This particular evening, they were profiling a Canadian band who was making noise – literally – in the States. I remember committing the names of the three members to memory – Gil Moore, because it sounded like Gilmour who was a professional hockey player; Rik Emmett, as in Rik with no “c”; and Mike Levine, who always seemed to be sporting a hockey jersey on stage.
They were performing “Spellbound”.
That was my introduction to Triumph.
I would go on to have a lot of memories of that band as I got more and more into music.
A few days ago I watched a documentary called “Time Machine: Triumph”, and it not only brought back memories but filled in some blanks too.
Mirror finish
My first actual exposure to Triumph was at the midway during Whoop-Up Days in Lethbridge. I always loved the midway games, especially the basketball shooting. The prizes were really good, but you had to make a bunch of shots to get to them. As you made more shots, you earned more prizes, starting out with really cheesey stuff. One of the first ones I won, was a mirror, about six inches by six inches, with the “Triumph” logo stenciled on the mirror.
My first actual exposure to Triumph was at the midway during Whoop-Up Days in Lethbridge. I always loved the midway games, especially the basketball shooting. The prizes were really good, but you had to make a bunch of shots to get to them. As you made more shots, you earned more prizes, starting out with really cheesey stuff. One of the first ones I won, was a mirror, about six inches by six inches, with the “Triumph” logo stenciled on the mirror.
At that point, and that likely would been 1982 or 1983, I hadn’t heard a single Triumph song.
That would soon change.
“The Sport of Kings”
The first song I consciously remember hearing on the radio was “Somebody’s Out There” in 1986. It showcased Rik Emmett’s guitar and vocal skills, and is just a great song. Surprisingly, it did better in the United States than Canada. “Somebody’s Out There” went all the way to number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number nine on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart. In Canada, it peaked at number 84. I could not believe that, give how often I heard it on television and radio.
The first song I consciously remember hearing on the radio was “Somebody’s Out There” in 1986. It showcased Rik Emmett’s guitar and vocal skills, and is just a great song. Surprisingly, it did better in the United States than Canada. “Somebody’s Out There” went all the way to number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number nine on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart. In Canada, it peaked at number 84. I could not believe that, give how often I heard it on television and radio.
The next song I heard is my favourite Triumph song. It's also one of my favourite ballads. “Just One Night” is a stirring song, that I considered using in a play I wrote about my high school experience. In my first year of university, in the Fall of 1987, the guy who lived across the hall in res had “Just One Night” on a tape. I recorded it off that tape and listened until I pretty much wore the tape out.
The song library
Over time, I learned more about early Triumph songs. I was aided by radio stations such as CJOC 94.1 The Lounge from Lethbridge, which played a lot of classic Canadian rock.
Over time, I learned more about early Triumph songs. I was aided by radio stations such as CJOC 94.1 The Lounge from Lethbridge, which played a lot of classic Canadian rock.
“Rocky Mountain Way”, released in 1978, was their first charting single, peaking at number 64. “Hold On” followed in 1979, peaking at number 33 in Canada, and number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Lay It On The Line” also came out in 1979, and is one of the best known songs from the band. I find it surprising it peaked at number 72 in Canada, and number 86 on the Billboard Hot 100. “I Can Survive”, which came out in 1980, peaked at number 85 in Canada and number 91 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1981, Triumph released “Fight the Good Fight”, which peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart, and “Magic Power”, which peaked at number 14 in Canada, number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number eight on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart. In 1982, “Say Goodbye” went to number 36 in Canada, number 102 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 50 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
Triumph had three songs chart on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, but not at all in Canada or on the Billboard Hot 100. “All the Way” went all the way, all pun intended, to number two; “Never Surrender” peaked at number 23; and “A World of Fantasy” went to number three.
In 1984, “Spellbound” peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, but charted nowhere else. “Follow Your Heart”, another hit on classic rock radio, followed in 1985, not even charting in Canada, but peaking at number 13 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and number 88 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Triumph put out one last album with Rik Emmett in 1987, called “Surveillance”, but I don’t recall any of the songs from it.
History lesson
“Time Machine: Triumph” filled in a lot of blanks for me. It taught me a lot about a group I really didn’t know at all, beyond memorizing the names of the band. The documentary drew on a lot of vintage footage, including some from MuchMusic and “The New Music Magazine”.
“Time Machine: Triumph” filled in a lot of blanks for me. It taught me a lot about a group I really didn’t know at all, beyond memorizing the names of the band. The documentary drew on a lot of vintage footage, including some from MuchMusic and “The New Music Magazine”.
There were some interesting things about their history that, living in the three-channel universe, I never knew. A lot of that old footage is of J.D. Roberts introducing them. He was a deejay and veejay who went on to become a major nightly news personality in the States as “John Roberts”. He is currently working for Fox News.
Heavy metal band
Triumph played the US Festival in 1983 on heavy metal day. One of the guys in the documentary said they were the opposite of the Motley Crues and Scorpions of the time. He called it the time of the Dirt Bag bands. Triumph went out and just played in t-shirt and jeans, and were consummately Canadian. So much so, they were the only ones to ask organizer Steve Wozniak to introduce them. That concert also put them on the map in the States. That was one of the other things I learned. Triumph may not have had a lot of chart breakers, but they were an incredibly popular and successful live band. Their concerts sold out, and they toured extensively.
Triumph played the US Festival in 1983 on heavy metal day. One of the guys in the documentary said they were the opposite of the Motley Crues and Scorpions of the time. He called it the time of the Dirt Bag bands. Triumph went out and just played in t-shirt and jeans, and were consummately Canadian. So much so, they were the only ones to ask organizer Steve Wozniak to introduce them. That concert also put them on the map in the States. That was one of the other things I learned. Triumph may not have had a lot of chart breakers, but they were an incredibly popular and successful live band. Their concerts sold out, and they toured extensively.
Not as it seems
My true entry to Triumph was “The Sport of Kings” album with “Somebody’s Out There” and “Just One Night”. “Time Machine: Triumph” said the band brought in a new producer, Ron Nevison, who had chart success. It turns out that album was actually the band’s undoing, as he pitted band members against each other. I thought it cool Emmett sang “Somebody’s Out There” and Moore sang “Just One Night”, but it was the result of manipulation and gamesmanship by Nevison. That’s sad.
My true entry to Triumph was “The Sport of Kings” album with “Somebody’s Out There” and “Just One Night”. “Time Machine: Triumph” said the band brought in a new producer, Ron Nevison, who had chart success. It turns out that album was actually the band’s undoing, as he pitted band members against each other. I thought it cool Emmett sang “Somebody’s Out There” and Moore sang “Just One Night”, but it was the result of manipulation and gamesmanship by Nevison. That’s sad.
It ultimately led to Emmett leaving the band after the “Surveillance” album, in 1988.
Going solo
In “Time Machine: Triumph”, Emmett said he had other projects to pursue. One of them was touring as a solo guitarist. I recall being at a meeting and, while waiting for it to start, one of the people had been to a concert of three guitar players at the historic Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod, including Rik Emmett.
In “Time Machine: Triumph”, Emmett said he had other projects to pursue. One of them was touring as a solo guitarist. I recall being at a meeting and, while waiting for it to start, one of the people had been to a concert of three guitar players at the historic Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod, including Rik Emmett.
“That guy can play,” she said, adding she had never heard of him before.
Documetary memories
What made “Time Machine: Triumph” such a good documentary was it not only profiled the history of the band, but explored the impact Triumph had on its fans.
What made “Time Machine: Triumph” such a good documentary was it not only profiled the history of the band, but explored the impact Triumph had on its fans.
One overriding theme was the music had a positive hopeful message, and fans latched on to that message in their everyday lives.
One man, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, played “Fight the Good Fight” through his treatment. He messaged Rik Emmett about that, and Emmett responded. He told the fan about his own brother Russell who had died of cancer. There was also a woman who was contemplating suicide, but played “Hold On” and it got her through.
At one point, as he heard these stories, Gil Moore welled up with tears.
Emmett also shared what got the band on the path of reconciliation. His brother was dying of cancer, and he asked Rik to make up with Levine and Moore as a dying wish.
To repay the fans for their loyalty, Emmett, Levine and Moore decided to get back together and perform for them. As “Time Machine: Triumph” progresses, we see them rehearsing, and beginning to gell.
They didn’t actually tell the fans they were going to play. Instead, they specially invited fans to a museum with a massive Triumph display, promising to have “a show” at the end of the event. The fans were lead to believe it was going to be a video tribute, so when the curtain rises they are all expecting a big screen.
Instead, it is Triumph, and they begin to play. The fans go crazy. It is an incredible moment.
Parting thoughts
My cousin Carl is a musician and a big fan of Canadian music. He actually played with and has met some of the personalities I just listened to and watched growing up. Immediately after “Time Machine: Triumph” finished, I texted him.
My cousin Carl is a musician and a big fan of Canadian music. He actually played with and has met some of the personalities I just listened to and watched growing up. Immediately after “Time Machine: Triumph” finished, I texted him.
He had already seen it, and said it was amazing. Carl has been listening to Triumph for decades. He knows, and appreciates, their music.
I may have come to them later on, but one thing I have discovered – they chose the right band name. Triumph implies victory and overcoming the odds. When I heard all those people talking about how Triumph’s music had helped them through dark times, it just drove home the point.
Triumph isn’t just a band name, it is a philosophy infused throughout their music.
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