Behind The Vinyl: "Hold On" with Rik Emmett from Triumph

We had Rik Emmett, Lead Vocalist for Triumph, come to the boom 97.3 studios to share his story about their song "Hold On" on vinyl! Rik talks about his outfits for shows, how he wrote the first two verses in High School as a poem, how they came up with the flow of the song for each section and more! Watch as Rik goes Behind The Vinyl!
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[@jeddyhi]

This is what an accomplished rock star/musician/songwriter can look like later in life if they treated their career as a job and profession instead of a never ending party involving hardcore drugs. Rik stayed clean and worked. Kudos.

[@iggypopisgod9]

Older, mature rockers have generally already been thru the grinder

[@rubicon-oh9km]

Rik is one of those special talents that can play like a demon, sing like an angel and write amazing songs. Just crazy talented.

[@dwightplock1162]

And he's a class act to listen to also.

[@victimology7761]

And he was a good looking dude, too. Haha some guys get all the luck.

[@keri117]

OMG SO TRUE!!❤

[@davidaloha5084]

His guitar work is overlooked by nearly every “top 100” list I’ve seen. I saw Triumph live in Honolulu (Never Surrender tour) and he actually tripped on stage, rolled backwards, landed on his feet and never missed a lick. Incredible.

[@rubicon-oh9km]

@@davidaloha5084 Which is really ironic because the man could jump on stage with any guitarist alive and hold his own easily.

[@tball5677]

How I miss those days. No worries, no body aches, and great music.

[@bobwells1517]

"I sing this song for the common man"..still can't hear it without getting goosebumps, over 40 years later.

[@flurng]

I love how true artists like Rik downplay the significance of their work - like it's just some little ditty they threw together - when in reality, it's a true MASTERPIECE! Classic & classy!

[@JB-sc6io]

Think Rik has forgotten how much Hold On became an anthem of hope for so many people. So special. So thankful for his words.; his commitment to excellence

[@shawngregory1429]

Met him once. A super-nice guy. You wouldn’t know he was a big star.

[@johnschanzle3593]

What an awesome talent Rik is ! This man is a rock legend

[@fuiplu]

Agreed!!

[@a.nelprober-rl5cf]

Meh

[@jckhammer]

​@@a.nelprober-rl5cftyped from the hands of a non musicians. Your musically challenged so your response is a curate to your musical understanding.

[@SquirrelTheater]

I had the pleasure of meeting Rik at a radio station in Pleasant Prairie, WI in 2004. He played part of this song as well as a part of Midsummer’s Daydream on a Yamaha acoustic five feet away from me in the studio. I’ll never forget it. He’s a rare example of meeting a famous person and that person being as nice and down to earth as you could ever imagine. Rock on, Rik! 👍🏻😎

[@davidarmitage289]

Thanks so much for sharing this… just honoured to hear Rik tell us these stories…..still love Triumph to this day..

[@chuckcecconi4571]

Thank you Rik Emmett, the best performing artist I've ever heard

[@frederiqueb8245]

Entièrement d'accord 😜

[@jeffreybarkin3177]

He sure is EXTREMELY GIFTED and a Canadian Living LEGEND... Amazing Interview! Thank You for sharing!!!

[@jritte1968]

Love Triumph. And Rush. And April Wine. Thank you Canada.

[@hangover71]

Max Webster

[@robertbishop5357]

Absolutely. 3 great bands.

[@flurng]

Agreed! But let's not forget Klaatu, Frank Marino, Max Webster, Coney Hatch, Toronto, Loverboy - The list just goes on & on!...

[@jritte1968]

Forgot my first concert band, Saga. Saw them as a kid in Germany when my father was stationed there with the US Army. Liked a couple of their songs from the early 80’s. Also, for any Great White Northerners on here (beautiful country I must say) how were The Kings regarded up there? I liked The Beat Goes On/Switchen to Glide. Not in the same league for me though as my three above. Just a catchy fun tune.

[@troyottosen8722]

John r,you hit it right on,I seen them in Anchorage Ak in the 80,s right up front,best concert I have ever seen,simple!!!

[@jungzejim5]

He seems very proud.. and OMG he should be.. I love this song.. one of my favorites still...

[@bayousaleglassworksstained2861]

Rik is bursting with charisma-- I had a HUGE smile on my face all the way through this. Thank you, Rik!

[@dankrowpman1201]

I really like listening to Rik telling the story of his song. And enjoy seeing his facial expressions and mannerisms. Thank you Rik for sharing!

[@thomashoffend4299]

The soundtrack of my high school and college days.

[@xxxcozz]

you wer there for all of us and we love you dude, your band kicked ass! thank you for your presence

[@johbb755]

Rik - I first saw you in 1979 at the Ottawa Ex - You changed my life then. "Hold On" in fact, saved my life later on. I saw Triumph several times since /79. Last time was in Ottawa in 2012 ish. I even brought my 1979 ticket to get an autograph, but you had departed before I could.. I have always loved your music - Hold On, it is perfect It doesn't need a change. You are, and always have been about the music of home to me. I thank you for that.

[@tbrenner2374]

What a gentleman and true talent!

[@gbluzy335]

Hands down best all around musician! Such positive songs and a humble guy, sadly underrated, I would love to meet him! Thanks Rik for your magic!

[@FALCON21301]

Triumph is and will always be my favorite band, but the fact that the 3 guys are such class acts and so humble makes me love them that much more!

[@stephencastro1437]

Thanks for all the great music Ric.You were one of my guitar heroes!

[@mhappy4520]

Rik has always been fun to watch. Watching him listen to his own music is, magical. Thank you!

[@lauraroberts6533]

I love Triumph!!1979 was all about them and Bad Company 4 me!!Rik is poet and a Rocker!!So underrated!!🎸🎸🎸💗

[@tevieray123]

one of the greatest songs of all time!!

[@timmyjams]

Rik! If you read these responses I mean this with all the honesty a human can muster. You are simply one of the GREATEST Guitarist to have ever walked through life. I have your records to see me to the end of my time here. As a guitar player myself I learn from you to this day! Thank you for the decades I have celebrated your ability. Triumph Rocks....

[@scottdunn2178]

If Rik was your neighbor, you'd never guess by looking at him that he was who he was.

[@kevindobo7472]

I think he and Dana Carvey are looking more and more like each other as time goes by.

[@dancetenis]

This is so through ,Rick was our neighbor!

[@scottdunn2178]

@@dancetenis Yeah, sad loss. First got into The Cars in 1978 when I was 12.

[@emeraldtiger7135]

@@scottdunn2178 This is not Ric Ocasek, this is Rik Emmett of Triumph and he's very much alive....and he better stay that way.

[@merrillundgren1790]

Maria Morgan really, they were your neighbors? How cool!

[@mistermatsuda]

Rik, I hope you never stop singing. I hear your voice and it takes me back to a good place. I was 14 when I discovered Triumph, I'm 56 now in 2020. I saw your more current performances and it's mind boggling how you've retained that tone and range. Crazy!

[@robertperez4219]

Triumph is truly such an underrated band. They are one of the greatest bands - iconic - and are rock legends. Three piece band, epic songs with so many hits, and Emmit is up there as a guitarist alongside other guitar heroes. I love Triumph and still jam to them to this day.

[@cozyman5173]

Rik Emmett is a total musician's musician, love Triumph!

[@stevelevy2845]

Rik and Geddy have so much in common. Down-to-earth, humble, and freaking unbelievably talented! Love Triumph and Rush, though not necessarily in that order!

[@rickp3753]

CERTAINLY not in that order. :)

[@dirtdiggindawg310]

I've often wondered if they were related ... If not i think they should have been ... And thru thier music maybe they were

[@frederiqueb8245]

Dans cet ordre ça me va très bien 👍🎸🎸🎸

[@PlanktoniusRex]

So awesome to see how humble he is and how open he is with his own view of his past work. Hold On is such a great memory for so many and he sits there and critiques it down to the bone and laughs at some of his older ideas. Rik is such a great guy and you always get the same guy when you see him interviewed. Huge influence in my life growing up.

[@i13tony]

I’m just a little freaked out right now coming across this video…I woke up this morning with Hold On on my brain - I dreamt about it! - and I’ve been singing it and trying to recall the lyrics all morning. I hadn’t heard it, one of my all time favorites from back in high school, in years. And today, it just so happens to show up in my YT recommended feed?? Wow! This song, especially the intro “poem”, brings tears to my eyes now. It really set the stage for the music I would come to find in my life that has brought me copious joy. Thank you for this gift Rik.

[@lewisticknor]

Such a great series and such great production and format...THANK YOU!!!!!

[@ChrisEastwoodComedy]

That was fascinating hearing the breakdown of everything that went into the creation of a classic rock song. I loved listening to Rik narrate the entire process.

[@intercommerce]

Man, it almost hurts being flashed back to those amazing days! Triumph always had their sound set at 'perfect'.....

[@lady_in_blue83]

This smart, humble and funny guy was (and it) my favorite guitarist. I remember how VH1 CLASSICS broadcasted old videoclips performed by TRIUMPH. That amazing double-neck guitar, those wonderful vocals, those uplifting lyrics and that great music... I was hooked! MAGIC POWER and nothing else... At present I learn to play my own electric guitar and write my own poems! Thank you so much, dear Rik! Your musicanship and your talent are marked my creative life. You are one of Rock heroes of my youth! Warmest regards from Russia!

[@fishman-tr9im]

This is fantastic 🤘 Rik is a legend and Triumph was a phenomenal band and one of the best live shows I ever saw... 4 times...

[@paulseano5100]

More and more today, people are recognizing the great music that was almost left behind. Triumph is one of those bands that you just don’t hear on the radio anymore but, thanks to the internet, we have rekindled the fire of the lost hits that really are filled with thought provoking lyrics and music with substance. The memories with these songs are so numerous that they run together. Thanks to Rik, Gil and Mike for their timeless music as we have held on to our dreams because we believe in them. Cheers! Neil Peart University Alumni Association. Ya know???!!!

[@msinthrop]

Still my music hero... Most underrated guitarist in rock music.

[@DonnySwanson-mo1qp]

This song was the reason why I bought Just a Game album!!!! I loved this song so much I think its put together perfectly!!!! It certainly doesn't need any excuses!!! Its one of the BEST SONGS EVER!!!!!!! I saw Triumph live in 1979 at the St Paul Civic Center Theater!!! TKO was the warm-up act than Triumph!!!! Rik used a Cherry Sunburst Framus guitar!!! I looked for one of those for decades and never found one!!!!! Rik is so ho hum about this era. He talks about it like he's some what embarrassed about the writing or the music!!!! I really don't know why its phenomenal!!!!!! I wish he would play with his old band mates I would Love to see Triumph again even just one tour!!!! A plethora of incredible songs!!!!!! He could make a lot of money today!!!!!! I wished I had met him I always wanted his autograph!!!!!! I just loved Triumph and Rik Emmett

[@davidgroves5395]

Rik Emmitt is a total professional a real class act.

[@technoforever888]

[@bowielukas6815]

Triumph !!! ONE of the greatest bands ever which had Acdc as an opener in 1980s tour , both great but Triumph my favourite !!!!

[@DreidMusicalX]

I can see Rik was playing his guitar in his head. Awesome musician! I seen you at the 1983 US Festival. What a time it was back then.

[@79tazman]

Rik Emmett is so bad ass the guy ROCKS!! Triumph was and still is awesome I love these guys they are killer!!

[@danfitzpatrick4112]

Just perfection! Everything about it... Rik is on another level musically... and Triumph was a magically special group that when together in the early days? Well, lets just say I feel fortunate to have lived my teens and 20's when I did in those days 🤘 AWESOME TIMES!

[@rhondamoore9842]

I remember this so well in concert. I saw Triumph twice, and loved every minute of the shows!

[@markravitz1684]

It's so interesting to watch the artist listen to his own recordings

[@carminelombardi9575]

For me Rick Emmet is a legendary guitarist and singer!

[@markflanagan980]

Such a good guitarists and singer. I love his humility, still critiquing a song almost 40 years after he wrote & recorded it. He seems to almost get a chuckle that he was once that spandex clad, long haired, rock star. Now he looks like a college professor!

[@boom973Toronto]

Funny you say that, he does teach now!

[@patford8986]

My favourite song of all time.

[@Steve.Cutler]

Criminally underrated!

[@michelleeggers6871]

We all loved it Rik! Still do!

[@TopJimmyWinn]

Rik you got the magic power

[@fabiolaolivos5494]

You are the best Rik 👍🏼🏆

[@adam872]

What a great track. Live it's great, but there's a certain majesty about the studio version. Rik is a great guitarist and a top bloke.

[@MrAitraining]

Funny cuz I saw Triumph live 3 times and they never played Hold On. And then I saw Rik Solo twice and he played it both times. After hearing how he says Gil wasn't digging this as much, it makes sense lol

[@scotttucker5331]

Such great time's blessed with music that captures your soul. Musicians that gave us sky's of bright blue as we floated on clouds of harmony

[@bombasticbushkin4985]

Rik (from "Rick") went to high school at Bloor Collegiate in Toronto and many of us will remember him from there. Back then he was known for tinkering with his guitar, hanging out with some cute girl, and being a very good athlete. Was a running back in football and played volleyball. Arguably the coolest and most popular guy in the school. My friend and I, saw him when he was starting out at the well known Backstage Club on the Queensway. I think the bands name was something else. Was it Ace 3? Anyway, always a class act, great guy as well as supremely gifted. Thanks for the memories Rik. Well done.

[@johnnydodgecountry9508]

Spent a lotta days n nights listening to that album.

[@iggypopisgod9]

Rik is a treasure....monster respect from Detroit/windsor

[@scottwhite1963]

Amazing how this voice sounds so raspy when he is talking but when he sings it sounds like one of God's Angels singing to him...

[@gene2049]

Amazing I’m just realizing how great a band Triumph was and I love the music. I’m sure I listened to the hits back in my high school days, but I didn’t appreciate their music like I should. Rik is just a super talented guy and humble. I’m buying Triumph CDs now. Crazy !

[@veronaraven3099]

I saw him in Connecticut...he's a very funny fella. I met him after the show and we were talking about guitars n stuff.. very down to earth.

[@suzanne4396]

For my friend, Greg Powers, who adored everything you ever published!! RIP, Greg---

[@ChrisDoyle2112]

Class of 1986, Bishop Chatard HS, this was our class song!

[@brianhintze6440]

Still love so many of their songs. 3 men with class and talent.

[@mikedressel3270]

His songs were motivation and inspirational to me growing up ❤

[@intercommerce]

Good! Thats what it was meant for. Sure beats angry Gangster Rap singing about 'niggersz & bitches!"

[@bytornsnowdog1347]

Great song, great band who made wonderful music! Thanks guys!

[@drewfinisher11]

Triumph was the best hearing them is like going down memory lane could never understand back then and even now why I've never heard their music on the radio rock out roll on is still one of my favorite songs 🎸👍🏻🎶

[@ripcordjr5696]

I started listening to this band early 80's...... once you hear there music you can never forget Triumph. Rock On

[@jimipack62]

Such great insight and background infor. Rik is an amazing singer, guitarist and songwriter. Was ahead of the game back then.

[@mike2565]

Beautiful song! 🙂

[@strattuner]

RIK you got my bros name,emmett,you are a genius,i've wanted to say that for along time,thanks for your work,you are outstanding with all of the crew

[@MKPiatkowski]

Never thought about it having disco in the middle. Learned something new!

[@PMunkS]

A terrific program. Thanks for posting boom 97.3, and thank you Mr. Emmett for a wonderful song.

[@DavidHall-bv5nn]

Rik your music with triumph was just as much of a part of my teenage years as any of the other more commercial bands of the 80's, although you guys kept a much lower profile I want you to know if you happen to read this that your music of that time is definately a huge portion of the soundtrack to my life.. as a guitarist myself I wanna add that the shoes you had to fill in that band required a huge amount of talent and buddy you had it.. TRIUMPH WILL FLOW THROUGH MY BLOOD AND INTO THE AFTERLIFE FOREVER. THANK YOU FOR AYING YOUR ASS OFF AND REMAINING A HUMBLE DEDICATED PLAYER ..GOD BLESS AND KEEP PLAYIN.

[@robbabcock_]

Great album, Triumph was truly underrated!😎🔥🙌

[@rickwheeler5496]

This song is one of, if not my favorite, Triumph song. I love the opening "poem", in fact, I have it printed and hanging in my office/music room at home.

[@joeballs5669]

new music can't touch these guys or their music! I SALUTE YOU TRIUMPH!

[@ronyeahright9536]

I saw Triumph back in the day as a 20 year old, arena concert...and Rik 2 years ago doing his acoustic sets in a very small venue. He's an amazing talent; singer, songwriter, and musician.

[@matthewwilson7404]

RIC Emmett, you said this song was Triumph's 1st hit in the US. It's still my favorite song by you guys, and I like a lot of Triumph's work. Every time I hear this song I feel like my day just got a little better. Thank you for sharing your gift of music

[@MagicPower118]

I just saw Rik Emmettt last week in Alexandria, VA at the Birchmere and he opened with this. It was an incredible concert..

[@garyconner6151]

Canada has some of the world's greatest musician's.triump great grog band.

[@alandye4654]

Met Rik in St.Louis around 84/85 along with the rest of the band. It was a Great Concert at The Kiel and a Great opportunity to meet the band. My girlfriend at the time was VERRRY appreciative to meet Rik!!!

[@willsweat5413]

2021 and I miss Triumph. Thanks for all the great teenage memories!

[@neilhosler4482]

Emmett had the great ability to write music that started with delicate melodies and poetry and then build the song up to magical orgasmic crescendos. Seeing Triumph live must have been truely amazing! Thanks for the music guys😊

[@imanalien6461]

They deserved so much more popularity and success. Awesome live band.

[@brucecall1595]

Good year . Good song .good album. Great band. I loved rush's first 5 albums . Then another canadian power trio came on the scene. Great voice ,lyrics,riffs...... Carry on rik

[@dennisn1672]

First time i saw triumph live i was amazed at the light show. Not only was the concert great. The light show was phenomenal.

[@billbowman8747]

I find these backstories super interesting. I still enjoy listening to Triumph, Rush, Max Webster, Goddo, and Coney Hatch and still have my old well-used albums tucked away. Classic Canadian rock from my teen years. Love it!

[@oldfarmer4700]

I went to a triump concert in either the late 70’s or real early 80’s and became a fan right from their release of their first album. Hold on was probably my favorite song by them at that time and was disappointed that they didn’t play it that night. But right after the concert was over jumped in the car and the local radio station played it before we got out the gate of the stadium parking lot.

[@sgtbma1]

I saw them for $4.00 at the Checkerdome annx building , back in the winter of 79 or 80. The building burned down a few months later . It was the single story parking garage for the Checkerdome where the St.Louis Blues played hockey. Triumph was the second or third band . They were awesome, everyone was talking about them , and how they stole the show . They took off like a rocket ! Thanks for the memory!

[@azlanmohmmed3837]

One of the Greatest guitarist of all time Rik 'the rocket' Emmett timeless track Gr8 album !!

[@brucecall1595]

And a full 4 octave vocal range

[@marcwhicher5242]

Still my favorite musician!!! See him at the Rosemont horizon. First time 1981 or 82. And many times after that.

[@tdunph4250]

Rik shredding his guitar at the US Festival 1983. Check it out!! Triumph was one of the major highlights of that festival and deservedly so!!!

[@toddmosher5906]

Very underrated guitarist ! I also met him and he was a very nice guy. Allied Forces tour was the concert I ever went to in Edmonton. Harlequin opened for them. Seen them 4 times all together. Great show every time.

[@zedimmer4336]

Takes me back to the CNE stadium, one of the first concerts that I ever attended. Awesome band!

[@davecody5997]

His voiceis crazy good!!!!

[@alanvaughan2937]

Just a very Nice human being ..NO ego ever ....and such talent