PHILADELPHIA, Penn. - A documentary on legendary Canadian rockers Triumph is set to make its United States premiere on Saturday.
Triumph: Rock & Roll Machine, produced by Banger Films, premieres at 9:30 p.m. at the Philadelphia International Film Festival
CLICK HERE to view the trailer.
The multi-gold and platinum-selling power rock band Triumph, which includes drummer/singer Gil Moore, singer/guitarist Rik Emmett, and bassist/keyboardist Mike Levine, were one of the biggest bands in the world, selling out arenas across North America and dominating American radio and MTV in the 1980s. With hits such as “Lay It On the Line,” “Hold On,” and “Magic Power," the band was on top of the world in the 80s.
But despite being one of the world’s biggest rock bands, the group split in 1987 at the height of their fame and seemingly disappeared without explanation to their fans or media.
This documentary delves deeper into the story of 80s excess and fame while chronicling the band's reunion for what might be the very last time they play music together.
“The Triumph story was compelling to me, Marc, and the Banger team because it was an opportunity to piece together a broken puzzle,” says director Sam Dunn. “We wanted to know how and why the band dissolved at the peak of their powers.”
Triumph's roots started in 1975 when Moore and Levine had a chance meeting with Emmett that led to them forming the band and releasing their debut album in 1976. The album featured the standout track "Blinding Light Show/Moonchild" that found its way down to some DJs in San Antonio, who began playing on their radio shows.
The band was playing clubs and small halls back in Canada and were getting no interest from American promoters for spots on any rock and roll tours. That is until a chance cancellation by Sammy Hagar gave Triumph the big break they were looking for.
"There was a show in San Antonio with Sammy Hagar, The Runaways and Y&T," Levine said. "Sammy got a chance to open for I think KISS at Madison Square Garden, so he exited about 4-6 weeks before the show. Radio guys like Joe Anthony (at KMAC) were playing the heck out of our first record. We had a huge following there and were selling a lot of import records out of San Antonio. At the time, we didn't have an American record deal. So Joe suggested to the promoter that Triumph had a ready-made market in San Antonio and they should book us. We got the call to come down and headline the show and we told them 'No, we're not ready.' But they talked us into it."
So on Feb. 18, 1977, Triumph made its American debut headlining at the Municipal Auditorium in San Antonio. And the hurdles the band had to overcome to take that stage were not just logistically, but a matter of confidence.
"I remember we had to fly as much of our gear in as we could and then had to rent the rest of it," Levine said. "I don't remember EVER being that nervous for a gig as I was before we went on in San Antonio that first time. I didn't know what to expect. We were definitely out of our comfort zone. But when we walked on the stage it was like we owned the place. Everybody was on their feet, the balcony in the Municipal Auditorium was shaking. It was an incredible experience. From then on, promoters and record companies took notice of us and the word got out that Triumph can rock. San Antonio gave us our start in America and the first place we became an arena band."
In the documentary, you'll see the members of Triumph literally unbox decades worth of memories of their late-70s and 80s heyday. Filled with passionate testimonials from members of Skid Row, Styx, and more, Triumph gives the band the rightful spotlight.
CLICK HERE to get more information.