Rik Emmett of Triumph | Legendary Musician - Guitarist | Peet and Reet - S01 E14

Rik Emmett, vocalist, guitarist, and founding member of the Canadian rock band Triumph and writer for Canadian Guitar Player magazine speaks with Peet and Reet about his musical success.
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Rik left Triumph in 1988 to pursue a solo career. He has produced 19 albums, is a writer for Guitar Player magazine and teaches songwriting and music business at Humber College in Toronto.
Rik shared the vocal lead with Gil Moore and is well known for his guitar playing skills and would sometimes play the double neck guitar.
Popular songs included: Lay it on the Line, Never Surrender, The Way that You Loved Me, Heaven in Your Heart.
In 2007, Rik Emmett joined former Triumph bandmates Gil Moore and Mike Levine for their induction into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame. And, on Sunday April 6, 2008 at The 2008 JUNO Awards, Triumph was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Learn more about Rik, his career decisions and what he is up to now on The Peet and Reet Show.
Rik Emmett Songs
Bang On
Beacon Street Hotel
Big Lie
Buggy Ride
Crazy Woman
Drive Time
End of the Line feat. RESolution 9
Head Case
Heaven Only Knows
Human Race feat. RESolution 9
I Sing feat. RESolution 9
Let Me Be the One
Little Bitta Love
Middle Ground
Out of the Blue
Saved by Love
The Last Goodbye
The Way That You Love Me
-Rik Emmett/ Bob Halligan Jr. / Graham Shaw
Unconditional Love
When a Heart Breaks
World of Wonder
Guitar ~ Somebody's Out There ~ Never Surrender ~ Peet ~ Reet - Peet & Reet ~ Peet and Reet ~ Peet and Reet Show
S01 E14

[@tonysams7261]

Triumph was my first concert in 1982 and I was right in front of Rick! Inspired me to play guitar and I will forever be grateful for that! Excellent band!

[@troyottosen8722]

I remember seeing triumph in the mid 80’s, front row, feet from emmitt, never surrender tourin Anchorage, Alaska, he did a guitar solo during the song Rick &roll machine literally right in front of me, I was watching his fingers going crazy, and he is looking out at the crowd like this was nothing! Amazing!

[@mickeyreflepreflepkern9177]

Rick Emmett is amazing!! That band didn't get enough recognition. Best band!! I miss them, still listen to their music...Always will!! Incredible in concert!!

[@A.I-GAMING]

The world underrated gets thrown around a lot in the guitar world but in the case of Rik Emmet, he really is overlooked way to often, the guy is phenomenal.

[@S_Lancaster_222]

Meeting you in Seattle at your hotel back when I was 16 years old... I yelled out of my car and said "Rik Emmett" stop! I need your autograph please" "you inspired me to play guitar".. that was in 1984-85 summer...I played and learned some but gave it up after the loss of my teacher and son's father passed away. Today I am ready to learn again..it's never too late until I'm dead and gone. Thanks for being an inspiration to me and to so many. Triumph in lives on forever!! So do you! Keep bringing the solo albums ...much love ~Suzanne from Seattle

[@DarthJ1977]

Keep Rockin'.

[@buddyjackson3148]

R N R Machine is one of the greatest ( and under rated ) albums EVER ! Winds my spring up every time !

[@edbigtruck]

Rik Emmett is the most underrated Guitar Player in Rock. He’s an amazing player. It’s cool he mentions Neal Schon towards the end of interview. Neal and Rik are my two biggest influences and favorite Guitar players.

[@karencain2014]

He is totally underrated ! Awesome singer!

[@MrAitraining]

Just an amazing talent. Saw Triumph 3 times in their 80's hey day and they are still the best sounding live band I ever I saw. And no one played lead guitar and sang like Rik

[@LA80sMike]

hi here in Los Angeles, CA, I was at the Us Festival (16 yrs old!!), incredible day/night saw the best that day (Van Halen/Scorpions/Triumph/Judas Priest/Ozzy…etc..(no disrepect to the other bands)… But Allied Forces was in my head that summer…. and boy did Triumph deliver!! Rik Emmett is a national treasure, his playing, his lyrics and his modesty is what makes him Legendary.

[@peetdictor1779]

Right on!!!

[@alane209]

the version of magic power at the US festival is incredible!!! best version that they did and the high note Rik hits when they slow down near the end always makes me say WOW!! what a true talent

[@ThePeetandReetShow]

He truly is!

[@nashdest]

I think the same. Beautiful... the best.

[@nashdest]

Rik. Your the best thing that happened to me. No shit. Followed ya for my life from 17. I'm now 55. Live in Burlington too. Hope I get to meet you in person some day. Thanks love ya.

[@humanactivated1017]

That one was pretty good.

[@sandraboyle557]

Rik Emmett is such a talented musician and Canadian legend! Great interview!

[@annalisa6135]

I saw them twice before they got big; I think it was one of their earliest shows around 1976 or 1977, in Mission Texas. I think they came back the following year to the same location, and I made sure I was in attendance for both! They’re reception was very well received by the crowd but especially by me. I think they had already put out their 1st album by that time, prior to that first visit. Their music was awesome, the lyrics were poetic, much to the contrast of the typical rock band of the time, who usually only sang about pornography and/or getting high on something, as if those things were the sum of life and all metal-heads were corrupted by them. Triumph’s music in contrast, was about being valuable as a human being; about being wise; it was uplifting, and made one think about (or at least in my case), about being a descent human being. And while I haven’t been to a lot of shows, maybe 15 or so in my lifetime, those two shows stand out to me musically, even on performance, as the 2 greatest shows I’ve honestly ever been too. When the fog machines came on, the sirens started blaring, and red flashing cop lights tried to cut through the dense, dense fog, announcing the intro to “Blinding Light Show”, I remember thinking at the time (and have over the years), thought man, that really WAS, A FREAKING blinding light show”!!! And I never forgot it either. But speaking of Triumph’s discography, they never did make a dud, or what I call “filler” songs; songs made, just to take up album space because the band was at a loss musically, after producing one or two respectable creations or “hits”. All of Triumph’s material had such detail; CLASSICAL detail, which I attribute to Rik Emmitt. Levine and Moore were talented musicians in their own right, but the genius of the music belongs to Rik; and I think everyone knows that, even Levine and Moore. Even at my age of 17 at the time, I had already been singing opera for 6 or 7 years. I had a voice very mature for a 9 or 10 year old when I started singing in public. I had already appeared on television twice at 15, then again at 16, and made an album at 16 with other kids my age who were great singers. I felt like I was being kind of pushed in a classical direction for a career path which wasn’t what I wanted to do. The problem being, that I was a metal-head at heart. I loved the discipline and finesse of classical, but I wanted to sing rock; like Ann and Nancy Wilson; I just did not have the voice to do, what I loved and wanted to do. All that to say, that when I first heard Triumph’s music, I was immediately drawn to the more familiar intricacy of and construction of Rik’s music, just the same as my love and appreciation is for the mastery and genius of the music of Kansas. I guess that part of me that loved that more detailed rock was the heavier side of Handel! In Rik Emmitt, I recognized a kindred spirit. The detail in his work was extraordinary; truly a musical and poetic visionary; a virtuoso and that includes that golden tenor voice of his! Man; what beautiful pipes he had- the strings and the pipes! I always wanted to do a duet to Magic Power with him; ah well….. And though Triumph was recognized, it seemed to me, more like a polite nod in their direction from the “experts”, rather than the superstardom they deserved. I could never understand why they didn’t get that credit. But to their fans, they will always be superstars. I will never forget the great music they graced the world with, and that which we continue to enjoy, even me in my 60’s- What a lasting gift you have given us; Thank you Triumph ❤️.

[@christiekraczek6522]

Rik was my FIRST love!!!!Amazing talent

[@MegaAnthonys]

im happy to see anyone from the 70s still posiative and getting out-working

[@ThePeetandReetShow]

He's as talented as ever!

[@overtimefreak2685]

Such a legend he is but he is also cool guy and friendly

[@franciscod.irlandamendez6727]

My fave guitar player ever!!! Vocals awesome too!!!

[@brianwilner3634]

What a nice guy, great musician.

[@cwiemann2]

I can't wait to hear Rik Emmett again! Talent!!!

[@trockyjones]

As a guitar player, Rik has and will always be a influence of mine and continue to be a part of my music I write. Thanks for posting - Tim Rocky Jones

[@ThePeetandReetShow]

Wow Tim! You are a fantastic musician yourself! Love it!

[@trockyjones]

Thank You, glad you love it,

[@MichaelMartin-eh6wl]

Rik might put Allied Forces first, but I put Thunder 7. Great songs that most have never heard. Rik is on fire on that album.

[@lady_in_blue83]

Rocket, you are amazing! Thanks a lot!

[@boblawblaw6875]

I was actually at the show that night at the Seneca Queen. Fantastic show.

[@davidmohr1920]

As a musician and a life long fan these videos are priceless just like visiting an old friend :-)

[@roadwarrior6810]

Fantastic interview. Rik is the best

[@VangeliRock]

I listened to Triumph from day one, same with Rush. Being a T dot boy knowing we had our own home grown rockers with amazing musicianship was great. They didn't to make it anywhere else for me to hear that they were awesome...The first album is still my fav.

[@vincegedeon6583]

Awesome Band

[@CamiMack5616]

Don't you just love Rik? Seems so cool, nice, funny, and humble. What a shame that Triumph was woefully underappreciated, critically. Ugh, jeez, I really hate saying that, but sadly, it's the truth. Hey, we loved them; to hell with the critics. They were the soundtrack to so many 70s/80s kids' lives. Rik is an astronomically talented guitarist and vocalist; the band, as a whole, was simply phenomenal. Their music, over the years, has turned legendary and timeless. I'll always love them. ❤️🎶

[@annalisa6135]

I’m waiting on those 2 DVD’s mentioned in an interview of Rik by Blabbermouth magazine. One DVD from the filming at an the invitation-only event at MetalWorks Studio for the documentary “Lay It On The Line; (that ought to be something special!), the Sweden performance, and especially the 4-part musical collage Rik was working on called “Bonfire Sessions”; but quite honestly, I don’t know which one I’d want to see the most. They all sound musically delicious!

[@rjt0069ClassicRockNRoll]

Power Canadian trio, same city Rush band, much like the band, Triumph formed in 1975, Gil Moore drummer and vocalist, Mike Levine bassist and keyboardist Rick Emmett guitarist and singer, Gil and Rick are great perfect musicians and vocalists, Mike sends very low on my first album the band was Allied Forces .de 19 \ 09 \ 1981 .. Good article.

[@rainiedwards2342]

I will be brief: I am skeptical about everything including music and singers. I usually am cool and matter of fact about things.... by the way: Good morning and I use to travel to Quebec all the time and will again if I attend school need the Canadian border next year have friends up there, love the peacefulness up there ,the people and the cold. Enough said on that: it was a few days ago serendipity that I heard this physical beauty and this combination of angelic hypnotic chaotic prowess , named: Mr. Rik Emmett. God almighty, he is the real deal, beautiful soaring vocals and amazing guitar genius. I never heard of the band but I am a full 'disciple'. Between my studies, I am practicing that song: Lay it on line on my left handed viola (has a richer sound than my left handed violin) and mostly left handed electric guitar, me practicing singing it not hard the hardest is playing it since I suffered an accident seriouly and have to relearn all with left hand. But Mr. Emmett inspiring me as a great artist should. I brought yesterday Nov. 26th 2019 every song recorded by Triumph because this humble gentleman when he opens his mouth its memorizing and real message that is profound and perpetual. Thanks to Mr. Fil Henley lead singer and guitarist of Wings Of Pegasus on KZbin and by the way great and a genius in his own right , sang Mr. Emmett cover of: Lay it on the line a few days ago and when I checked out the original artist Mr. Rik, I instantly knew he was an Amazing gift. Thank you, and bless you Mr. Rik Emmett. Happy holidays and good day.

[@michaelhendricks1206]

Fil Henley is a great dude

[@janishart5128]

Rik is 63 in this interview - he looks good for his age! Still sounds the same too!!

[@Darkfatheroftheuniverse]

Great musician....great music

[@rbubbarayp4021]

What a awesome attitude and unreal musician, I use to have dreams after seeing Triumph live 5 times, walking through a forest as I approached a clearing meadow.. and there would be a huge stage with them performing :)

[@jimlayhey1965]

seen them 5 times love Triumph

[@darkdog6307]

Rik Emmett is a ROCK F*CKING GOD! Never got the recognition he deserved.

[@reneechristopher2121]

Brilliant interview 👏.

[@ThePeetandReetShow]

Thank you for those kind words

[@robertudell3696]

Awesome!

[@etherlords88]

great guy great musician!

[@kathyortiz8293]

great interview!

[@whtwhy4556]

wow awsum thx for posting , i have vids of the show here . We drove from Windsor for it !

[@ThePeetandReetShow]

It was excellent!

[@2112dorf]

Nice video. Can you post the Triumph bio (I think it was made in the late 1990's). It was produced by "Much Music". The vid had the phrase Much Music in the corner the whole time. It was broken up into multiple parts. It used to be on KZbin, but then disappeared. Thanks!!

[@gregggoodwin5741]

I have 2 questions I wonder about. the 1st one is, do the powers that be (in the rock universe.) ever officially reconize Rick emmett for what he was and is,,,one of the most talented musician's (both as guitarist and volcalist) in the world. Because he "is" and deserves to be acknowleged as such. And secondly,,, Has triumph ever been inducted into the R and R hall of fame yet??? And if not, what the hell? They deserve to be there as much as any one could ever deserve to be!!! Those of course are just," my" opinions after all,,, but that dosen't mean it isn't TRUE!!! And P.S., Rick, if you should happen to see this,,, check it out, I spelled you're name "right". lol

[@mpuglise]

when do you guys conduct this interview it's great

[@ThePeetandReetShow]

Thank you! We did this a few weeks ago

[@urbanaeclectica]

Belloooooo!!!!

[@MrRockNRoll]

Remember when SCTV used to make fun of all those public access shows?? (Think Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara) Thats what this "Peet and Reet" remind me of......Rik however is awesome

[@brucestobie82]

Stanton making a single out of that.. That is worth 4 shots.

[@cameranmanner4701]

Sad to hear that they have no plans to reunite triumph.

[@froggy5935]

I was only able to see Triumph once. Sadly, it was the Edge of Excess Tour and Phil X had replaced Rik. I believe Rick Santers was the second guitarist. I left after the 4th song. It just wasn't the same. Not how I wanted to remember Triumph.

[@eddieduggan7141]

4 dislike this ?? Why ?

[@johnhutchison9782]

Now 5 morons. Probably pissed off that Triumph won't be onstage any time soon. I wish they would get back together, but I also understand their reasoning. Peace, John

[@humanactivated1017]

You can see where Justin Beiber evolved from when you see Rik and triumph

[@brucestobie82]

1 hit for redemption

[@randalleasley31]

The man is hooking up with her, like, 10 minutes.

[@WhiskeyTrain100]

I want to say that Rik ruined Triumph, but when Sport of Kings came out I knew something was wrong. That record sounded like soft rock in an elevator and I was pissed that I bought it because I wanted that Thunder 7 sound. I'm thinking that Gill wanted to get back to that Thunder 7 sound and Rik wanted to go softer and more commercial..so eventually it had to end.