Triumph
Group · Canada · formed 1975
Canadian musical group; rock band
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Also known as トライアンフ
Timeline
1970s
· Member joins
Gil Moore joins the band
background vocals,bass guitar,bass pedals,clavinet,guitar,lap steel guitar,lead vocals,original,resonator guitar,slide guitar,synthesizer
source: musicbrainz
· Member joins
Mike Levine joins the band
background vocals,bass guitar,bass pedals,clavinet,keyboard,organ,original,piano,synthesizer
source: musicbrainz
· Member joins
Rik Emmett joins the band
background vocals,drums (drum set),lead vocals,original,percussion
source: musicbrainz
· Debut release
Debut release: Triumph
First documented Album in the MusicBrainz discography.
source: musicbrainz
1980s
· Member leaves
Gil Moore leaves the band
background vocals,bass guitar,bass pedals,clavinet,guitar,lap steel guitar,lead vocals,original,resonator guitar,slide guitar,synthesizer
source: musicbrainz
1990s
· Member joins
Phil X joins the band
guitar
source: musicbrainz
· Member leaves
Mike Levine leaves the band
background vocals,bass guitar,bass pedals,clavinet,keyboard,organ,original,piano,synthesizer
source: musicbrainz
· Member leaves
Rik Emmett leaves the band
background vocals,drums (drum set),lead vocals,original,percussion
source: musicbrainz
· Member leaves
Phil X leaves the band
guitar
source: musicbrainz
2000s
· Member joins
Gil Moore joins the band
original
source: musicbrainz
· Member joins
Mike Levine joins the band
original
source: musicbrainz
· Member joins
Rik Emmett joins the band
original
source: musicbrainz
2020s
Biography
Biography
Triumph is a Canadian rock band formed in 1975 that was popular during the late 1970s and the 1980s, building on their reputation and success as a live band. Between its 16 albums and DVDs, the band has received 18 gold and nine platinum awards in Canada and the United States. They were nominated for multiple Juno Awards, including the "Group of the Year Award" in 1979, 1985, 1986 and 1987. They were inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame in 2007, the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2008 and Canada's Walk of Fame in 2019.
Triumph is most known for its guitar-driven rock songs, such as "Lay It on the Line", "Magic PowerMagic PowerSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Magic Power3:572Hot Time (in This City Tonight)3:20", "Fight the Good Fight" and "World of Fantasy", although it originally earned notice for writing strong songs like "Rock & Roll Machine
Rock & Roll MachineSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracksA1Takes Time3:48A2Bringing It On Home4:35A3Little Texas Shaker3:24A4New York City Streets: Part 13:09A5New York City Streets: Part 24:40B1The City: Part 1: War March / Part 2: El Duende Agonizante / Part 3: Minstrel's Lament9:20B2Rocky Mountain Way4:04B3Rock & Roll Machine6:53" and "24 Hours A Day". The band was formed in Mississauga, and for much of its existence featured Rik Emmett (guitar, lead/backing vocals), Mike Levine (bass, keyboards, backing vocals) and Gil Moore (drums, lead/backing vocals). This line-up, which recorded the band's first nine studio albums, lasted until 1988, when Emmett left Triumph to pursue a solo career. He was replaced by Phil "X" Xenedis, and Triumph recorded their last album to date, Edge of Excess
Edge of ExcessSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Child of the City5:042Troublemaker4:073It's Over4:214Edge of Excess4:455Turn My Back On Love4:066Ridin' High Again4:567Black Sheep5:258Boy's Night Out5:199Somewhere Tonight4:3510Love in a Minute4:45, with him before going on indefinite hiatus in 1993.
The classic line-up of Moore, Levine and Emmett reunited for two live concerts in 2008, at Sweden Rock Festival and Rocklahoma, and again in 2019 for a three-song performance in Toronto. For the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, Triumph reunited for its first public performance in 17 years in Edmonton, and the band embarked on their first major tour in more than three decades starting in April 2026.
Early days and first two albums (1975–1978)
Before Triumph, there was a four-piece blues-based band consisting of Tom Lafferty (guitar), Peter Young (organ), Mike Levine (bass) and Gil Moore (drums, vocals). This group, called Abernathy Shagnaster (Abernathy Shagnaster's Wash and Wear Band), signed to Canada's Attic Records in 1975 and issued the non-charting single "Hobo" / "Got to Get You Back in My Life". Larry Leishman wrote "Hobo".
Keeler and Young left the group soon after the band's first single was released and in the summer of 1975 Moore and Levine met guitarist Rik Emmett, who was playing at Toronto's Hollywood Tavern in a band called ACT III. After jamming with the pair at Moore's house in Mississauga and reviewing the group's existing contracts, Emmett agreed to join the band, now called Triumph. Triumph's first paid concert with Emmett was at Simcoe High School in September 1975.
Guitarist Emmett's songwriting style brought both progressive rock and classical music influences; most Triumph albums included a classical guitar solo piece. Moore doubled as lead singer on many of the band's heavier songs and in their later years, some softer ballads; bassist and pianist Levine produced their early albums. As with many progressive rock and heavy metal bands, Triumph's style proved unpopular with rock critics; Rolling Stone reviewers labelled them a "faceless band".
Triumph's self-titled first album was originally released in Canada in October 1976. It was later retitled on re-issues as In the Beginning. The second album, Rock & Roll Machine
Rock & Roll MachineSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracksA1Takes Time3:48A2Bringing It On Home4:35A3Little Texas Shaker3:24A4New York City Streets: Part 13:09A5New York City Streets: Part 24:40B1The City: Part 1: War March / Part 2: El Duende Agonizante / Part 3: Minstrel's Lament9:20B2Rocky Mountain Way4:04B3Rock & Roll Machine6:53, followed in September 1977 and contained a version of the Joe Walsh song "Rocky Mountain Way". Neither of these original albums were released in the United States, however, RCA Records subsequently released a debut US album in June 1978 also titled Rock & Roll Machine. This album, also released internationally, combines songs from both Canadian releases with new artwork. And "Rocky Mountain Way" received some scattered US airplay.
In February 1978 Triumph subbed in for Sammy Hagar on a radio-station promotion date for 99.5 KISS-FM in San Antonio, Texas, followed by a run of five shows in Texas for JAM Productions (a promoter named Joe A Miller), then toured across Canada with fellow Canadian rockers Moxy and Trooper.
On August 26, 1978 they were headliners at the Canada Jam Festival at Mosport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario, playing before a crowd of about 110,000 people.
Mainstream popularity (1979–1985)
Triumph's third album, Just a Game
Just a GameSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracksA1Movin’ On4:11A2Lay It on the Line4:05A3Young Enough to Cry6:05A4American Girls4:52B1Just a Game6:18B2Fantasy Serenade1:40B3Hold On6:09B4Suitcase Blues3:03 (March 1979), featured a moderate US radio hit, "Hold OnHold OnSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Hold On2:592Just A Game5:48", which reached No. 38 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Hold On" became a significant song in some select markets; for example, in St. Louis the song made it to No. 1 on KSHE and KWK, album-oriented/classic rock FM radio stations. "Hold On" also peaked at No. 33 on the RPM Singles chart in Canada.
The second single, "Lay It on the Line", received greater acceptance at album-oriented rock FM radio across the U.S. and Canada. It also received heavy FM radio airplay and reached No. 86 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1979. In "oldies" classic-rock format radio stations in the US, it remains the most widely played and recognized song from the Triumph catalogue. The album eventually went gold in the US.
In March 1980 the band's fourth album, Progressions of Power
Progressions of PowerSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracksA1I Live for the Weekend5:19A2I Can Survive4:02A3In the Night6:17A4Nature's Child5:43B1Woman in Love4:42B2Take My Heart3:33B3Tear the Roof Off4:30B4Fingertalking2:01B5Hard Road5:24, was released and peaked at No. 32 in the US, reaching gold in overall sales. Its single "I Can Survive" peaked at No. 91 on the Hot 100. That year the band performed at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, New Jersey on June 21, 1980; it was their first show in the New York area.
In 1981 their album Allied Forces
Allied ForcesSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracksA1Fool for Your Love4:28A2Magic Power4:48A3Air Raid1:18A4Allied Forces5:01A5Hot Time (in This City Tonight)3:20B1Fight the Good Fight6:20B2Ordinary Man7:24B3Petite Etude1:12B4Say Goodbye4:27 sold over a million copies in the US, while attaining the highest chart positions any Triumph album would attain; No. 23 in the US and No. 13 in Canada. It included the songs "Fight the Good Fight" and "Magic PowerMagic PowerSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Magic Power3:572Hot Time (in This City Tonight)3:20", the latter of which reached no. 5 at Canada's largest Top 40 radio station, CHUM-AM in Toronto. "Magic Power" peaked at No. 14 on the national Canadian RPM Singles chart, their biggest hit in their native Canada. "Magic Power" reached No. 8 on the Billboard Mainstream Top Rock Tracks chart and No. 51 on the Hot 100, while "Fight the Good Fight" went to No. 18 on the Top Rock Tracks chart.
Never Surrender was initially released in December 1982 on Attic Records in Canada, but was not released in the United States until January 1983. The album attained gold status in the US, and peaked at No. 26 on the US album chart. It saw the band's compositions take on more political overtones. Previously, Emmett had included a single political theme on each Triumph album. ("Just a Game", "Hard Road", and "Ordinary Man" portray Rik Emmett's strong populist leanings.) However, Never Surrender featured five anthems. The Jimi Hendrix-inspired riff-rocker "Too Much Thinking" even samples Ronald Reagan from one of his presidential speeches. "All the Way" (No. 2) and "A World of FantasyA World of FantasySpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1A World of Fantasy3:572Too Much Thinking5:10" (No. 3) became Triumph's highest ever charting songs on the Top Rock Tracks chart, while the title track peaked at No. 23. The album earned gold record status in the United States (sales of 500,000 units).
However, Triumph's relationship with RCA Records soured at this point; MCA Records executive Irving Azoff co-opted their debts and signed them for five albums. Following their 1984 label change, MCA took over distribution of their old catalogue for ten years. After the shift to MCA, the band began to work with outside producers, and their studio albums became increasingly difficult to replicate onstage. Triumph eventually added Rick Santers, a Toronto guitar and keyboard player, in 1986, to support their last three tours.
Thunder Seven was released in late 1984, initially as a compact disc. But despite two hit singles and videos, "SpellboundSpellboundSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Spellbound4:282Spellbound5:12" (No. 10 on the Top Rock Tracks chart) and "Follow Your HeartFollow Your HeartSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Follow Your Heart3:212Stranger in a Strange Land5:11" (No. 13), the album failed to achieve expected levels of sales; cassette and vinyl formats were soon released. On Thunder Seven Emmett's lyrics addressed social concerns in an adult context and Rik Emmett and Gil Moore sang alternating vocal parts in "Follow Your Heart" and "Killing Time". Continuing in the direction of "Never Surrender
Never SurrenderSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Too Much Thinking5:392A World of Fantasy5:073A Minor Prelude0:424All the Way3:455Battle Cry5:006Overture (Procession)1:547Never Surrender6:428When the Lights Go Down5:059Writing on the Wall3:3910Epilogue (Resolution)2:43", the entire second side formed a loose concept focusing on different perspectives of time with "Time Canon" mostly featuring multiple part voice harmonies. Thunder Seven became an RIAA certified gold album in 2003.
In 1985 the band released Stages, a double live set culled from the previous three tours. It also featured two new songs, including "Mind Games", for which a video was filmed but the song failed to chart in either Canada or the U.S.
On June 7, 1985 Triumph was ranked No. 2 in Performance Magazine's 6-week period ending "Tops in Performance" list. That same year the band performed with Mountain as their opening act.
The Sport of Kings, Surveillance and split with Rik Emmett (1986–1991)
Triumph took a more commercial turn with their 1986 studio album, The Sport of Kings
The Sport of KingsSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Tears in the Rain3:562Somebody's Out There4:053What Rules My Heart3:554If Only4:035Hooked on You3:246Take a Stand4:337Just One Night3:418Embrujo (instrumental)1:299Play With the Fire5:2010Don't Love Anybody Else but Me3:5411In the Middle of the Night4:35. Rik Emmett's "Somebody's Out ThereSomebody's Out ThereSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksASomebody’s Out There3:49BWhat Rules My Heart3:54" reached the American Top 40 in late 1986, a significant amount of radio and video exposure. Written and recorded in the eleventh hour of The Sport of Kings sessions, in an attempt to deliver a hit single to satisfy the demands of the record company, "Somebody's Out There" made it to No. 27 on Billboard Hot 100 during October and November 1986. "Somebody's Out There" still stands as the highest-charting song from the Triumph catalogue on the Hot 100. It also reached No. 9 on the Top Rock Tracks chart, although it did less well in Canada, only reaching No. 84 on the singles chart there. Gil Moore's "Tears in the Rain", cut from the same cloth as "Mind Games", did not fare as well in the charts in the US, as it peaked at No. 23 on the Top Rock Tracks charts. The third single, the slow-tempo "Just One NightJust One NightSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAJust One Night3:28BHooked on You3:23", which also had a video, did fairly well in Canada, hitting No. 33 on the singles chart in April 1987, but did not chart in the US. Adding the aforementioned Rick Santers to their line-up, Triumph toured with Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen across the United States in the fall of 1986.
In 1987 the band attempted a return to their usual style with Surveillance. While Gil Moore and Mike Levine remained firmly planted in blues-rock, Rik Emmett took a more modern progressive turn, even involving Dixie Dregs and Kansas guitarist Steve Morse. They collaborated on a dual-guitar solo for Gil Moore's angst-ridden vocal on the Emmett/Santers-penned "Headed for Nowhere". The first single released to radio stations in Canada was "Let the Light Shine on Me", which did well on certain Canadian rock stations, such as reaching number 1 at Q107 in Toronto (as the lead one or two singles on most Triumph albums since 1979 had) while reaching No. 61 on the Canadian singles chart. It did not chart in the US. The first single released to radio stations in the US, "Long Time Gone", reached number 23 on the Top Rock Tracks chart but the song did not chart in Canada. A video was released for the single "Never Say Never", but the song did not chart on the Top Rock Tracks chart or on the Canadian Singles chart.
The 1988 tour, during which the band members experienced growing disharmony over business decisions and artistic direction, ended with a September 3 show on the Kingswood stage at Canada's Wonderland. Later that year Emmett left Triumph and began a solo career; the three did not perform together again for many years. Emmett's first album, Absolutely, yielded four hits in Canada. Meanwhile, Triumph released 1989's Classics as their obligatory fifth album owed to MCA Records.
Phil X-era, Edge of Excess and hiatus (1992–2006)
In 1992 the remaining members of Triumph recruited Phil Xenidis, a Canadian guitarist known for his work with Aldo Nova and Frozen Ghost. Moore was the principal songwriter and lead singer for 1992's Edge of Excess, with additional help from guitarist-producer Mladen Zarron. Rick Santers also remained on hand as touring guitarist/keyboardist and singer for the 1993 North American tour, singing Rik Emmett's parts in fan favourites "Magic PowerMagic PowerSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Magic Power3:572Hot Time (in This City Tonight)3:20" and "Fight the Good Fight". Initial reception of the album from American radio seemed quite favourable, until Triumph's recording label, a subsidiary of Polygram, dissolved unexpectedly in 1993.
But by the end of 1993, the remaining members of Triumph had effectively disbanded, mostly due to their record label's collapse.
In 1998 Rik Emmett resisted overtures from his former bandmates for a potentially lucrative twentieth anniversary US tour, stating he was not interested. Nevertheless, Moore and Levine purchased and acquired back their entire album catalogue from MCA and launched their own label TML Entertainment, and they continued to release live recordings and videos from their long career.
In 2003 TML released a live DVD album called Live at the US Festival
Live at the US FestivalSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Allied Forces2Lay It on the Line3Never Surrender4Magic Power5A World of Fantasy6Rock and Roll Machine7When the Lights Go Down8Fight the Good Fight9Spellbound10Follow Your Heart originally recorded in San Bernardino, California at the US Festival in May 1983. This historic festival, attracting nearly 250,000 rock fans, also featured Van Halen and the Clash. Triumph had earlier released this concert on VHS following the Never Surrender tour, featuring two videos from the forthcoming Thunder Seven album. And in 2004, TML released a second DVD concert, A Night of Triumph, filmed in January 1987 at Halifax Metro Centre during The Sport of Kings tour. The most comprehensive Triumph anthology, Livin' for the Weekend: Anthology, was issued in 2005. A CD of extended versions of some of the band's most popular hits called Extended Versions: Triumph was released in 2006.
In the 1980s, Moore opened and operated Metalworks Studios in Mississauga, originally for Triumph's exclusive use; more recently the company has been training engineers and sound technicians for Canada's music industry.
Reunions with Rik Emmett (2007–present)
On March 10, 2007 Triumph was inducted to the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame in a ceremony at Toronto's Fairmont Royal York Hotel. All members of the "classic" group line-up (Emmett, Moore, Levine) were present for the event. Although there were no plans for a Triumph reunion, and Moore had taken on a full-time career at Metalworks, the band members didn't rule out future collaborations; Nick Blagona, for example, mastered Emmett's latest hard rock project, Airtime (2007), in the Metalworks mastering suite.
On April 6, 2008 Triumph was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame as part of the Juno Awards.
In 2008 Triumph's classic line-up performed live for the first time since 1988 with two reunion concerts: the first on June 7 at the Sweden Rock Festival in Solvesborg, Sweden, and the second on July 11 at the Rocklahoma music festival in Pryor, Oklahoma.
In 2011 the band reissued Allied Forces as a vinyl package for their 30th anniversary.
On July 14, 2011 Triumph Lane in Mississauga, ON, was officially dedicated in honour of the band.
On August 28, 2012 the band released a CD+DVD package of their June 7, 2008 reunion concert in Sweden, titled Live at Sweden Rock Festival, on Frontiers Records in Europe and on the TML label in Canada and the United States.
In 2013 Triumph was inducted into Legends Row at the inaugural ceremony held at Mississauga City Hall.
In 2016 Rik Emmett released the album RES9, which included the song "Grand Parade", on which Gil Moore played drums and Mike Levine played bass. The song is a ballad reminiscent of "Suitcase Blues" and even includes the line "Me, I'm hanging out with Johnny Walker once again."
In 2019 Triumph were named Legends Of Live at the 2019 Live Music Industry Awards at Canadian Music Week.
On November 16, 2019 Triumph performed together for the first time in eleven years at an invite-only event at Metalworks Studios in Mississauga, Ontario, where they played three songs — "When the Lights Go Down", "Lay It on the Line", and "Magic PowerMagic PowerSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Magic Power3:572Hot Time (in This City Tonight)3:20" — in front of approximately 300 "superfans" in attendance. This Superfan Fantasy performance was taped for the Banger Films documentary Triumph: Rock 'n Roll Machine. That same month, Triumph were inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame. When asked if the band will perform again in the future, Emmett said, "I think we're gonna try and do it every 11 years or so. That's the length of time it had been since we did a reunion in Sweden."
On September 10, 2021 Triumph: Rock & Roll Machine documentary debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The same month the band was inducted into The Metal Hall of Fame alongside Stryper, legacy members of Kiss and Iron Maiden, and photographer Mark Weiss.
On June 5, 2025 it was announced that Triumph would reunite for its first public performance in seventeen years on the following day, which was held as a free concert ahead of the Edmonton Oilers' second Stanley Cup final game against the Florida Panthers, with The Glorious Sons headlining. Bassist Mike Levine was unable to perform due to a doctor's appointment, and Emmett and Moore were joined by Brent Fitz, Todd Kerns (of Toque and Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators) and former Triumph guitarist Phil X.
On June 6, 2025 Round Hill Music released Magic Power: All-Star Tribute to Triumph, featuring Sebastian Bach, Dee Snider, Joey Belladonna, Lawrence Gowan and many others on a Triumph tribute album.
On December 9, 2025 Triumph (with Emmett and Moore once again joined by Brent Fitz, Phil X and Todd Kerns) announced that they would be embarking on their first North American tour together in more than three decades during the spring and summer of 2026, with April Wine serving as special guests; despite being promoted as a reunion tour for the original lineup, Levine did not appear on the North American leg due to health concerns, though Emmett has stated that he is welcome to participate "if he can claim it". The tour started at Hard Rock Live in Orlando, Florida on April 10, 2026 in conjunction with the Celebration Exotic Car Festival. The concert benefited the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Derek Sharp (from Gowan) filled in for Phil X on April 28, 2026 at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia and on April 29 at Avenir Centre in Moncton, New Brunswick.
In August 2026 it was announced that Triumph (again joined by April Wine) would be extending the 50th anniversary tour into the late fall.
Philanthropy
Since the group's inception, individually and collectively, Triumph have contributed time, energy, music, facilities, equipment and funds in support of a wide range of charitable, educational and humanitarian causes.
Triumph's largest single charitable contribution was its final appearance at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, January 22, 1987. Staged by Gary Slaight for the "Sounds United" campaign of the United Way of Canada, Greater Toronto Division, all proceeds of $179,356.66 were donated. More recently, the trio has raised over $250,000 (and still counting) with its Signed Guitars Program. Since 2009 Triumph has signed over 100 Fender guitars and donated them to various charities for live and silent auctions, raising between $1,500 and $6,500 each. Individually, Emmett has also contributed guitars for Kids With Cancer, CNIB Ride For Sight and Barrett House Aids Hospice.
In 2011 Triumph donated their music and business archives to the University of Toronto Libraries.
Moore, Levine and Emmett have participated, together and separately, in many major fundraising events, including the latter's appearance on "Tears Are Not Enough", the Canadian music industry single for Ethiopian Famine Release in 1985, which would eventually raise over $3.5 million. Moore, along with Tom Cochrane and Rush's Alex Lifeson, and others, served on the committee which spearheaded the tsunami relief effort, Canada for Asia, in 2005.
Other causes Triumph and Metalworks have supported and/or sponsored include: MusiCounts, Rock Star for a Day Program, the Children's Wish Foundation, Canada's Walk of Fame Emerging Artist Program, Canadian Music Week National Songwriting Contests, many High School Battle of the Bands, Full Circle, Camp Rock, Bike for Betty, and Friends of We Care – Easter Seals. The state-of-the-art facilities at Metalworks Studios have also been donated many times to help causes, including the Canadian Live 8 concert, held in Barrie, Ontario on July 2, 2005.
In 1996 Triumph donated royalties from one million units of the song "Magic PowerMagic PowerSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Magic Power3:572Hot Time (in This City Tonight)3:20" on the certified Diamond "Oh What a Feeling: A Vital Collection of Canadian Music" compilation CD in support of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Science and Juno Award, as they have done many times in support of charitable initiatives. Moore has participated in and donated Triumph autographed guitars to celebrity golf fundraising tournaments, Levine has bowled for TJ Martell Foundation and Emmett regularly performs at fundraisers for many causes, including AIDS, Food Bank and Shelter benefits.
In 2013 Emmett was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for Community Service and Moore was given a star on the Mississauga Music Walk of Fame for contributions to education and community support. Metalworks Production Group was given the 2014 Sam McCallion Small Business Community Involvement Award by the Mississauga Board of Trade. Metalworks Institute coordinates volunteers for Make Music Matter, a Calgary-based charity (formerly Song For Africa), by going to Africa and sharing their technological and musical training. In May 2015, Moore Received the Mississauga Arts Council, Laurie Pallett Patron of the Arts, MARTY Award for his contributions to the Mississauga arts community. In April 2016, Moore received the Mississauga Board of Trade, Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to business in Mississauga and the community.
The group members have also served on various boards over the years. In 2014, Moore joined the Advisory Boards of Music Canada and CAAMA (Canadian Association for the Advancement of Music and the Arts) and Levine serves on the board of directors and advisory board for the Musicians' Rights Organization Canada (MROC). In the past Emmett has served on the Advisory Boards at Humber College and the Songwriters Association of Canada. Moore has also served on the executive board at Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Science (CARAS) as well as the Toronto Musicians Association (TMA).
On April 10, 2026 the band started its Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded tour in Orlando, Florida, with a concert to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Musical style
The band's style is progressive rock, drawing comparisons to fellow Canadian band Rush. AllMusic describes the sound as "high-tech" and "melodic".
Band members
Current members
Mike Levine – bass, keyboards, synthesizer, piano, backing vocals (1975–1993, 2008, 2019, 2025–present; not touring 2025–present)
Gil Moore – drums, percussion, lead and backing vocals (1975–1993, 2008, 2019, 2025–present)
Rik Emmett – guitar, lead and backing vocals, synthesizer, keyboards, bass (1975–1988, 2008, 2019, 2025–present)
Current touring members
Phil X – guitar, lead and backing vocals (2025–present; full member 1992–1993)
Todd Kerns – bass, lead and backing vocals (2025–present)
Brent Fitz – drums, backing vocals, keyboards (2025–present)
Derek Sharp – guitar, backing and lead vocals (2026)
Abernathy Shagnaster members
Tom Lafferty – guitar (1975)
Freddie Keeler – guitar (1975)
Peter Young – keyboards, organ (1975)
Abel McKnight – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1975)
Former touring members
Rick Santers – guitar, keyboards, backing and lead vocals (1984–1993)
Sebastian Bach – lead vocals (guested with the band on some shows in 1993)
Dave Dunlop – guitar, backing vocals (2008, 2019)
Session members
Discography & profile
Normalised profile
Percentiles are computed over every artist in the database, so a tier-3 artist can still sit in the 95th percentile on a single axis.
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 13 | 67.6th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 34 | 91.4th |
| Studio albums | 12 | 92.8th |
| Awards recorded | 2 | 92.6th |
| Timeline events | 25 | 95.6th |
| Recording span (years) | 50 | 90.9th |
| Genres | 9 | 95.7th |
Percentiles are computed at render time; missing values mean the artist has no data on that axis.
Discography (34 release groups · 12 studio albums)
Albums · 12
1976 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 9 tracks · 39:29
A124 Hours a Day4:26A2Be My Lover3:18A3Don't Take My Life4:59A4Street Fighter3:29A5Street Fighter (Reprise)2:58B1What's Another Day of Rock & Roll4:48B2Easy Life3:53B3Let Me Get Next to You3:01B4Blinding Light Show - Moonchild8:371977 · studio album
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Tracklist · 8 tracks · 39:53
A1Takes Time3:48A2Bringing It On Home4:35A3Little Texas Shaker3:24A4New York City Streets: Part 13:09A5New York City Streets: Part 24:40B1The City: Part 1: War March / Part 2: El Duende Agonizante / Part 3: Minstrel's Lament9:20B2Rocky Mountain Way4:04B3Rock & Roll Machine6:531979 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 8 tracks · 36:23
A1Movin’ On4:11A2Lay It on the Line4:05A3Young Enough to Cry6:05A4American Girls4:52B1Just a Game6:18B2Fantasy Serenade1:40B3Hold On6:09B4Suitcase Blues3:031980 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 9 tracks · 41:31
A1I Live for the Weekend5:19A2I Can Survive4:02A3In the Night6:17A4Nature's Child5:43B1Woman in Love4:42B2Take My Heart3:33B3Tear the Roof Off4:30B4Fingertalking2:01B5Hard Road5:241981 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 9 tracks · 38:18
A1Fool for Your Love4:28A2Magic Power4:48A3Air Raid1:18A4Allied Forces5:01A5Hot Time (in This City Tonight)3:20B1Fight the Good Fight6:20B2Ordinary Man7:24B3Petite Etude1:12B4Say Goodbye4:271983 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 40:16
1Too Much Thinking5:392A World of Fantasy5:073A Minor Prelude0:424All the Way3:455Battle Cry5:006Overture (Procession)1:547Never Surrender6:428When the Lights Go Down5:059Writing on the Wall3:3910Epilogue (Resolution)2:431984 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 41:21
A1Spellbound5:14A2Rock Out, Roll On5:19A3Cool Down4:52A4Follow Your Heart3:29B1Time Goes By6:02B2Midsummer's Daydream1:38B3Time Canon1:33B4Killing Time4:20B5Stranger in a Strange Land5:16B6Little Boy Blues3:381986 · studio album
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Tracklist · 11 tracks · 42:55
1Tears in the Rain3:562Somebody's Out There4:053What Rules My Heart3:554If Only4:035Hooked on You3:246Take a Stand4:337Just One Night3:418Embrujo (instrumental)1:299Play With the Fire5:2010Don't Love Anybody Else but Me3:5411In the Middle of the Night4:351987 · studio album
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Tracklist · 12 tracks · 45:29
1Prologue: Into the Forever1:022Never Say Never3:383Headed for Nowhere6:104All the King's Horses1:475Carry on the Flame5:176Let the Light (Shine on Me)5:357Long Time Gone5:128Rock You Down3:599Prelude: The Waking Dream1:1310On and On3:4911All Over Again3:5912Running in the Night3:481992 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 47:23
1Child of the City5:042Troublemaker4:073It's Over4:214Edge of Excess4:455Turn My Back On Love4:066Ridin' High Again4:567Black Sheep5:258Boy's Night Out5:199Somewhere Tonight4:3510Love in a Minute4:45Magic Power: All Star Tribute to Triumph
2025 · studio album
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Tracklist · 15 tracks · 1:09:43
124 Hours a Day1:222Rock & Roll Machine4:513Magic Power5:284Spellbound4:565Lay It on the Line4:136Somebody’s Out There4:297Never Surrender6:478Hold On5:259Just One Night4:0510I Live for the Weekend3:5111Fight the Good Fight4:4912Follow Your Heart4:0613Allied Forces4:2014Blinding Light Show4:1615Fight the Good Fight (Encore)6:45— · studio album
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Tracklist · 9 tracks · 39:37
124 Hours A Day4:352Be My Lover3:173Don't Take My Life4:454Street Fighter3:305Street Fighter Reprise3:026What's Another Day Of Rock N Roll4:497Easy Life3:568Let Me Get Next To You3:009Blinding Light Show/Moonchild8:43
Single · 7
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Hold OnSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 2 tracks · 8:471Hold On2:59 2Just A Game5:48 | 1979 | ||
| 1981 | Magic PowerSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 2 tracks · 7:171Magic Power3:57 2Hot Time (in This City Tonight)3:20 | 1981 | ||
| 1982 | A World of FantasySearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 2 tracks · 9:071A World of Fantasy3:57 2Too Much Thinking5:10 | 1982 | ||
| 1985 | SpellboundSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 2 tracks · 9:401Spellbound4:28 2Spellbound5:12 | January 1985 | ||
| 1985 | Follow Your HeartSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 2 tracks · 8:321Follow Your Heart3:21 2Stranger in a Strange Land5:11 | March 1985 | ||
| 1986 | Somebody's Out ThereSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 2 tracks · 7:43ASomebody’s Out There3:49 BWhat Rules My Heart3:54 | August 1986 | ||
| 1987 | Just One NightSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 2 tracks · 6:51AJust One Night3:28 BHooked on You3:23 | January 1987 |
Album · 15
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Album Oriented Rock 'N' Roll - Allied ForcesSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracksDisc 1 1Say Goodbye 2Blinding Light Show / Moonchild 3I Can Survive 4Fool for Your Love 5Ordinary Man 6I Live for the Weekend 7Hold On 8Lay It on the Line Disc 2CAllied Forces Radio Special DAllied Forces Radio Special | Compilation,Interview | 1982 | |
| 1984 | Precious Metal VirtuosoSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 7 tracks · 41:281Too Much Thinking5:37 2Never Surrender6:25 3Magic Power5:56 4World of Fantasy8:16 5When the Lights Go Down5:13 6I Live for the Weekend5:34 7Hot Time4:27 | Live | 1984 | |
| 1985 | StagesSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 13 tracks · 1:10:001When the Lights Go Down5:58 2Never Surrender6:45 3Hold On4:25 4Magic Power6:10 5Rock and Roll Machine10:26 6Lay It on the Line5:06 7A World of Fantasy4:19 8Midsummer's Daydream2:46 9Spellbound3:58 10Follow Your Heart3:38 11Fight the Good Fight7:36 12Mind Games4:47 13Empty Inside4:06 | Live | 14 October 1985 | |
| 1986 | ClassicsSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 11 tracks · 55:211Tears in the Rain3:54 2Hold On6:06 3I Live for the Weekend5:18 4Magic Power4:54 5Follow Your Heart3:28 6A World of Fantasy5:03 7Fight the Good Fight6:20 8Spellbound5:13 9Somebody's Out There4:05 10Lay It on the Line4:05 11Rock 'n' Roll Machine6:55 | Compilation | 1986 | |
| 1995 | King Biscuit Flower Hour: TriumphSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 13 tracks · 1:11:411Tear the Roof Off5:02 2American Girls4:53 3Lay It on the Line4:55 4Allied Forces3:50 5Fight the Good Fight5:24 6Blinding Light Show, Moonchild12:29 7Rock n’ Roll Machine9:44 8I Live for the Weekend2:20 9Nature’s Child4:13 10Drum Solo3:45 11Instrumental5:10 12Rocky Mountain Way5:24 13Hot Time in the City Tonight4:32 | Live | 1995 | |
| 2003 | Live at the US FestivalSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks1Allied Forces 2Lay It on the Line 3Never Surrender 4Magic Power 5A World of Fantasy 6Rock and Roll Machine 7When the Lights Go Down 8Fight the Good Fight 9Spellbound 10Follow Your Heart | Live | 23 September 2003 | |
| 2005 | Livin' for the WeekendSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 28 tracks · 2:22:07Disc 1 124 Hours a Day4:26 2Street Fighter6:31 3Blinding Light Show/Moonchild8:42 4Takes Time3:48 5New York City Streets7:52 6Rocky Mountain Way4:06 7Lay It on the Line4:04 8Hold On6:04 9I Live for the Weekend5:17 10I Can Survive4:00 11Fool for Your Love4:29 12Allied Forces5:06 13Fight the Good Fight6:30 Disc 21Magic Power4:54 2Too Much Thinking5:38 3When the Lights Go Down5:05 4Follow Your Heart3:35 5Spellbound (live)3:58 6Mind Games4:48 7Tears in the Rain3:55 8Somebody's Out There4:05 9Just One Night3:41 10Never Say Never3:38 11Headed for Nowhere6:07 12Carry on the Flame5:16 13Long Time Gone5:15 14Never Surrender (live)6:39 15Love Hurts4:38 | Compilation | 10 May 2005 | |
| 2006 | Extended VersionsSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks · 54:401When The Lights Go Down5:08 2Tear The Roof Off4:13 3Lay It On The Line4:48 4Rock & Roll Machine2:40 5Guitarinator8:40 6Nature's Child4:43 7Drummers Elbo6:31 8Never Surrender6:39 9Magic Power5:50 10Fight The Good Fight5:28 | Compilation,Live | 2006 | |
| 2009 | Magic PowersSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 37 tracks · 2:24:31Disc 1 124 Hours a Day4:29 2Street Fighter/Street Fighter (reprise)6:30 3Takes Time3:49 4Bringing It on Home4:36 5Rock & Roll Machine6:58 6Lay It on the Line4:05 7Fantasy Serenade1:41 8Hold On6:06 9Suitcase Blues3:04 10I Can Survive3:58 11Woman in Love4:40 12Finger Talkin’1:59 13Hard Road5:25 14Magic Power4:55 15Fight the Good Fight3:24 16Petite Etude1:16 17Say Goodbye4:34 Disc 21A World of Fantasy5:01 2A Minor Prelude0:41 3All the Way3:42 4When the Lights Go Down5:06 5Spellbound5:14 6Follow Your Heart3:35 7Midsummer’s Daydream1:40 8Killing Time4:17 9Tears in the Rain3:55 10Embrujo1:29 11Play With the Fire5:18 12Don’t Love Anybody but Me3:55 13Never Say Never3:38 14All the King’s Horses1:46 15Carry on the Flame5:18 16Prelude: The Waking Dream1:10 17On and On3:47 18Child of the City5:03 19Troublemaker4:06 20It’s Over4:21 | Compilation | 2009 | |
| 2010 | Greatest Hits RemixedSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 14 tracks · 1:11:301Allied Forces5:08 2Lay It on the Line4:06 3Follow Your Heart3:40 4Magic Power4:52 5I Live for the Weekend5:16 6Hold On6:06 7Just One Night3:35 8Fight the Good Fight6:22 9Spellbound5:10 10Never Surrender6:45 11When the Lights Go Down5:02 12Somebody's Out There4:00 13Rock and Roll Machine6:59 14Love Hurts4:29 | Compilation | 18 May 2010 | |
| 2010 | Diamond CollectionSearch SpotifySearch YouTube Music | Compilation | 3 December 2010 | |
| 2012 | Live at Sweden Rock FestivalSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 20 tracks · 1:08:34Disc 1 1When the Lights Go Down5:37 2Lay It on the Line6:52 3Allied Forces5:07 4Never Surrender6:29 5I Live for the Weekend4:40 6Blinding Light Show10:22 7Rocky Mountain Way6:22 8Magic Power5:45 9Rock & Roll Machine9:50 10Fight the Good Fight7:30 Disc 21When the Lights Go Down 2Lay It on the Line 3Allied Forces 4Never Surrender 5I Live for the Weekend 6Blinding Light Show 7Rocky Mountain Way 8Magic Power 9Rock & Roll Machine 10Fight the Good Fight | Live | 28 August 2012 | |
| 2017 | A Night Of TriumphSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 12 tracks · 1:21:221Tears In The Rain5:35 2Somebody's Out There4:42 3Allied Forces5:31 4Lay It On The Line6:55 5Midsummer's Daydream1:58 6Follow Your Heart5:54 7Take A Stand9:57 8Magic Power6:42 9Rock N' Roll Machine7:05 10Spellbound11:14 11Rocky Mountain Way7:15 12Fight The Good Fight8:34 | Live | 2017 | |
| 2021 | Triumph: Rock and Roll MachineSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 31 tracks · 2:27:14124 Hours A Day4:29 2Allied Forces5:04 3Lay It On The Line4:05 4Magic Power4:54 5Hard Road5:25 6Suitcase Blues3:04 7When The Lights Go Down5:06 8Hold On6:05 9Blinding Light Show / Moon Child Medley10:21 10Don't Take My Life5:02 11What's Another Day of Rock'n'Roll4:51 12Rock'n'Roll Machine6:58 13Rocky Mountain Way6:21 14Movin' On4:07 15American Girls5:03 16Just A Game6:13 17Hot Time (In This City Tonight)3:24 18Fight The Good Fight6:31 19Never Surrender6:41 20A World Of Fantasy5:01 21Spellbound5:14 22Embrujo1:29 23Just One Night3:40 24Somebody's Out There4:04 25Midsummer's Daydream1:40 26Never Say Never3:38 27Say Goodye4:34 28Child Of The City5:03 29Time Canon1:33 30I Can Survive3:58 31Follow Your Heart3:36 | Compilation | 10 September 2021 | |
| 2026 | The Best of TriumphSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks · 40:401Lay It on the Line (single edit)3:43 2Magic Power (single edit)4:01 3All the Way3:45 4Follow Your Heart (single edit)3:22 5Fight the Good Fight6:33 6A World of Fantasy (single edit)4:02 7Hold On (single edit)3:04 8I Can Survive (single edit)3:48 9Spellbound (single edit)4:32 10Somebody's Out There (single edit)3:50 | Compilation | 12 June 2026 |
Stats & PK
Percentile within all 23,672 published artists.Put Triumph head-to-head →
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 13 | 67.6th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 34 | 91.4th |
| Studio albums | 12 | 92.8th |
| Awards recorded | 2 | 92.6th |
| Timeline events | 25 | 95.6th |
| Recording span (years) | 50 | 90.9th |
| Genres | 9 | 95.7th |
Awards & honours
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Canadian Music Hall of Fame | lifetime | |
| 2008 | Canadian Music Hall of Fame | lifetime |
Line-up
| Name | From | To | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gil Moore | 1975 | 1988 | background vocals,bass guitar,bass pedals,clavinet,guitar,lap steel guitar,lead vocals,original,resonator guitar,slide guitar,synthesizer |
| Mike Levine | 1975 | 1993 | background vocals,bass guitar,bass pedals,clavinet,keyboard,organ,original,piano,synthesizer |
| Rik Emmett | 1975 | 1993 | background vocals,drums (drum set),lead vocals,original,percussion |
| Phil X | 1992 | 1993 | guitar |
| Gil Moore | 2008 | present | original |
| Mike Levine | 2008 | present | original |
| Rik Emmett | 2008 | present | original |
Where this record comes from
portrait—Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Triumph_at_sweden_rock%2C_2008.JPGaliases/urls—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/5ba43ff1-f124-4b94-aed8-6428bd90bdd4discography—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/5ba43ff1-f124-4b94-aed8-6428bd90bdd4core—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1849053genre—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1849053seed-list—wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph_%28band%29biography—wikipedia-en · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph_%28band%29
Why this artist is in the database
- List of heavy metal bands — rank #264
Triumph | Canada | 1975–1993, 2008–present |
- List of Canadian musicians
Tier rule: curated genre/region list
Image: Knipil · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Wikidata: Q1849053 · MusicBrainz: 5ba43ff1-f124-4b94-aed8-6428bd90bdd4
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