Meet The Canadian Music Hall Of Famer: Triumph's Gil Moore

Rik Emmett, Mike Levine and Gil Moore, better known as '70s and '80s rock behemoths Triumph, will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame this year. The recently reunited trio, who will perform this summer for the time in 20 years, are best known for their pyrotechnic-filled performances and such hits as "Magic Power," "Lay It On The Line," "Follow Your Heart" and a cover of Joe Walsh's "Rocky Mountain Way." Drummer/vocalist/Metalworks studio owner Moore was on hand at the Juno nominees announcement on Tuesday and talked a little bit about the band's career highlights.

ChartAttack: Don't be modest, how do you feel about being inducted into the Hall Of Fame?

It's a terrific experience and the word I would use is humbling, because it really is. You don't set out to get into the hall of fame. You set out to keep three people from yawning in the first row and avoid things going wrong. And when things go right and you develop an audience, sometimes something like this happens later in your career, something you could never predict. It's a tremendous feeling.

What was your career musical highlight?

I think probably our performance at the US Festival [a 1983 music festival in San Bernadino, California that attracted 250,000 people] was, for us, a career high. We were always about performing, always about the fans, always about the live experience, and it was the largest festival that we ever played on. It's the largest festival in California history still, today. That experience was awesome — to see that many people in one place at one time in one spot. It was [Apple Computer co-founder] Steve Wozniak's idea of what a festival should be, which was all about people. It had a different social and political thrust than a lot of other festivals that I see.

What will you do with your Hall Of Fame award?

You mean the physical award? I think probably I'll put it in Metalworks Institute, in our school. I have no better place to put it — maybe give the kids some inspiration.

Triumph are this year's Canadian Music Hall Of Fame inductees. What's your favourite Triumph song?

Ha! Golly, what is my favourite Triumph song? I guess I better get the answer for this one. Rather than stand here all afternoon, I'm going to say "Allied Forces" because it's a song about the relationship between the band and the fans. Live performing was kind of the essence of what we did, and that song kind of speaks to that issue.

Feist or Avril, who wins in a cage fight?
Oh, that's a tough one. You know, I don't know, I don't think girls should fight. And they're both pretty, why would you want to see that? I'd have to flip a coin.

Who is the first person you'll thank when you make your acceptance speech?

I haven't thought about that yet. My guess is my family, but I'll have to think about that one carefully. In my heart, that would be the first group of people that I would thank.