Phil X recently opened up about his experience joining Triumph for their upcoming reunion tour. He shared details about his collaboration with original member Rik Emmett in a statement to Guitar Player
The guitarist reflected on his earlier work with the band and how the recent reunion came together.
“When I was recording with Triumph, it was a weird thing, like, How is this going to work without Rik?” Phil X said. “We only did 11 shows, and then the record got dropped by the label. It was bad timing, because grunge was exploding.”
Phil X explained how the current reunion began with a special performance at an NHL playoff game.
“I didn’t get to know Rik until June of this year,” he continued. “Rik and Gil [Moore, drums] were going to reunite Triumph to play three songs before this NHL playoff game in Edmonton, and they asked me to join them. I contacted Todd [Kerns, bass] and Brent [Fitz, keyboards], and — literally, the night before — we went into this rehearsal space, and played ‘Lay It On the Line,’ ‘Allied Forces’ and ‘Fight the Good Fight.'”
The guitarist praised Rik Emmett’s musical knowledge and described their chemistry on stage.
“When we played at the game, the crowd went nuts, and we thought, ‘Wow, maybe we should keep doing this,'” Phil X said. “I gotta tell you, Rik has his phrases and is so funny, and he talks musically. He knows what he’s talking about more than I do. People go, ‘Is that Dorian?’ I’m like, ‘What?’ I don’t know anything. I just do it. [laughs]”
“But that night in Edmonton was the first time we’d played together, and he played his ass off,” he added. “It was so much fun, man. We’re going out for the 50th anniversary next year, and I’m so excited about it. I can’t wait.”
The successful Edmonton performance has now led to a major announcement that marks a significant milestone for the Canadian rock legends.
Ultimate Classic Rock reported that Triumph has officially announced their first full tour in over three decades with “The Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded” tour starting April 22, 2026, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The 24-city North American tour will conclude on June 6 in Boston. This marks the band’s return to the stage after a 33-year hiatus from touring.
The reunion lineup will feature all three original members – Rik Emmett, Gil Moore, and Mike Levine – alongside the new additions. Loudwire confirmed that Phil X will be joined by Brent Fitz on keyboards and Todd Kerns on bass. Both musicians currently work with Slash’s band and are on loan from Bon Jovi, creating a six-piece configuration for the anniversary shows.
The tour announcement comes as Triumph celebrates five decades since their formation. This makes the reunion particularly meaningful for longtime fans. Eddie Trunk revealed that April Wine will serve as the opening act across all dates. This adds another layer of Canadian rock heritage to the tour package.
This marks a remarkable comeback for Triumph, who last toured extensively in 1993 before going on an extended hiatus. The band’s decision to reunite for their 50th anniversary demonstrates the enduring appeal of their classic rock sound and the strong chemistry that Phil X described from their Edmonton performance.
