Second show of this 50th anniversary tour at the approximately 7,000 seat Hard Rock Live Hollywood in Florida. Bassist Mike Levine was not at this show as well (it was announced prior to start of ticket sales that he would be at select shows; he’s been recovering from whatever health issues that he has had; Rik Emmett gave him a shout out at 1:30:45). Additionally, from various interviews the band members have done over the past several months, these productions are meant to scale (a few of the larger arena sized shows are supposed to have a larger production). The added members was also a known; it’s an acknowledgement they needed assistance to cover parts which they can no longer do by themselves (having also been out of any sort of long term touring with this level of production since 1988).
Guitarist Rik Emmett also was very transparent in various interviews from the time of the announcement that he’d be letting guitarist Phil X take the lead (guitars and vocals). Even since Emmett’s last solo shows (well over 7 years ago), his vocal range has definitely gotten lower (he therefore sang a lot of those songs in a lower key). One of the other reasons he retired was the arthritis he’s been experiencing in his hands (you wouldn’t know it from these first shows). As he also mentioned in those interviews, he’s long wanted to see drummer Gil Moore out front singing lead for those songs he sang lead on (now that they have a second drummer to also fill in for parts that Moore can no longer do, that allows him to do that). And Moore did a few (with a little bit of awkwardness to it).
Some of the rough edges from the first show were ironed out including a short “movie” (which did not play at the Orlando show). For those expecting that old 3/4 piece Triumph with Emmett belting out those high notes, this is not what these shows are about. It really is about overcoming the past split, the unlikelihood that they would even go back out on tour again (after the two shows in 2008), and then finding a new formula that would work which would allow them to perform some of these songs live again.
For those of us who have long been fans of this band, just seeing them playing together in some capacity is a fitting way to put a bookend to their career. The music they created has most definitely endured where seeing these initial shows (imperfect as it may be) and seeing Rik and Gil having fun, was really the highlight. And the other three guys; they could definitely carry on the Triumph legacy if Gil, Mike, and Rik give their blessing. I know for purists, it’s not the same without the original members (like there are many who see this as a glorified cover band and that maybe it shouldn’t have happened). Myself, I see this as them at least trying to give their dedicated fans that one bookending tour.
One personal note, I absolutely got chills when he did the melodic intro for 24 Hours a Day at 1:13:55 (I’m not a singer but used to sing this in this same lower key that he sang it in because it’s such a great melody).
Proceeds from both the Orlando and Hollywood Hard Rock Live shows went to the Make a Wish Foundation!
(credits: OHCY)
