HOLD ON by TRIUMPH
The Canadian hard-rock power trio Triumph epitomized arena rock in the 1980s. Vocalist and guitarist Rik Emmett, bassist and keyboardist Mike Levine, and vocalist and drummer Gil Moore met in Toronto in 1975 and released their first album in 1976. Their major commercial breakthrough occurred in 1979 with the release of their third album, Just a Game, which produced their first Billboard Top 40 hit, “Hold On.”
“The song ‘Hold On’ was a tipping point for me as a recording artist: I felt I’d finally come up with a song that spoke directly to why the band I was in called itself ‘Triumph’. We were singing about what glued us to the audience out there climbing up on their seats: about our own career ambitions, and the motivation we had to tour. We were going to be a band about positivity, motivation and inspiration: long before self-help was even a thing.”
Rik Emmett
“Triumph salutes Music Monday, Canada’s annual celebration of the power of music, that resonates with music teachers, students, and all music lovers. Mike, Rik, and I are honored that “Hold On” is this year’s signature song, featuring Rik’s new collaborative recording of the song based on a poem he composed back in his high school days. Metalworks Studios, Metalworks Institute and SoundsUnite are all thrilled to support this year’s event along with Triumph and our friends at the Coalition for Music Education in Canada.”
Gil Moore
Triumph released 16 albums and has received 18 gold and nine platinum awards in Canada and the United States.
Triumph was inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame in 2007, into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2008, and into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2019.