Treehouse (1987), produced by Tom Cochrane , was the band’s Canadian breakthrough, yielding the hit single “Peace of Mind”.
Triumph took a more commercial turn with their 1986 studio album, The Sport of Kings . Rik Emmett’s “Somebody’s Out There” reached the American Top 40 in late 1986, a significant amount of radio and video exposure. Written and recorded in the eleventh hour of The Sport of Kings sessions,…
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In 1986, keyboardist Ray Coburn left the band, replaced by Rob Preuss of Burlington, Ontario -based Spoons . Also during 1986, the band produced the track “Those Were the Days” for the Charlie Sheen film The Wraith .
Along with a new guitarist came a new, more melodic sound. The band’s fourth album, Unveiling the Wicked , was released in 1986 on the Music for Nations label. After its release, the band went out on a successful European tour with Motörhead and American power metal band Manowar .…
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In 1986, Riddell joined with Brad Roberts to form the decidedly less-than-serious bar band Bad Brad Roberts and the St. James Rhythm Pigs. Over time, the band evolved into Crash Test Dummies, a name suggested by a friend of the band who was in medical school. The diagnostic mannequin, known…
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Trewin and Fodero left the band shortly afterward and were replaced by guitarist Mike Hall and bassist Ron Mayer. This line-up released the band’s breakthrough 1986 album Stand Tall, followed by Big Deal in 1988 and Dirty Weapons in 1990. The band received much recognition in Canada and the United…
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The band’s self-titled second album , released in 1986 through Warner/ Reprise Records , began to attract attention from radio and record buyers across Canada, with the singles “Baby Ran” and ” I Go Blind ” gaining significant college radio airplay. Dave Osborne (keyboards, harmonica), toured and recorded with the…
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In 1986, the band recorded ” Heaven in Your Eyes “, a song featured in the movie Top Gun , which peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard charts. Keyboardist Doug Johnson refused to appear in the video as he felt that the film glorified war , which he opposed.
Lovin’ Every Minute of It , the band’s fourth album and first not produced by Fairbairn (it was produced by Tom Allom, best known for producing Judas Priest ), was released in August 1985, with the title single written by Mutt Lange and “This Could Be the Night” co-written by…
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On June 7, 1985 Triumph was ranked No. 2 in Performance Magazine’s 6-week period ending “Tops in Performance” list. That same year the band performed with Mountain as their opening act.