Triumph drummer Gil Moore recently addressed the status of the band’s cofounder and bassist Mike Levine, who has been unable to join the group on their current reunion tour due to health issues, in an interview with WPDH.
Moore spoke candidly about Levine’s condition — described as an undetermined physical disorder — and what it means for his potential return to the stage.
“It’s just an ongoing process, hoping that he’s going to be able to rejoin. Thus far he has not,” Moore said. “I’d say [there’s] a slim chance we’ll still see him before the end of this run. I don’t want to mislead people, you know? He’s got a struggle that he’s working his way through, health-wise.”
Despite the uncertainty, Moore made clear that Levine remains close to the band and that the door is open the moment he is physically able to return.
“We think about him and we miss him every day. The minute he’s physically capable, he’ll have his bass shipped out, and he’ll be on an airplane,” Moore continued. “It’s just a matter if that’s going to happen or not. You know, I talk to him every three or four days. His son Matthew comes out about every three or four shows and we bring him up on stage [including their recent performance in the Detroit area] and he talks to the audience a little bit. [Our] fingers [are] crossed, as far as Mike’s concerned.”
Levine’s son Matthew has been representing his father at select shows during the tour, keeping the connection between the bassist and the band’s fanbase alive while his recovery continues.
Levine’s absence carries particular weight given the significance of the tour itself and what it represents for the Canadian rock legends.
Rogers Place reported that the current run is officially billed as the “Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded Tour” — the band’s first tour in roughly 30 years. The milestone outing has drawn considerable attention from longtime fans eager to see the classic lineup back on stage, making Levine’s absence all the more noticeable.
The tour is a North American run. Pabst Theater Group noted that it features fellow Canadian rock veterans April Wine as a special guest on select dates. The pairing has added an extra layer of nostalgia for audiences who grew up with both acts during the height of the classic rock era.
Triumph — composed of Moore, guitarist Rik Emmett, and Levine — built their reputation as one of Canada’s most celebrated hard rock acts throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. San Antonio Current noted that the band’s debut performance in San Antonio back in 1977 marked their first U.S. auditorium date — a testament to how early and deeply they connected with American audiences.
The reunion has been met with enthusiasm across the continent. Exclaim! reported that the tour was announced in December and has already delivered strong performances. The Calgary stop drew praise as a triumphant return for the band. The warm reception makes it clear that the demand for Triumph on the road remains strong — and that fans are holding out hope that Levine will eventually find his way back to the stage before the run concludes.
