Last Thursday my buddy Nazz and I went to see Canadian classic rockers Triumph at Rogers Place here in Edmonton.
We weren't too sure about buying tickets for this show as the Triumph we grew up on just wasn't going to be the same this time around. Their first tour in decades, but they aren't the power trio they used to be. Original bass player Mike Levine isn't on tour with them as he is dealing with health issues (here is hoping he will be alright), so no Mike, plus they were touring with another drummer and guitar player. So instead of the three piece they were, they were now a five piece band.
This whole Triumph reunion got started last year during the Stanley Cup playoffs when Triumph were booked to play a pre-party before an Edmonton Oilers game. I believe they only did three songs, I didn't go, so I could be wrong there. But this show they played got the ball rolling on this 50th Anniversary Tour.
Opening the show was April Wine another Canadian classic rock band originally based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Thanks to my buddy Nazz who won tickets to the show courtesy of Cruz FM, we were going. Even though a day before the show he asked if I was still in to going to the show. Because I had booked the following day off work, I was in. Neither one of us had high expectations for this show, but we were going.
We met for a few beers before the show at a local pub, therefore we only caught a little bit of the April Wine set. Which wasn't a big deal as we both didn't really care about seeing April Wine. Without lead vocalist and guitarist Myles Goodwyn is it really April Wine. Myles passed away in 2023. With Myles blessing he handed over the name and vocals to Marc Parent who now leads the band. Keeping the music alive, I guess. So without Myles there are no original members in the band anymore. The longest standing member of the band is guitarist Brian Greenway who has been in the band since 1977.
Of all the shows I have been to over the years I had never seen April Wine live before, which seems odd with them being a Canadian band and how many times they have played Edmonton, but nope, never saw them before. What we did catch of them, they were alright but it's just not the same without Myles. The songs we heard that I recall were "I Like To Rock", " Just Between You And Me", "Sign Of The Gypsy Queen" and "Roller". All big hits for the band back in the day and still get lots of airplay on Canadian radio.
It was now time to see Triumph, celebrating being a band for 50 years. This was my second time seeing Triumph in concert. The last time I saw them was New Years Eve 1986. Forty years since the last time, wow, how time flies.
Like I mentioned earlier, this time around Triumph was a five piece band. No Mike Levine on bass, instead it was Todd Kerns filling the position, Todd has played in a shit load of band like Age Of Electric, Slash's band, Toque among others. Also joining Triumph this time around was Brent Fitz on drums, Brent has played inn a shit load of bands as well, like Slash's band, Gene Simmons band, Econoline Crush and also Toque among many others. Both these guys are veteran musicians. And on guitar joining Triumph was Phil X who has toured with Triumph before back in 1992, Phil has also been on Bon Jovi's band. So all three of these members joining Triumph are Canadian musicians.
And unlike April Wine, Triumph at least had original members Rik Emmett on guitar and vocals and drummer Gil Moore. Sure they weren't the power trio that I grew up on but there they were playing the classic hits of Triumph to a crowd of my guess about 7,000.
There set opened with the song "When The Lights Go Down", great song to open with. And just like when I saw them in 1986, the light show and stage set up was awesome. And from there it was one great song after another. I forgot how many classic songs they actually have. Second song in was "Somebody's Out There" from the Sport Of Kings album. The band played songs from their whole catalog "Spellbound" and "Follow Your Heart" from the Thunder Seven album and oldies like "Fight The Good Fight"," Magic Power" and "Allied Forces" from the 1981 album Allied Forces. The title song from their 1977 album "Rock & Roll Machine". Of course they had to play the song "Lay It On The Line" a song I couldn't care if I ever heard again after they ruined the song last year during the Stanley Cup Playoffs when the song was used in a Rogers commercial that was played during every commercial break. Ughhhh, I hate when radio or TV kill a good song. So when they played that song it was my cue to go buy a beer and t-shirt. Triumph also did "Rocky Mountain Way" in which drummer Gil Moore came out from behind his drum set and did lead vocals on. I forgot how many song Gil Moore sings on, so I can see why they had another drummer playing in the band. Can't be easy at 73 doing vocals and drumming. Rik Emmett (72) was great on guitar and vocals for the songs he did sing. Every member of the band took turns on vocals. I didn't realize what a great guitar player Phil X is. All and all the whole band was great. The stage show and light show was amazing. They ended the night with a two song encore of "I Live For The Weekend" and "Fight The Good Fight". I went into this show with low expectations and left the show very pleasantly surprised! Everyone I talked to at and after the show said the same thing. Way better then they were expecting. If you have the chance to see Triumph on this tour, I highly recommend going. Good times!!!
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