What Rik Emmett Thought Of His Triumph Replacement Phil X on "Edge of Excess"

[@rotadyma]

Rik Emmett is one of the most inspirational and positive artists of all time. His guitar playing, his singing and his lyrics are incredible. "Nothing in my pockets and nothing up my sleeve, I keep my magic in my heart". This line gives me chills every time I listen to Fight the Good Fight. You don't hear lyrical content like that very often. Rik is one of a kind.

[@I_need_an_oil_change]

Oh yes!!!!! Don’t get discouraged, don’t be afraid, you can make it through another day…..

[@kevencoble8221]

My Dad died of cancer and fight the good fight kept me going. Found out the song was about his Aunt who had cancer so how ironic!

[@cliffordmullinax9319]

Rik Emmett is simply the best!!

[@philx1111]

how can you not love this guy?? ❤️

[@markgrant1302]

What is pros and ghosts?

[@rking3724]

@@markgrant1302 Frozen Ghost

[@robertsmith6739]

The Texas jam I got stuck in front of stage. I had to pee really bad. They came on stage I forgot I had to pee. I watch the whole set 102 degrees with 90 percent humidity. Best show ever

[@kennymik1509]

Rik is, was and always be one cool dude. Such a classy man. Love from Buffalo, NY. Triumph always the rock and roll machine! Thanks for posting.

[@craigperry5729]

Rik... Thank you soooo much for your gift to the world!!!!

[@kevinmcnally-theblindguyou7015]

I love Rik so much. I love Triumph and all, but I saw him 5 times at a charity event in New Jersey. I even had breakfast with him and Dave Dunlap at the hotel. He is a great guy and was very kind. Such a treasure

[@crusheverything4449]

What a great person Rik Emmett is, in every way. Thanks, John, for these revealing interviews. I could watch this stuff indefinitely!

[@jeremyscaggs7315]

Rik looks great. Love listening to old Triumph.

[@AR-pm9nv]

Classy guy. So glad I got to see him in 81. Allied Forces tour.

[@unstablebobgable]

It makes me sad that Rik has retired from performing. He always was awesome with and without Triumph

[@DoctorIntrepid]

Glad I saw this guy before he retired. It was a two man show in Fort Mac. Thank you for the music and the memories!

[@spuds6423]

Same here, I got to meet him a few times. Steve Skingsly and I are Doppelgangers of one of another. One night after Rik's band was playing in Utica about 25 years ago, two women came up to me and thanked me for putting on a great show on bass and keyboards for Rik. I looked at at them perplexed....it took a few minutes for me to figure out they thought I was Steve. Later Rik came over and I got a pick with him...now Rik is kind of short and came up to my armpit... Then he looks over up at me...and says "Hey!!! You remind me of someone I know!!!" 😁😁😁 Many years later, I saw Steve, Rik and Dave playing in Syracuse....and someone goes to a buddy of mine and his wife....."Hey Man, you know Steve??? Can you get an auto graph??😁

[@VangeliRock]

What? There was a Triumph album without Rick Emmett? That's insane. There is no Triumph without Rick, come on.

[@JCStorm76]

Edge Of Excess and it’s great too

[@daktarioskarvannederhosen2568]

i agree: no emmett, no triumph.

[@crusheverything4449]

*Rik

[@Miadolph]

I was there! It was incredible. I can’t even describe it. I have been to concerts with 20,000 people and they were nothing compared to this in terms of energy and excitement. I am getting the chills just writing this. And one point Mike Levine was overcome with emotion and started to tear up while playing during Magic Power. Without exaggeration, one of the greatest moments of my life. When that curtain dropped we all went ape shit

[@jerrywoods4066]

I remember deep purple reunion tour. Omg people were screaming cheering and lighting their lighters thru out the entire show

[@darinplott5186]

I had the pleasure to meet Rik after a solo show in CA back in the late 90's. He signed some cd's and a Guitar Player magazine he was on the cover of. A true gentleman, very personable and ultimately friendly. I was and remain truly impressed with all his work.

[@ronaldwilson9525]

My favorite musician all time. Its obvious to me that he's also a great guy. Thanks John for this.

[@ShaneMcCrae]

Really enjoying these Rick bits. I spent a day with him as his host when he did a clinic at L&M, 2007. What a super nice guy and mega talent!

[@TKDunn-qq7kd]

I saw Triumph in Dallas (Tarrant County Convention Ctr) around '79 - they were so great. I had started playing guitar a few years before and I really appreciated Rik's talent - amazing. I'll be honest, the songs Gil's sang (in retrospect) were a bit boring and really cliche - very Spinal Tap (and the bass player's moustache didn't help diminish the comparison...). Even at 16, when a singer yells out, "Who ready to party tonight?", I rolled my eyes... Great interview Rik - you have been a huge inspiration to many of us!

[@Murasama]

Emmett is such an inspiration! I wished I was one of those lucky fans that got to attend that meet/greet. I still relish the Allied Forces and Never Surrender tours that I was fortunate to attend when they were in their prime. Can't wait for the documentary to release in the US.

[@iammantis62]

Rik's always a fun dude to talk to! What a pool of talent this country has! Nice job John, Thank You and your team!

[@lespault6075]

Phil also played with Aldo Nova's touring band on the Blood on the Bricks Tour in 91/92. Both Canadian..ayy

[@russellstraight9991]

I went to every Triumph concert in Kansas city and the main reason was Rik Emmett. Didn't care for Gil singing, it was ok. But Rik on the other hand was like a whole other world. I wore my hair like him sang all the songs and even played guitar with most of the songs. When they broke up I was like why ? That's my favourite band. Im glad I got to live it though. Rik rocks

[@jerrywoods4066]

But gil sang their more hard rock tunes

[@rythymsection7335]

Like you, never really cared for Gil’s voice and even less for his drumming. Still loved the band but always wished they had a more creative drummer.

[@JK-js2td]

@@jerrywoods4066 like Allied Forces...their hardest heaviest tune!

[@spuds6423]

​@@rythymsection7335Gil is no Neil Peart and he would be the first to tell you that. Gil is a power drummer much like Keith Moon was but pushed the more hard rock side of the band. He also was responsible for the special effects and new tech which very few bands of the time could rival.

[@azlan-e1v]

Rik is one of the greatest musician of all time!

[@mollyhatchet7075]

I believe that also.

[@josephw6678]

Rik talking is contagious positive thinking

[@lmethom]

I've always wondered if Triumph toured with Phil X? I read they did a few shows but I wonder if Phil sang any of Rik's lead vocals?

[@russellstraight9991]

I would have loved to see that documentary live. Nobody idolized Triumph more than me. I'm glad I saw them every time they came to town. Rik is the best

[@gatekeeper65]

Awesome Interview. What a huge part of my life as a young musician learning.

[@YAMISOOLD2009]

Love listening to Rik. Dennis DeYoung and Rik Emmett make your job pretty easy John. Ask either of them a question and they give you a 10 minute answer. What more could you want?!

[@WisconsinWanderer]

Ric Emmitt a true artist and one hellva guitarist and lead singer

[@crusheverything4449]

Rik. You were close, though. Sorta.

[@jameshawkins4514]

Still feathering the hair. That's just awesome. Massive player!

[@23names]

RIK EMMITT YOU ARE ONE OF THE BEST GUITARIST AND VOCALIST, TRIUMPH HAS BEEN ONE OF MY FAVORITE BANDS FOR OVER 40 YEARS, AWESOME LIVE PERFORMANCES, ANYONE THAT HAS SEEN TRIUMPH LIVE, SAYS THE SAME THING,"THE CONCERT WAS AWESOME", IT IS INTERESTING THAT MOST MUSICIANS DO NOT HAVE LONG HAIR ANYMORE, ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT, MOST 70's AND 80's BANDS NO LONGER HAVE LONG HAIR, MANY OF THEM ARE NOT RECOGNIZABLE NOW A DAYS, ALSO THEY ARE ALL OLDER, SOME PEOPLE HAVE AGED WELL AND OTHERS HAVE NOT, SOME OF THEM I AM SURPRISED ARE STILL LIVING

[@HanzonMacaque]

WHY ARE YOU YELLING? OR is it you’re just a 3rd grader on the world wide web?

[@slowfinger2]

I've seen Rick play locally here and there. Not doing the big concert jumping around, and flash. Sitting in with others and enjoying the song. It's like a workshop. I get the impression that every guitar player in the joint is woodshedding off of Rick. He's just such an awesomely smooth player and talented musician.

[@Humergaboo]

Great to hear about the book of poems. Seriously catching that book. I can't tell what an inspiration your music has been to me. Especially the solos. Thank You John, another great interview. Go Maple Leafs!

[@kriscalverley2131]

Great guitarist. Lyrics were always thought inspiring. Cool their is a book to get.

[@thebluesrockers]

Rik Emmett Was and Is Triumph...

[@stevebarrios2158]

I love and respect this man

[@jeffjohnson5544]

Saw Triumph in May, 1982 in Dayton, Ohio.

[@sag308]

Hara Arena!

[@theloner6063]

Edge of Excess is a beast of an album.

[@MasterArpeggioSystem]

Here's a question for anyone who knows the answer: What's the story with *A World of Fantasy?* It's never featured on the newer Triumph live DVDs, hits/best compilations, and the promo video wasn't even included on the latest best collection. That's the song that got me into the band to begin with and it's still my favorite Triumph song.

[@nathaninostroza7655]

Thats one of those so called sell out things Rik could do, but i think i'm under the same spell as You, since it's really one of My favorite bangers from them, no matter how great fight the good fight, never surrender, ordinary man, blinding Light show, somebody s out there, allied forces, etc are, world of fantasy s got a thing that draws me into wich in can't precisely figure out what is. On the tangent side, it's a beautiful tune with great choruses well done all the way, but thats about it, perhaps it has an undescribable hook for ppl like You and me who actually cherish that tune even more so than their more groundbreaking ones. Indeed a rare treat that song is.

[@TheJosep70]

I like Edge of Excess, but with Rik gone the soul of Triumph was gone too.

[@tradbowseven]

I don’t particularly care for phil x, but edge of excess sound great. Closer to classic triumph than Emmett was doing at the end.

[@mikeb2611]

i met the guys backstage in october 1981 in Norman, Oklahoma when I was 16...great bunch of guys....I was on cloud 9

[@jamescrouch3217]

Great segment 🙏🏽

[@kevinleblanc47]

Their is no TRIUMPH without Rik

[@Rigel66]

I love Ric Emmett...Cooler than most

[@SteveOostdyk]

Will the documentary be available for streaming soon? If so, can you tell me where?

[@rhircyn]

I'm about to listen I think for the first time Edge of Excess in its entirety. My reaction at the time of the album release was... 'Wow, they really are trying to keep going. I'm not interested and without Rik, they are done.' Shit happens and time marches forward. Meh, enjoy it for what it is.

[@miguelbarahona6636]

I love Rik, but Edge of Excess is a fantastic album.

[@CanadianCharlie64]

I thought Rick Santers would be Rik's replacement

[@kennypangman4636]

Holy crap that would have been good! And he's known in Canadian rock, and can sing too, keep the 2 vocal thing going. Not as good as Rik obviously, but I think it could have worked. The Canadian equivalent of Sammy joining VH.

[@abeldelarosa539]

A have the santers CD , produced by rik Emmett, great band very good songs,and sounds

[@kc0lif]

rik emmett seems like a great guy.

[@genesimmons3033]

PHIL X...🇬🇷🇨🇦⚡⚡💰⚡⚡ MUCH HEAVIER N CRAZIER GUITARIST...

[@OutOnTheTiles]

Rock legend. Guitar genius.

[@TheJeffbarrett]

I remember getting duped at the record store. I thought no way, another Triumph album, who knew? As soon as I listened to it I wanted my money back, it was crap. I found out the same way with Marillion's new singer, completely different band.

[@garylcampbell9964]

Phil x is a real talent. And he is Canadian.

[@sbrave]

Had no idea Phil X was in a Triumph album? Worth a listen?

[@MichaelCharles2011]

First two songs are real bangers. Rest are ok AOR rock. Definitely worth a listen though. At the very least, I liked it more than sport of kings

[@JCStorm76]

The whole album is fantastic. Two of the best ballads they ever did too.

[@rubicon-oh9km]

Huge Triumph fan back in the day and I left the camp after the very mediocre Sport Of Kings so I have no clue what this record sounds like.

[@JK-js2td]

I saw my only triumph show on the sport of kings tour in Atlanta. Camped out for tickets and was first in line and got 2 front row tickets. I was absolutely stoked. One of the best concerts i ever went to...and i went to many! Triumph was my fave group back then...until edge of excess and the breakup

[@mariomacias7090]

Classy guy

[@kennypangman4636]

Another problem with Edge of Excess was that the songs were all second-rate, the kind of stuff that Gil would have as filler on the Rik albums. Nothing on EoE was anywhere near as good as Allied Forces, When The Lights Go Down, Follow Your Heart, Headed For Nowhere, and that time they took a Joe Walsh song and made it better. Everything on Edge of Excess sucked ass.

[@JCStorm76]

Bullshit

[@ghostrunnerco6791]

thankfully never even knew that album existed until i watched this video lol

[@flrpitflrp1965]

I like Rik, but I wish he enjoyed his time in Triumph more

[@ZekeJunior]

it's over, somewhere tonight and child of the city were the only ones i liked from it....everything else was mehhhh

[@perrytornado]

Where would Triumph and Rush be without the lyrical poetry and the educative importance of songwriting? Rik Emmett's opinion that nobody cares about poetry is incomprehensible and erroneous/ Fighting the Good Fight is spiritually poetic and evangelical/

[@matts9064]

Rik is a true artist. Gil was always a wannabe rock star.

[@markmarsh27]

I have a real problem with Phil X's narcissism. The guy just turns me off, bad karma.

[@I_need_an_oil_change]

I love Phil X but Rik Emmett is in a whole different league.

[@JCStorm76]

Well the album is better than anything you did after leaving Triumph

[@lmethom]

His latest/last RESolution9 RES9 (2016) was pretty good.

[@BryanFink1]

Thats a total crock! You obviously dont appreciate Riks diverse talent.

[@johncole015]

Phil X was horribly out of his league in Triumph and now Bon Jovi.

[@thomascope4248]

Phil x is fine the drills. But if he is so good, how come alice cooper, Ozzy, and others never went after him.

[@Riley512]

Phil X is a prolific session guitarist, having played on albums by Tommy Lee, Methods of Mayhem, Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson, Orianthi, Rob Zombie, Chris Daughtry, Alice Cooper, Thousand Foot Krutch and many others.

[@allanparker20]

You're not that old rick.