Guitarist Rikk Emmett (Triumph) sat down with Ultimate Guitar for an interview, where he discussed the challenges bands like Van Halen had faced in meeting fan expectations.
In the interview, Emmett said:
“It turns out that perhaps what attributed to the strength and focus of Triumph’s performance that day was that they didn’t have much time to plan, plot, or party beforehand. For Triumph, we had played the day before in Orlando, Florida with ZZ Top.
”Climbed on a plane, flew across the country, had a little nap, got up, got in the helicopter, got to the gig, and got ourselves sort of ‘stage ready.’ The other guys in the band didn’t like gigs where we were playing without necessarily having our lights and our special effects and stuff.”
About Van Halen, Rikk Emmett also said:
“We were the outlier band. All these other bands were, like, really heavy. Motley Crue was on the rise up and they were definitely a kind of ‘live-for-today party band.’ And there was kind of a heavy quality to everybody, including the headliner, Van Halen.
”Who, I think the consensus was they didn’t have a great day because maybe there had been too much partying over the course of the long day back in their pavilion and their enclave. So, by the time they got out late at night, that was not necessarily one of their better moments.”
4 comments
Sorry, that’s the point. Van Halen concerts is a great big party, and they are the hosts. And not expected to play soberingly polished, like Rush.
But like almost every other band in rock, history, triumph never touched the greatness of the recording artist of Van Halen. Van Halen only made their money by being on the road, Warner Bros. set them up for a one-sided, terrible record deal for the artist. One of the biggest reasons Van Halen has poor quality. Documentation of the concept is because they had to pay for everything. I give them all the elbow room in the world. We’re just having a good time and sharing it with the audience in those days. David Lee Ross was the greatest front man in American rock history with the exception of maybe Elvis or Stevie Tyler.
Risk
Although your good even on their worst day Van halen out performed and out sold Triumph.
How many albums did your band make?? I can o lyrics think of 2 or 3.
How well know is Triumph???
Sadly Rikk, I am skilled enough to replace you..lol.
Funny how a warm up act to Van Halen talks poorly of them.
Why was it that you weren’t the headliner???
Eddie is a A rated musician whereas you are a B rated.
I was there. Rik is right on the money. VH was terrible.
I for one am more interested in the music as opposed to partying. I love VH but I’m happy to listen to the recorded music. One thing some you need to realize is music is not a competitive sport. Triumph was an incredible band period. Rick is very very talented period. Don’t try to ignore the great albums from a great band with music that lasts. I respect both vh and triumph.
All Rikk said was VH were off thier game, which is an honest statement.
No need to attack Rikk because your hero worship has been shook up with a simple honest statement . I can tell right now I personally am done playing with those who don’t act professionally while performing. Now as much as I love Ed’s music and VH I appreciate honesty. Blind hero worship and the musical Olympics is for teenagers. I would never diss Rikk or Triumph as the music speaks for itself. VH rocks and Triumph rocks period.
Thanks for your honest Mr Emmett.