Triumph’s Return to St. Louis Was Epic at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater Sunday
–by Sean Derrick
When bands do reunion tours that usually means the prime member lineup. For triumph, it means everyone. Performing at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater in St. Louis on Sunday as part of their Rok & Roll Machine Reloaded reunion tour the Canadian power trio became so much more.
In town for the first time since 1993, and the first time with vocalist/guitarist Rik Emmett since 1986, Triumph is touring with all of their original members for the first time since 1988. Yes, they performed together for a few spot reunions shows in 2008 and 2025, but this is their first full tour together in nearly 40 years. (Did you get all that?) So, you can see why this is kind of a big deal for fans.
For the Canadian leg of the tour all three were present, however for the first few shows of the US tour bassist Mike Levine has had to sit out some show due to complications with Multiple Sclerosis and arthritis, the former of which is causing hand tremors and making it extremely difficult to play live. Unfortunately, but understandably, Levine was absent from the St. Louis show Sunday. In his place the band has brought along Todd Kerns to play when Levine is unable to perform.
Kerns is not some schlub fill-in. There is a reason Kerns was handpicked by Levine to handle his parts and more. The veteran bassist/vocalist held down the elaborate bass lines Levine initiated with vigor and energy and even threw in strong lead vocals on “Spellbound”, which were normally sung by drummer/vocalist Gil Moore.
Kerns even paid tribute to Levine in a quiet way by coming out for the second half of the show wearing a Blues hockey jersey (the white home, at that time, jersey from 1995-1998 – so glad it wasn’t the away dark one with the red splash clown jersey, but that is for another conversation.). Anyway, Levine has for decades been known for wearing the local hockey team’s jersey at whatever city they played in. Kerns has picked up that mantle in honor of Levine. Well done!
Even though Emmett and Moore are both in their 70’s they each played with more energy I have being 20 years younger. That is especially true for Moore, who multiple times came out from behind the drum kit to sing lead and work the crowd. For this the band brought along veteran drummer/keyboardist Brent Fitz to allow Moore to more freely work the crowd while providing a more intense drumming sound on certain songs. Emmett’s voice was in top form and his guitar playing was superb, not too shabby for someone who is 72 (yes, it’s obvious that I am envious).
The band also brought former Triumph guitarist/vocalist, and current Bon Jovi guitarist, Phil X to enhance the live sound as well. The resulting dynamic is Triumph on steroids. Their sound rips through your chest, pounds around in your head, and exits out your mouth forcing you to gleefully sing along. All while maintaining that same Triumph live standard the band has been known for all of these years.
When Emmett left the band in 1988 Moore and Levine recruited Phil X to record their 1992 album Edge of Success and tour, taking over Emmett’s parts. Most bands when they reunite kind of toss the replacement to the side (thanks for filling in, don’t let the door hit ya on the way out), but with Triumph Phil X is now family and the combo of Emmett and Phil X live is exhilarating. I love that and shows that musicians can put aside their egos for the best experience for the fans, and yes, this is it.
From absolutely nailing the major songs the band is known for in “Lay It On the Line”, “Magic Power” and “Somebody’s Out There” to bringing deep cuts like “I Live for the Weekend” and “Blinding Light Show” to the forefront, Triumph was magical from start to finish.
A poignant moment of the evening came when Moore, out from behind the drums, led the crowd to wish Levine well wishes and a speedy return in front of a montage of Levine images and videos.
Emmett joked about his wife pushing him into the tour after he mentioned he would have to get back into shape, and having to follow Phil X’s terrific solo (Don’t worry, Rik, your 8-minute solo was phenomenal. He also joked about how Moore told him during rehearsals that he expected him to play a solo note for note how he recorded it in 1977 and Emmett’s hilarious response back to him made the show feel less structured and more like a fun jam session for family. With most of the past main family in attendance performing, it certainly felt that way.
Fellow Canadians April Wine opened with a vigorous 40-minute set that included “I Like to Rock” and “Just Between You and Me”. Guitarist/vocalist Marc Parent seemed to have original vocalist Myles Goodwin’s spirit emanating through him.
Be sure to check out the interactive photo album below, after the setlists.
Triumph Setlist:
When the Lights Go Down
Somebody’s Out There
Spellbound
Hold On
Allied Forces
Blinding Light Show
Rock & Roll Machine
Rocky Mountain Way (Joe Walsh Cover)
Never Surrender
Lay It on the Line
24 Hours a Day (Intro snippet only, Rik solo)
Follow Your Heart
Encore:
I Live for the Weekend
Fight the Good Fight
April Wine Setlist:
I Like to Rock
Big City Girls
All Over Town
Say Hello
Enough is Enough
Before the Dawn
Shotdown
Just Between You and Me
Sign of the Gypsy Queen (Lorence Hud cover)
Roller
