Their live show was fantastic.
Triumph and Rik Emmet seem to get overlooked in the history of hard rock. Solid musicianship, huge anthemic songs and just an overall killer band. Rik actually lives nearby to me in just a regular upper middle class home and is just a down to earth regular family guy, no “rock star” ego, just a decent human being who happened to write, sing and recorded some of the greatest music of the rock genre!
That's how I found him to be. Very down to earth talent.
Rik’s a gem!
Good friend of mine call me and he had two tickets to Triumph. It was their first concert in Dallas @ SMU. Small hall and they were fantastic. Rik’s voice and his guitar work made a big influence on me. I was 18 now 65yrs. old. I used my Just a Game album for cleaning my weed. Fold it then slid it under my sofa. Mom never found it. Thanks to the 3 of you and still one of my favorites.
Growing up in Canada (Scarberia), highschool in the late 70s early 80s - Triumph was one of those bands you just couldn't escape. My taste at the time was more Clash, Selector, then morphing into the Smiths and Billy Bragg. So I didn't give Triumph the props they deserved until later in life.
A fellow Scarberian! I grew up at Pharmacy and Ellesmere.
I love seeing my fav youtubers on my other fav youtuber channels! :)
Yeah, I was a Whitby boy, and a lot of the bands made the short trip to our area, like Triumph, Rush, Goddo, Streetheart, The Kings, Red Ryder (Tom Cochrane.)
@@lotanerve loved goddo, got to see them about 15 years ago in Calgary, forgot how loud they were! Also loved teenage head.
As an Atlantic Canadian, have been exposed to Triumph's music for over 40 years and always loved their music..one memory in particular was in the spring of 2014..was travelling on Vancouver Island and we were driving up the The Malahat mountain outside Victoria..Majic Power came on the radio and it was that perfect combo of music and beautiful scenery coming together as we crossed over the mountain with the late afternoon sun glistening...a memory I will always cherish..one of those special moments that makes you feel so alive..thanks for this interview Adam..Rik is such a nice guy..great songs and awesome classic Canadian rock. 🎸🇨🇦
Love Triumph! Rik Emmet is a unbelievable singer and guitar player! They stole the show at the US festival in '83. Thank you for doing a piece on Triumph.
Triumph "No Surrender" is the only album that I have owned on '8' Track (wore out), cassette (exploded in my car player), vinyl (Dad left in sunlight so yeah, warped), cd, and digital download. Triumph is in my top 3 of all time bands which includes Rush and Boston. Great video Professor.
That's SOOO cool. Thanks for sharing. Back in the day where that one vinyl or 8 track was our ticket to another dimension.
No surrender wasn't available in 8 track. Perhaps u are misrembering allied forces?
@Gerald Anderson
It's Never Surrender.
Triumph was my inspiration as a young drummer/singer ,Rik and my band mate Todd made me elevate and pick up the guitar and I still play today thanks Triumph you made a difference.
Triumph is one of my all-time favorite bands. Many years ago, I went to see Rik perform solo at a bar in Cincinnati called the Blue Note. I got there early with a couple of friends, and we actually got to speak with him for about 10 minutes. He was so "normal" and he didn't have any of the conceited rock star persona that seem to plague many other musicians. He talked to us about our city, and how he enjoyed reworking songs for small venues like that one, and one of my friends talked guitars with him for a few minutes.
Later on, he went out and put on one hell of a show. He seemed really relaxed and like he was just out having fun. He can also play the crap out of a 6 or 12 string, and his voice was perfect that night. I'm a big Triumph fan, but I'd go see Rik Emmitt play solo again in a heartbeat.
This is my current favorite episode. Man, I love hearing Rik walk through their recording/thought process. It is being a fly on the wall decades later.
Great job, Adam and team.
"Hold On" is still one of my all time favourites. Along with my Triumph collection, I have continued to purchase most, if not all of Rick Emmet's releases. His musicianship and ability to compose and play in different genres is greatly under appreciated. I always enjoyed those little "nugget" tracks on all the Triumph albums, ie. "Fantasy Serenade" and "Suitcase Blues" (a truly hidden gem) from Just a Game, "Petite Etude" from Allied Forces, "Embrujo" from Sport of Kings and the list goes on. Great video giving us a glimpse into Triumph's creative process - the are another Canadian gem for sure.
Man, do I have some catching up to do!! 😍❤
Best live performance I ever saw. The sound was perfect and the show was dazzling.
My favorite guitarist of all time. Not only could he play any style authentically, but he actually taught at Berklee and wrote a monthly music theory article for one of the guitar mags I used to obsess over in the ‘80s.
Triumph and Rush were such a HUGE part of my teen years... I remember upon first getting my guitar that I HAD TO learn how to play "Magic Power" to impress the girls! Rik was such a huge influence on me lyrically and musically... and definitely some of those songs ("Never Surrender" and "Fight The Good Fight") got me thru a lot of the awkwardness of growing up... even as an adult. I kinda wished you covered more stuff from Thunder Seven. That was their first tour I saw them on and my first ever Concert in Kalamazoo, MI
I remember every single word of that song "Magic Power" like a bicycle: once you learn it, it has staying power and it is automatic.
Magic Power is possibly my favorite Triumph song, their only song that enjoyed airplay here in Trinidad and Tobago.
I can't believe no one has mentioned the song "I live for the weekend". A hard rockin' tune that features Gil Moore's vocals. They put out a lot of great music.
Saw Triumph in 1985 and still can't believe how good they were. Rik Emmett is a musicians musician 10/10
Triumph is amazing, under rated, excellent song writers and musicians. Favorite songs... Hold On, Magic Power, Allied Forces, Lay it on the Line, Spellbound.
They had this thing... Rik songs and Gil songs. Very different. Both good.
Awesome in concert. But I also saw Rik live his first solo tour at the Hollywood Palladium. So good. His solo albums are also excellent.
Triumph is one of my top 5 favorite bands of all time! What an outstanding band with so many beautiful and meaningful songs. I never saw Triumph live, but I was able to see Rik perform one of his studio shows in an intimate setting in my hometown at the time. He was incredibly gracious and even took Q&A from the audience. One person asked about his instrumental song Midsummer's Daydream and Rik took the time to slow it down so the guy could see how he played it. I got to meet him and he signed a CD cover for me. What a great guy, which was also evident in your interview!
Fight the Good Fight was my song to this day to get out of a deep funk from depression, alcoholism, and a few needless deaths of friends.
Always imagined how Rik in the recording booth belting out those lyrics coming from his heart to put on tape for us to hear. Those lyrics are burned into my head. Get up soon as you wake, face the day and battle those obstacles that life throws at you. Then there are the good days to listen to Hold On, Rock n Roll Machine, Magic Power….and the rest…Thank You Rick, Gill and Mike for your hard work and talent.
…only if I had a chance to see them live. 🎫👍🏻❤️☮️🎼🎸🥁🎹
Without a doubt, Triumph was one of the most underrated and under noticed bands of the era. They had SOOOOOO much talent and chemistry, and Rick’s song writing was impeccable!!
Funny Prof, my relationship with Fight The Good Fight is the same as yours with Never Surrender. That song lifted me so many times. The two tracks share a lot, almost like two movements of the same piece. If anyone ever needs some inspiration to keep going through anything, Fight The Good Fight is equally inspiring.
Was "Fight the Good Fight" inspired by the Hendrix rendition of "All Along the Watchtower". Anyway, when I heard it live when Rik Emmett performed at the Waterfront Festival in Port Credit, I was moved to tears.
@@Polytrout I live not far from Port Credit, and yeah his acoustic version made me misty too. Cheers, neighbour!
Never Surrender is indeed a second movement to Fight the Good Fight. I guess you could string Hold on, Fight the Good Fight and Never Surrender together into some sort of symphonic piece ala Yes if you were inspired to. They all speak to the same thing and are very appropriate songs for a band named Triumph!
When Rik performed "Fight the Good Fight" at the Waterfront Festival on the east Bank of the Credit just below Port Credit arena, it was not an acoustic version. I saw him in 2006. The travesty of it was that there was hardly anyone there. As a Mississauga boy from Clarkson, I was outraged and was thinking "shame on you Mississauga !".
@@Polytrout As someone who worked in the live music biz for a long time, I can't tell you how many times I've thought the same thing in my hometown. The demographics are not what they used to be, I guess. But there's just no support for live music in this town. I hired Rik for a benefit show in 2004, and he played his heart out for a couple hundred people. He's a solid guy.
Whoa! No discussion of "Magic Power"? I hope there's a whole video dedicated to that one.
I'm an old fart from St. Louis MO and I'm grateful that our local rock station K-SHE 95 played the heck out of them. Being a young musician, I had several of their albums and was lucky enough to see this awesome trio perform a couple of times. I was blown away that they sounded even better live! Thanks for the interview.
Triumph is criminally underrated
Oh man! What an episode!! I love power trios and Triumph is sorely underrated. They along with Pat Benetar have earned their spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Triumph is one of those bands that are borderline progressive with tons of melody and catchy hooks. And their songs always had a positive message.
Their ‘83 Us Festival performance is awesome.
I’m so glad you asked about Never Surrender. That song along with Fight the Good Fight are my two favorite Triumph songs
Underrated band? King’s X…DEFINITELY!!
Agreed. Thanks for sharing.
Triumph shouldn’t be in there until after Foreigner and Styx. Benetar definitely should be in. A rock and roll legend.
@@gordonschiff3621 they all should be in there before any rap artist.
Yes!! King's X is definitely a band that needs no be profiled! A band that rocks with an amazing amount of soul and a sound that was ahead of its time. Their vocal harmonies are second to none. And their performance at Woodstock '94 was legendary! Criminally underrated
@@mikemcbride3369 A-friggin’-men!
One VERY powerful song from them was Ordinary Man. What fantastic lyrics! I loved Canada's 2 best trios, Rush and Triumph! Both bands were great live! Where Rush had Triumph beat was where Rush stated "If we can't recreat the music live with just the 3 of us, there are too many overdubs and we will not do it". So they learned how to play as many instruments as one can play at the same time. But this is about Triumph, so keeping to Rik Emmitts incredible lyrics, you need to include "Ordinary Man" with the rest. Gil Moore wrote the more mindless songs. Great drummer, decent singer but too many sex songs. They never would fit with Rik Emmitts lyrics.
Agreed about Gil's songs. Two different songwriters, two different songs. There are a couple of his that I don't skip over, but if I had to list my favorites, it would be a few before I got to Gils
Thanks for covering this greatly underrated band! What a fantastic interview!
Great musicianship, great songwriting, great stage show, Triumph had it all. Rik Emmett is one of the reasons I started playing guitar in 1983, and still play every day, to this day. Thanks for bringing attention to them, they deserve it.
For years I thought Journey sang "Magic Power". Later I discovered more of Triumph, and I agree. They should have been MASSIVE! Rik could blow many vocalists out of the water!
not to mention guitarists!
I've mistaken another band for Triumph, remember a cheesy 80's movie called "Megaforce"? I thought Triumph sang that song on the soundtrack, but it was a band called 707, In my defense they sounded "Spookily" close to Triumph though, at least I thought so back then lol.
"Midsummer's daydream" acoustic is amazing! Loved this band. The hard rock to the instrumentals, to the laser light shows. 🇨🇦👍
ruclips.net/video/_3XdLlLBvm4/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/vh1JcI3lDxE/видео.html
Also one of my favorite Triumph songs. Watched Rick perform this at Maple Leaf gardens in Toronto for the thunder seven tour. He broke a string and continued playing while the technician changed it. He never missed a note. This was likely the most memorable concert moment of my life.
I would just like to throw it out there that Rik in LiotL (14:09) is just one of those things that calms the storm for me. When times get tough and I turn to music, here lately (say, the past 1 of my 5 decades), this is one of my go-to pain soothers. Thank you so much to the trio that is and always has been a Tri-Umph. ❤😍🥰🤗
Thanks for doing one on Triumph! One of the best bands ever! Hold on has to be my all time favorite. How about another great trio who was under appreciated? I love the band Zebra. They are still out there playing and making a living. Thanks for what you are doing!
Thanks for making this video - it was begging to be made! I agree on all points. I came to the Triumph party a bit late, but the band quickly became one of my very favorite music acts. The band’s consistent delivery of excellent musicianship and songwriting aptitude stands almost unparalleled even to this day. It should’ve been much more popular and successful than it was. I’m not much of an album collector anymore, but I have “Thunder Seven” and intend to acquire the band’s other studio albums (except maybe “Edge of Excess”, on which Phil X handled guitar duties after Mr. Emmett’s departure) at some point.
You've done it again Professor. Introduced me to a band I've never heard of and now they're in my collection. Great interview. Thanks.
You're in for a treat.
Thank you "Professor of Rock." Your show is SOOOOO WONDERFUL TO LISTEN TOO. It's the first time I have ever seen you, and you are amazing at what you're doing!!!!!Keep it up!!!! You are such a breath of fresh air in this troubled world!!!!!!
What a wonderful interview. Triumph is one of my favorite bands. What an incredible amount of sound they were able to create with only 3 people in the band. Rik Emmet is a nice down to earth incredible rock star and musician. Thanks for sharing this conversation with us.
Blinding Light Show was one of the best live moments in my concert viewing history. I grew up in San Antonio. Thank you Joe Anthony!
Thank you for introducing me to another group. That's one of the greatest reasons, why I love your channel, sir
summer of 79 myself and 3 friends followed them and Toto around the midwest. was a blast. Saw maybe 10 or 12 shows between the 2 bands. Also Blinding Light show my all time fav!
Thank you so much for this video of a band that deserved more recognition during their amazing time together. My favorite song by Triumph, and technically I have so many, but my favorite is Killing Time with both Rik and Gil sharing the lead vocals 😊👍🏻
Saw them open for Journey at the Rose Bowl concert in 1981, and they were excellent!
Listen to their song “The City”, specifically the “El Duende Agonizante” section, for what’s probably Rik’s most amazing guitar work.
Sadly, this is a familiar story for so many great Canadian bands. Rik’s a talented, wonderful guy and a local treasure up here in Canada. His “Live at Berklee” album is a great example of his skill and versatility.
I grew up listening to Triumph through my uncles love for them. My favourite song is one of the later ones, Follow Your Heart, which I still love to play today. Then when Rik left the band, I LOVED his first solo album, especially When a Heart Breaks. Such an amazing singer and nice guy. Thanks for spotlighting Canadian groups and singers on your channel. I'm an 80's girl and love letting the songs take me back. In Canada the radio stations used to have a certain percentage of Canadian content, so we all grew up getting to hear a lot of amazing Canadian musicians that I don't think were given much of a chance outside of the country.
Loved Triumph, especially the "Just a Game" album. So many great songs on that album. In addition to "Hold On" and "Lay It On the Line," "American Girls" and "Movin' On" were also excellent. But my favorite song on that album may have been the last cut on the album: "Suitcase Blues." Great song to sing along to when you are feeling bummed out. "Somebody's Out There" was also a fantastic song from "The Sport of Kings." And if you want to hear Rik's mastery of classical guitar technique, check out "Midsummer's Daydream" from "Thunder 7."
I saw Triumph live at least 6 times back in the day. What a great show!
This interview should've and could've been 2 hours. Triumph is amazing. Great stuff POR
Triumph is one of my favorite bands of all time. Such amazing rockers and, as a bonus, a lot of positive messaging. Love it.
Rik Emmet had a monthly column in Guitar Player magazine in the 80's. This is where I learned power chords. His column was always a must read. Rick you ROCK !!!!
That column was called "Back to Basics" and it was so cool to see a mega-talent break things down to their simplest foundations. Rik is so talented and so awesome in so many ways. If you search for it on here, you can find his old training video from the Star Licks series.
Rik Emmett has been a guitar hero to me for 40 years and huge influence in my playing.
Beyond underrated and most forgotten Guitarist in Rock History.
Awesome episode Professor! Triumph has always been one of my favorite bands! I too can't understand why they weren't bigger, they sure were huge among me and my group of friends in high school! Awesome interview with Rik! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks!
@@ProfessorofRock As a teenager in Canada in the late 70's/early 80's, Southern Ontario to be precise, Triumph was massive. Even the nearby Buffalo,NY stations played them a lot. I'm always somewhat perplexed when Americans say they were underrated. The sane with another Canadian band if that era, April Wine. I guess I wrongly assumed because they were so huge in Canada and the Buffalo area that they were also big in the rest if the States. Do you think American radio stations have a bias against Canadian bands? If so, in your opinion why not a bias against other non-American bands, like from Britain?
I loved this band every time I heard them on the radio back in the day.
I want to hear the rest of the interview because there is no way you get Mr. Emmett for an interview and not talk for at least 5 hours. The man knows everything about music. He is such a musical genius. 😎rock on brother ✊
I'd love to hear the rest of this interview too!!
Triumph was huge in Texas during the late 70's and early 80's. I've heard that it had to do with a certain show in San Antonio in which they filled in for a band that bailed. Rik was a great singer and guitar player, and in all the videos I've seen of him recently, he still has a great voice. Loved watching him in this video talk about and scat the writing process. Such an underrated band.
Thanks to Joe Anthony people from San Antonio in the 70s and 80s had the most rock music knowledge in the US and probably the world. So many bands played arenas there and clubs everywhere else.
Totally agree that Triumph was underrated. I was a big fan in the day and love all their songs. They were also a fantastic live band. More pyrotechnics than a war zone. Wow!
I love Triumph!
My favourite songs are never surrender and lay it on the line.
They deliver so much in their performances for a trio, and all fantastic musicians. Rick's voice always gave me chills, just like Steve Perry's did.
My first experience of Triumph was when I was a paperboy! My paper bundle was dropped in front of a former bowling alley that a band was using for a rehearsal space - I remember asking Mike Levine what band is in there, he said "Triumph" and my 12 year old self replied "never heard of them"... he smiled and said "You will".
Just curious, what year was that? Was it in Toronto?
@@terryomalley1974 I'm thinking '75... it was actually Port Credit (Mississauga) at the corner of Lakeshore and Mississauga Rd. I sat and listened outside because they were playing "Slade Alive" through their P.A. before rehearsing. 😁 The best if times!
@@mixphantom0101 RIght on!!! I was 11 in 1975 and lived in St. Catharines, Neil Peart's hometown.
Loved the interview with Rik Emmet! Triumph is a most underrated band. Phenomenal catalog.
Thank you Professor of Rock!
I’d love for you to do more shows with them and their great music !
Poll: What are some of you picks for bands/ artists that are severely underrated? Artists that should have been much bigger?
1.Fanny (1st all-female rock band to release an album on a major label, Reprise Records)
2. Alan Parsons Project; 3. Badfinger; 4. Squeeze;
5. Three Dog Night; 6. Supertramp; 7. Huey Lewis & The News;
8. The Hollies; 9.Triumph; 10. Rockpile.
Big Country!
Billy Squier & April Wine
Absolutely for sure Triumph, Grand Funk RR, RUSH, Three Dog Night, Deep Purple, Dokken, Tesla.
Animal Logic
TRIUMPH is so Underrated. They are Awesome! I got into them in 1984 Thunder Seven! My Favorite album because it was my first! I got trapped from there. Thank You for this interview with Rick!!
I love it when musicians basically scat to describe music passages and rhythms and Rik Emmet doesn't disappoint here. His enthusiasm is so infectious. You can definitely hear that reflected in the band's music. Triumph was definitely underrated. "Hold On," "Magic Power," and "Somebody's Out There" are favorites that always find their way into my playlists. Get on the Triumph train, people!
Thank you for mentioning Magic Power. It's the first song that came to my mind.
I feel younger and reunited with the time, all good music ! Thanks for the interview today
Hey Professor, I'd love to see you do a spotlight on another underappreciated Canadian band. Namely The Guess Who and their magical year 1970, which saw them rack up five Top20 singles. Their hit single "No Time" was the first record I ever bought.
@Tim Bates YES! The Guess Who was incredibly underrated and still are! They had so many fantastic hits all during the 1970’s.
Thank you for reminding me!
I’m pulling out their album tonight.
The Guess Who is the best, good one! Based on the bands back then, I think they had a unique sound for the time - especially Humpty's Blues. These Eyes - probably my favorite.
One of my favorites when I was in High school. Still listen to them once in a while. Rik Emmet was so underrated as guitar player and singer.
Totally awesome band and great interview! Rick and the band are just awesome. Rick is the type of guy when having a conversation with him its like he's been your friend forever. I really like the instrumentals they did as well.
I would like to see you cover Billy Squire. So many hits, so much talent... Totally under rated!!
My favorite band and Rik Emmett is the most underrated guitarist. Great show Professor
One of my favorite Triumph songs is the instrumental "Midsummer's Daydream" ...it's amazing!
Thanks for the video. I saw Rik in Annapolis Maryland doing a solo acoustic show a few years ago and he sounded great. Always good to hear some Triumph music and I hope Rik will tour again.
Now I know the secret sauce to those incredible high notes - a testicle clamp. 😆 Great interview, I enjoyed listening to Triumph from the onset.
They are and we're GREAT
Yes! Triumph is getting some love from the Professor! Allied Forces is a perfect album; it is their masterpiece
I felt like I was the one kid in my high school who had heard of Triumph in the early-mid 80s - outside of the couple of songs that got radio airplay at the time. But dang, they were one of my favorite bands growing up, I loved Rik Emmett’s guitar virtuosity and his voice. I still have every one of their albums. Terrific band, I highly recommend them.
I think Triumph's fan base is made up of "that one kid" in every high school in the US from that time period. We were the kids that paid attention to what the rock radio was playing and not just who got the biggest hits and most attention from the press. Here's to us!!!
My first ever concert was Oakland’s Day on the Green in 1983 with Triumph on the Never Surrender tour. Triumph was the first band that I really got hooked by and Rik Emmet was my first Guitar God. I always described it that he may not be the best at any one style, but he is the best at being able to play in any style. I loved how he had an instrumental acoustic piece on every album that showcased different styles, from Flamenco to jazz, to classical etc. Plus the inspirational, positive lyrics, great vocals by Rik and Gil and solid drums and bass. They’re still in my top 5 bands of all time. (Triumph, Iron Maiden, Y&T, Tesla and Rush) and I listen to them at least a couple times a week. My favorite songs by them are ones that aren’t radio songs. Blinding Light Show/Moonchild, Rock and Roll Machine, Just A Game, Young Enough to Cry, Suitcase Blues, etc. but my all time favorite is Ordinary Man from Allied Forces.
I consider myself fortunate to have seen a concert in the 90s with April Wine, Triumph and Kansas. What an amazing show!
“Fight the good fight”, and “lay it on the line” are in my perpetual Spotify rotation. They go from a ballad to a rocker with the blink of an eye. I love rock groups that can do that
Spellbound. That song rocks.
This is one of my favorite bands of all time ! They deserve sooooo much more !
Triumph has always been a favorite, with stellar songwriting, music and the best vocals ever. Saw them twice then suddenly they stop touring. There version of Rocky Mountain Way was fantastic live. One of the most underrated band ever. I had no idea how deeply Rik was instrumental in making this band what it was. I can see why so much of Triumph music would be almost impossible to recreate on stage because there was always so much going on in so many of their great songs. Great interview, this is one highly intelligent and gifted artist. Definitely apart of the soundtrack to my life
..and for the most part, it was three guys on stage playing the music until the Sport of Kings tour where they added guitar support from Rick Santer.
@@Robbie_37 they were great on stage for just 3 guys
@@MyName-pl7zn Yes!!
Wow! Professor of Rock! What a great interview! Growing up in Detroit in the mid 70's, near the Canadian border we would hear many of those bands. Triumph was always one of my favorites and I really never understood why they were never bigger than they were! Rick Emerson has one of the greatest voices. I enjoyed this interview, I also loved to hear the aspects of the songwriting. I was quite disappointed though because I was waiting to hear about the song "Fight the good fight". I always have thought those lyrics could have been a poem and I still quote them today.
Thank you again for this as I love Triumph and all their music which over the years have brought me many great memories. Thank you for what you do! Kevin
As a maple syrup blooded Canadian boy during Triumph's heyday I've followed my heart to lay it on the line... joined the allied forces using the magic power to hold on and fight the good fight to rock out, roll on! Nice work POR.
Thanks for watching DEAN!!!
But you didn't get spellbound?
@@a.b.317 We can only hope As Time Goes By...
Gosh, the greatest band I never saw, and I am Canadian...... Mr. Rik, thank you for sharing your thoughts... I have always admired your virtuosity on guitar and your vocal talent.... rock on, brother!!