Rik Emmett recently opened up about Phil X replacing him in Triumph for the Edge of Excess record. He shared his thoughts on their upcoming collaboration for the Triumph reunion shows in an interview with Rock History Music.
The reunion marks the band’s 50th anniversary with the Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded Tour. The tour starts April 22, 2026, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. It features original members Emmett, Gil Moore, and Mike Levine alongside Phil X, bassist Todd Kerns, and drummer Brent Fitz.
The former Triumph guitarist was asked about when he first heard the album featuring his replacement. He reflected on both the musical direction and his personal relationship with Phil X.
When asked about when he heard Triumph’s album Edge of Excess featuring Phil X, Emmett responded candidly about his initial reaction.
“When it came out then there were people saying, ‘Hey, have you heard it? Hey, have you listened to this?’ I go, ‘No.’ Then it was like somebody played it for me and I kind of like, oh, okay, you know, I don’t remember much particular, but like Phil is a crazy talented guitar player and is a rock star in every sense of the of the word of the term,” Emmett said.
He went on to explain his perspective on how Phil X fit into Triumph’s musical formula.
“But he was a little out of place in the Triumph formula. Well Triumph was going to be Gil’s band. Edge of Excess was very much a Gil Moore kind of record, which I always felt that the thing about Triumph was that it needed to be leavened,” he continued.
Emmett then shared a meaningful story about his first personal encounter with Phil X at a guitar seminar in Toronto.
“I’ll tell you the story. The guy Jim Norris that used to do Canadian Musician magazine. In those days, you know he would do things like put on a seminar and it was a winter day and was in downtown Toronto at a thing and it was a guitar thing right. And he booked Phil and he booked me and I was kind of you know ostensibly sort of one of the headlinerish kind of people of this thing and Jim says to me, ‘Have you got any problem at all you know the fact that Phil’s on this?’ I go, ‘No, no I got no problem at all,'” Emmett recalled.
The guitarist described the emotional moment when he first met Phil X face-to-face.
“When we get there and we meet, you know, and I come up to him and we shake hands and when I get his hand in mine, I hold it and I lean in. And I pull him in and I go, I just want you to know, Phil, ‘There’s no one on the planet Earth that knows better what you’ve stepped into than me. And you have absolutely every bit of my sympathy and every bit of my love. I hope it goes great for you.’ I wanted to let them know I didn’t have a problem, whatever they wanted to do, go ahead and do it, you know, and certainly for Phil and I’d seen him like he had done some sh*t with Frozen Ghost and and you know, like I knew that he was this like serious guitar player,” he said.
Looking ahead to their upcoming collaboration, Emmett expressed excitement about working together for the Triumph reunion shows.
“Now I’m sitting here talking to you. I got this little tickly feeling. I’m going to get to play like, you know, 26 shows or something. 27 shows in 60 days with this guy. It’s going to be a lot of fun. Like, you know, working out the rehearsals and figuring it out. Because in a way I’m taking a torture and I’m handing it over, you know, but it’s happening the right way this time. Not a divorce kind of way,” Emmett explained.
He concluded by emphasizing his respect for Triumph’s legacy and his intention to pass that respect on to Phil X.
“So that the legacy of Triumph is something that you’re going to see how I respect it and you’re going to learn how to respect it in the same way. And then I’m going to say, good for you. You know, way you go,” he said.
This reunion represents a significant milestone for the Canadian rock band. The band has been largely absent from the touring circuit for decades. The upcoming tour marks Triumph’s first full tour in over 30 years. It brings together the classic lineup with additional musicians to create an expanded six-piece touring formation.
Ultimate Classic Rock reported that the tour spans 24 cities across Canada and the U.S., ending June 6 in Boston, Massachusetts. The trek will kick off with a series of dates in Canada before moving into the United States. This gives fans on both sides of the border the opportunity to witness this historic reunion.
The band’s decision to expand their lineup for the tour reflects their commitment to delivering a powerful live experience. Blabbermouth noted that Emmett has expressed enthusiasm about the musical possibilities this configuration will bring, stating that “musically, it’s gonna be quite something.”
Formed in Mississauga in 1975, Triumph became one of Canada’s most successful rock exports. The band was known for their powerful live performances and arena rock anthems. Parade highlighted that this 50th anniversary celebration represents more than just a nostalgic look back. It’s an opportunity for a new generation to discover the band’s music and ensure their legacy continues.
The reunion tour announcement has generated significant excitement among longtime fans. These fans have waited decades to see the original members perform together again. With the addition of seasoned musicians like Phil X, Todd Kerns, and Brent Fitz, the tour promises to honor Triumph’s classic sound while bringing fresh energy to their timeless catalog.
