1984 - San Francisco CA - Opening band was some schlock act called "Angel City." One of the worst bands I've ever seen. Got horrible reaction from audience, all hungry to see T roll out their Thunder 7 set.
1988 - San Jose CA - Marriots Great America! (an amusement park, for god sake) Still, it proved to be a good, outdoor venue. It was more intimate, the place was packed with rabid Allied Forces who all pretty much stood through out the entire set. Had no idea the guys were close to disbanding. It sure didn't show in the way they played.
3 Times for me..
March 25, 1983 - Pittsburgh Civic Arena. Never Surrender Tour. This was my first concert, ever.. I started out at the top. I still have the stub for this one..
May 1985 ( I am fairly sure it was May) Pittsburgh Civic Arena again, T7 Tour.
October 86 (not 100% sure on the month) Johnstown War Memorial. Sport of Kings tour.
Sad to say that I have never seen Rik, solo.
TSJ:I saw Triumph 1 time at the Civic Arena in 1985 (Thunder 7). Mountain (Leslie West) was the opening act. I was 14 years old at the time and I still say to this day, that was one of the best concerts I have ever seen and I have been to alot over the years. Don't get me wrong, I like Triumph, I'm not a die hard fan but that concert just blew me away, one I'll never forget.
One of the cool things about that show was that Pittsburgh had just been named the #1 City in America by Rand McNally. THe local rock station, WDVE, hosted a sign contest at the show, with the winners getting backstage to meet the boys. I made my sign, but alas, did not win. Hundreds, maybe thousands of signs among the 9000 ish strong (sell out of available seats) was a really great thing to see and be a part of.
I was lucky to see them 3 times :
May 18, 1983 Never Surrender Tour...Nassau Coliseum, Long Island.....My 18th birthday
May 10, 1985 Thunder Seven Tour.....Meadowlands Arena, N.J.... 10th row seats in center
Nov 2, 1986 Sport Of Kings Tour.....Meadowlands Arena, N.J.... Scalped 1st row seats outside for 40 bucks !!!!!!
Saw Rik 3 times solo:
June 1996 Graffitti's in Pittsburgh, PA
March 2003 ? American Legion hall in Deer Park, L.I.....Rescheduled date from Oct. due to the death of
Rik's mom. I went to the soundcheck during the afternoon because I lived around the corner
When Rik was done, I introduced myself , said I was a huge fan for years, and I was sorry to
hear about his mom's death. Here I was talking to my idol about his family for a few minutes,
and he said how hard his dad was taking it. I really felt so sorry for Rik and his dad at that
moment. He asked me if I could get a good quality keyboard for that nights show. I went home
and made a few phone calls, but couldn't get one. Musician friends weren't home at the time.
It was so weird to talk to him in a small room about personal stuff, with no one around. I could
not believe I was talking to RIK EMMETT OF TRIUMPH, my idol when I was a teenager.He
was a very sincere a kind person during our talk, and I will never forget it.
????? Kings Club. Centereach, L.I.