Any Triumph or Rik Emmett fans?

[RockinJim]

Just curious, I've always felt Rik was an incredible guitar player and very versatile. Certainly not metal but it works for me.

[eakinj]

Just curious, I've always felt Rik was an incredible guitar player and very versatile. Certainly not metal but it works for me.

Yes! Never Surrender is still one of my go albums. Ordinary Man from Allied Forces is still one of my favorite songs. That and Writing on the wall from NS. I also have Sport og Kings on cd, more pop but pretty good. Triumph was the first rock band (Well them and Journey) that made me want to listen to rock instead of my parents honky tonk music. In fact I remember begging my dad to take me to the Cow Palace in SF to see Journey and Triumph live (I think that was 1980 and i was all of 9 or 10)

now I have Fight the good fight running through my head.

[Dreamland_Rebel]

Triumph Rules!

[DonP]

Good band.

He'd be the only reason I'd want to get one of those Yamaha SG things.

[RockinJim]

Excellent! I have been a huge Triumph fan since 1982 or so when they were rockin on MTV and one of the most played artists at the time. For me, Allied Forces is clearly the best record from start to finish with Thunder 7 ranked 2nd. I thought they all had something to offer though. Lyrically and musically very solid band. Rik to me is a guitar hero, loved his classical pieces. Midsummer Daydream was very popular in the 80s.

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT.

[RockinJim]

Good band.

He'd be the only reason I'd want to get one of those Yamaha SG things.

Agree, he was a major Yamaha endorser for years. He is now endorsed by Gibson though. He still uses a couple Yamaha guitars, primarily accoustic I think. I know all of his Yam guitars were custom made USA guitars. Dean also reissued the Rik Emmett Flying V, you can see it featured with a video at the Dean site.

[Evol]

Rik is one of the most versatile guitar players around. From country to classical, to jazz and hard rock, the dude has talent. PLUS he can sing his balls off! Comes across as a bit egotistical though...

[RockinJim]

Rik is one of the most versatile guitar players around. From country to classical, to jazz and hard rock, the dude has talent. PLUS he can sing his balls off! Comes across as a bit egotistical though...

I met him one time for a few minutes and he seemed reasonably nice. I think toward his fans, he's a genuinely appreciatitve guy and gracious in person, unlike some players. I don't think he has much respect for critics who were generally unfavorable towards Triumph their whole career. He's probably one of those guys that knows he's on a high level and won't stand to be criticized by people that have little or no musical ability. Plus he's also big on theory and as we all know even some great players have limited knowlege of theory. I know he's made some remarks about guys who 'just play fast'. I believe once I read he made those comments in reference to Malmsteen - who actually opened for Triumph on their last major tour.

[Tricky]

I seen them 7 times back in the day, They had a killer live show.

Most people seem to remember them for Allied Forces, Never Surrender, Thunder Seven, and maybe "Lay it on the line" and "Hold On" off of Just a Game.

If you haven't heard the (Rock and Roll Machine) album check it out.
"Blinding Light Show", "Street fighter", and the title track are excellent. Actually the whole album is great. Classic rock with some Metal, Blues, Jazz, and Classical influences.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbogLtt9UrM

Also the (Progressions of Power) album is definitely worth a listen.
"I Live for the Weekend"
"Nature's Child"
"Tear the Roof Off"
"I Can Survive"

[BRADSTANG]

hey, what about, WHEN THE LIGHTS GO DOWN, one of my fav's. that was my first concert ever with foghat opening for them. that started the madness.

[daisp]

Rik Rawks! great player..

[RockinJim]

hey, what about, WHEN THE LIGHTS GO DOWN, one of my fav's. that was my first concert ever with foghat opening for them. that started the madness.

Agree, When the Lights Go Down is one of my favorite tracks, kicks ass. Also love Spellbound, Follow Your Heart and Stranger in a Strange Land from Thunder 7.

Others - Say Goodbye, Fool For Your Love and Ordinary Man off Allied Forces are all great and vastly underrated tunes. That album to me is a classic, one of the best 80s hard rock albums I've heard.

Closet classics for me include - Hard Road off Progressions of Power where Rik is shredding the solo, someone already mentioned Street Fighter and Blinding Light Show. How about Moving On from Just a Game? Lots of good tunes!

[Alvin_Wilson]

I am a huge fan! I never miss seeing him when he comes to Atlanta.

[Newc]

All I've got is Classics. I like the song Rik sings on, but the drummer sings some hokey shit

"I Live For The Weekend" - wow. Thanks for sharing

Lay It On The Line, Fight The Good Fight, etc etc. Those kick ass. That drivel the drummer wrote/sang was fucking horrid.

When I was in school, there were Rush fans, and there were Triumph fans. You were either one or the other, and no one admitted to liking both bands (like Canada could only have one good power trio or some shit). Fights would break out over who was better. It was sad, really.

[RockinJim]

Interesting, Rush is one of my favorite bands. Love them both. Regarding Gil Moore, he had his moments but it wasn't until Rik and Gil started writing together that his tunes took on more polish. Spellbound, Follow, When the Lights Go Down, Allied Forces are all great hard rockin tunes. It's a little unique to have two lead singers, especially two that sounded so different. That probably hurt the bands marketability to a certain extent. But you can't keep turning out Magic Power, they did what they could to put out good music over a fairly long career. Some of it wasn't that good but that's true with every band.