I had Rik as music business teacher, and songwriting teacher, at Humber College, some years back. Without a doubt, he was one of most passionate and dedicated instructors I've had, either at school or in a professional setting. We would, on multiple occasions, get emails at 11pm giving expanded answers to questions he had partly answered in class.
And he wouldn't take crap work from anyone. The final assignment in music business class was to create a full touring plan for a band. You make up the band (or it can be your band), you find opportunities, figure out where to play, where to stay, daily schedules, routing, and, of course, create a viable budget. He did not appreciate people handing in single-page plans, without any actual research having been done - his reputation as a tough but fair marker was well-earned. In a world where many teachers just want to pass you through the class without hurting your feelings, Rik really wanted everyone to learn and improve by doing.
And of course, as you discovered, Paul, he loves a good anecdote. Thanks so much for this evocative profile.
What great story telling! While I never got to know Rik, Gil and Mike are dear pals and we all spent some amazing times when Triumph ruled the airwaves on the kind of rock radio I was involved with back in tha’ day. Those three guys defined a part of Canadian musical culture and we are stronger for them. Thanks for a wonderful piece,Paul.
Paul, this is why I love and have subscribed to your Substack since the start. Fantastic read and thanks so much. And I sorta like the political stuff too : ).
A really long time ago I saw Rik Emmet in one of his early solo shows after he left Triumph, at a smallish concert club in Ottawa. It was a great show: he was so personable, and personal, joking about how having four kids was like needing the Red Badge of Courage. He asked for requests, and I put up my hand and asked for”Suitcase Blues,” and he played it for me! Loved it.
Rik played a Framus Akkerman at the US festival. Looks a lot like a Les Paul, but most certainly isn't. Guitars are a deep rabbit hole. You should check out Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book of Bass to see what collector madness can do to a musician.
I too enjoyed this article. I like to gain more in-depth understanding of a wide range of topics and Canadians. And here you did not disappoint. Must say I was a bit surprised, but appreciative, of the bits of your own personal history in the article.
Saw Triumph a few times in the 1980s as a teenager and loved each performance. It rocked, and more importantly, my friends and I always left happy due to the positivity of the vibe. Thanks for this, Paul. I am glad Rik is doing well.
Well, that wasrefreshing and, frankly, a most welcome change from news of the political swamp. I am woefully uneducated about Canadian rock bands (or any rock bands, really), having been a sheltered folkie from the Maritimes. Counterculture? What counterculture? Thank you for bringing Rik to my attention. He is an intriguing character and immensely talented. Long may he live and play in Eli's studio!
Really enjoyed this, thanks. I kinda slept on Triumph as a kid. One of my best friends was into them, but I still kinda missed them - just never heard them much beyond the single Spellbound.
But I recently watched that documentary about the band, which was pretty fascinating. Highly recommend it. This was a nice epilogue to that, in a way.
Love hearing about how once-popular musicians - and especially Canadians - are faring after their heyday.
Rik has always been an intriguing, admirable guy given his talent, integrity, and commitment to just doing what he wants to do (even if that means leaving rockstar money on the table). If you live in the Golden Horseshoe and throw a rock in the air, it will hit more than a few people that have been taught by him, know someone who has, or have a great story about him or the band.
From the very first day of this newsletter I have stated, explicitly and repeatedly, that I will write what I want. I very much appreciate your unusually generous support in particular, John. But since the first day of this year I have filed a post every 39 hours on average — I did the math — and if that's not enough or if it's the wrong thing for you, say the word and I'll refund all of your most recent payment.
I continue to subscribe to Paul for exactly this sort of piece to balance his excellent political observation, analysis, and commentary. Political reading all the time, even from gifted writers like Paul, can leave one feeling hopeless about Canada in particular, and the world in general. Ask me how I know. Paul's writing on music is a tonic for my politically tortured soul. I pray he continues to share it with us.
I am a lifelong lover of music, and my own youthful musicianship was surprisingly similar to Paul's, as I just discovered in his Rik Emmett piece (WBM Grade 6 piano with Grade 2 theory; 1st trumpet in high school band; didn't apply myself to music in a disciplined enough way and gradually neglected my playing for other pursuits). I've regretted that musical neglect ever since, but I still am drawn to the piano at times, as to the guitar, which through artists like Emmett as a model I pluck away at in a very limited way.
I've followed Rik Emmett on and off since his Triumph days, and love how he's matured as an artist. I will listen to his latest, and read his new book/liner notes, because of Paul's piece.
Thanks, Paul, and Rik, for sharing your Magic Power of the music with us.
I had Rik as music business teacher, and songwriting teacher, at Humber College, some years back. Without a doubt, he was one of most passionate and dedicated instructors I've had, either at school or in a professional setting. We would, on multiple occasions, get emails at 11pm giving expanded answers to questions he had partly answered in class.
And he wouldn't take crap work from anyone. The final assignment in music business class was to create a full touring plan for a band. You make up the band (or it can be your band), you find opportunities, figure out where to play, where to stay, daily schedules, routing, and, of course, create a viable budget. He did not appreciate people handing in single-page plans, without any actual research having been done - his reputation as a tough but fair marker was well-earned. In a world where many teachers just want to pass you through the class without hurting your feelings, Rik really wanted everyone to learn and improve by doing.
And of course, as you discovered, Paul, he loves a good anecdote. Thanks so much for this evocative profile.
What great story telling! While I never got to know Rik, Gil and Mike are dear pals and we all spent some amazing times when Triumph ruled the airwaves on the kind of rock radio I was involved with back in tha’ day. Those three guys defined a part of Canadian musical culture and we are stronger for them. Thanks for a wonderful piece,Paul.
Paul, this is why I love and have subscribed to your Substack since the start. Fantastic read and thanks so much. And I sorta like the political stuff too : ).
A really long time ago I saw Rik Emmet in one of his early solo shows after he left Triumph, at a smallish concert club in Ottawa. It was a great show: he was so personable, and personal, joking about how having four kids was like needing the Red Badge of Courage. He asked for requests, and I put up my hand and asked for”Suitcase Blues,” and he played it for me! Loved it.
Rik played a Framus Akkerman at the US festival. Looks a lot like a Les Paul, but most certainly isn't. Guitars are a deep rabbit hole. You should check out Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book of Bass to see what collector madness can do to a musician.
I too enjoyed this article. I like to gain more in-depth understanding of a wide range of topics and Canadians. And here you did not disappoint. Must say I was a bit surprised, but appreciative, of the bits of your own personal history in the article.
Saw Triumph a few times in the 1980s as a teenager and loved each performance. It rocked, and more importantly, my friends and I always left happy due to the positivity of the vibe. Thanks for this, Paul. I am glad Rik is doing well.
Well, that wasrefreshing and, frankly, a most welcome change from news of the political swamp. I am woefully uneducated about Canadian rock bands (or any rock bands, really), having been a sheltered folkie from the Maritimes. Counterculture? What counterculture? Thank you for bringing Rik to my attention. He is an intriguing character and immensely talented. Long may he live and play in Eli's studio!
Looking forward to the story of the other great Canadian Telecaster player, Ed Bickert.
Great story!
Refreshing!!
Excellent article.
Would have gone with Dig A Little Deeper for the title.
As a Canadian with a budding interest in guitars, I highly recommend Hamilton luthier Ted Woodford's Youtube videos:
https://www.youtube.com/@twoodfrd
Follow along as he works on the instruments, and gives a bit of backstory on the models, makes and makers.
Really enjoyed this, thanks. I kinda slept on Triumph as a kid. One of my best friends was into them, but I still kinda missed them - just never heard them much beyond the single Spellbound.
But I recently watched that documentary about the band, which was pretty fascinating. Highly recommend it. This was a nice epilogue to that, in a way.
Love hearing about how once-popular musicians - and especially Canadians - are faring after their heyday.
Rik has always been an intriguing, admirable guy given his talent, integrity, and commitment to just doing what he wants to do (even if that means leaving rockstar money on the table). If you live in the Golden Horseshoe and throw a rock in the air, it will hit more than a few people that have been taught by him, know someone who has, or have a great story about him or the band.
Triumph is one of my favourite bands of all time. Rush is and (I think) always will be #1, though. :)
Paul, I am not subscribing to you to keep up to date with musicians or the like....
I have been waiting for days to hear some worthwhile and pithy comments about the political and other neighbourly stuff.....
The last two weeks have been disturbingly quiet from your end.
How about some news about what the heck is going on in our CANADA and inter-Provincial shenanigans???
From the very first day of this newsletter I have stated, explicitly and repeatedly, that I will write what I want. I very much appreciate your unusually generous support in particular, John. But since the first day of this year I have filed a post every 39 hours on average — I did the math — and if that's not enough or if it's the wrong thing for you, say the word and I'll refund all of your most recent payment.
I continue to subscribe to Paul for exactly this sort of piece to balance his excellent political observation, analysis, and commentary. Political reading all the time, even from gifted writers like Paul, can leave one feeling hopeless about Canada in particular, and the world in general. Ask me how I know. Paul's writing on music is a tonic for my politically tortured soul. I pray he continues to share it with us.
I am a lifelong lover of music, and my own youthful musicianship was surprisingly similar to Paul's, as I just discovered in his Rik Emmett piece (WBM Grade 6 piano with Grade 2 theory; 1st trumpet in high school band; didn't apply myself to music in a disciplined enough way and gradually neglected my playing for other pursuits). I've regretted that musical neglect ever since, but I still am drawn to the piano at times, as to the guitar, which through artists like Emmett as a model I pluck away at in a very limited way.
I've followed Rik Emmett on and off since his Triumph days, and love how he's matured as an artist. I will listen to his latest, and read his new book/liner notes, because of Paul's piece.
Thanks, Paul, and Rik, for sharing your Magic Power of the music with us.
I am.
And whatever else Mr. Wells might feel passionate enough about to put to paper.
Only a couple of those in the country for my money - Wells is easily one of them.
And anything's better than Cosh on Yes.