Triumph guitarist Rik Emmett recently addressed original bassist Mike Levine’s status with the band. He discussed why Levine has not taken part in any of Triumph’s 2026 tour dates so far, in an interview with Talkin’ Rock with Meltdown.
Levine revealed in December that he has a problem with his hand that prevents him from being able to play well. Emmett spoke about Levine’s condition, his recent activities, and whether he might return to the stage.
“He didn’t make it out to the actual shows,” Emmett said. “His son came out and was at some of them, and his grandkid was out at one of them and hanging around and having some fun.”
Emmett went on to describe a recent encounter with Levine tied to an unusual honor in Canada.
“And Mike — Gil and I saw him last week in the studio,” Emmett continued. “He came out, ’cause there’s a weird thing happening here in Canada where they’re gonna put out a stamp, like a Triumph stamp is coming out by the Royal Mint. And Mike wanted to be at that meeting, man. He didn’t wanna miss that meeting. He wants to be on the stamp.”
Emmett then turned to Levine’s physical condition and his ability to perform live.
“So he can travel, and he can move, but I don’t think he can handle what it takes to be on stage,” Emmett said. “He’s still a little frail, but he’s up on his feet and he’s moving around. He doesn’t need a walker or canes or any of that stuff, and he’s looking pretty good.”
He closed with a lighter remark about Levine’s appearance.
“He’d had his mustache shaved off for a bit,” Emmett said. “It’s grown back in, so he’s not quite back to Sam Elliott territory. But I would say just give it a week — a week or two. And he’ll be looking like his good old self. There’s nobody more hirsute than Mike Levine.”
No further details have been announced regarding whether Levine will return to the stage with Triumph.
Levine’s absence comes as Triumph continues to celebrate a major milestone this year. The band’s touring schedule shows no signs of slowing down despite the bassist’s health struggles.
Triumph launched its 50th anniversary tour, dubbed The Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded Tour, this past April. The tour kicked off April 22 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and ran through a string of Canadian dates before crossing into the United States in May.
The band has since expanded the celebration with a new fall leg of the tour. The new leg is set to begin November 17 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and run through December 12 in San Diego. The extended run includes 16 additional shows across the Midwest, Southwest, and West Coast, with stops planned in Cleveland, Las Vegas, Seattle, Oakland, and Los Angeles.
The added dates underscore just how far Triumph has stretched its anniversary celebration. What began as a single North American run has turned into one of the band’s most extensive touring efforts in recent memory. Levine has been sidelined by his hand injury. The rest of the lineup has carried the 50th anniversary festivities forward on stages throughout Canada and the U.S. for much of the year.
Questions about Levine’s long-term role remain unresolved as the band pushes into its fall dates. Emmett’s comments suggest that Levine remains active and engaged with the band’s legacy off stage, from studio visits to advocating for his place on a commemorative Canadian stamp. However, the physical demands of touring still appear to be out of reach for him.
