|
Not Your Ordinary Man… An Interview with Rik Emmett
 Whenever the topic of guitar players comes up, many names come to mind. However, in my mind, there is one only one. Rik Emmett. With “guitar player” representing such a bland and vague phrase, I’d much rather refer to Rik Emmett as a visionary, an artist, a teacher, a brilliant, yet humble musician who has earned the respect of millions of fans worldwide as well as his peers.
Recently inducted into the Canadian Rock Music Hall of Fame with his former bandmates from Triumph, it seems Rik’s career has come full-circle. After leaving Triumph in the late 80’s he has maintained a flourishing career, releasing over 10 solo projects that showcase his versatile style, ranging from jazz, rock and blues to instrumentals, swing an fusion. In addition to receiving prestigious awards for both his early rock performances and being honored as Guitarist of the Year at the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards in 2005, Rik has also taught courses in the Humber College Music program, and is the Artistic Director of the Humber Songwriting Workshop. He further lends his time and talent to countless charitable organizations and benefits, including those for victims of the Rhode Island Night Club fire back in 2003 among many others. Quite a resume, eh?
As a long time fan of the incredible Mr. E, it is my distinct honor to bring to you, our Glam-Metal readers, a small glimpse into the heart one of the most gifted musicians and genuine souls I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. In my book, his virtuosity remains unmatched and although I can’t go into details, Rik’s generous nature and ability to touch lives through his music have had a profound impact on my own personal life in a way I will never forget and will cherish, always. www.rikemmett.com
RIK, YOU HAVE ENJOYED QUITE A SUCCESSFUL AND DIVERSE CAREER SINCE LEAVING TRIUMPH, MOSTLY PURSUING A JAZZ DIRECTION. HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN THAT STYLE OF PLAYING?
I've always loved the guitar in all of its styles and genres - jazz, classical, blues, smooth jazz, country, rock, doesn't matter to me. What matters is if the music is good. I do think jazz is probably the highest form of expression of music, for musicians. It might get too esoteric and complex for the average person, and it sometimes gets that way for me too, but I do love a great deal of it.
OF YOUR COLLECTION OF GUITARS DESCRIBE FOR US YOUR MOST PRECIOUS SIX-STRING.
It's impossible to choose just one - that's like asking a parent to choose their favorite child. My Laskin classical is special to me: my Yamaha L-55 12 string is special: I must have about 6 or 7 Yamaha electrics and acoustics I couldn't live without. Perhaps my favorite custom instrument is a Yamaha blonde maple archtop AEX-1500 that was made to my specs in the Japanese shop by a man named Kiyoshi Minakuchi: his nickname is Jackie, and I call that guitar Jackie.
GIVEN THE RECENT FOCUS ON "THE TRIUMPH YEARS" WITH THE INDUCTION INTO THE CANADIAN MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND THE REISSUE OF THE DEAN CLASSIC FLYING -V, HOW ARE YOU HANDLING ALL OF THIS EMOTIONALLY? WERE YOU RELUCTANT TO STEP BACK IN TIME IN ANY WAY FOR EITHER OF THESE TWO THINGS ?
I had some trepidation, and some doubts & fears I had to overcome, but I wouldn't call it reluctance. I was ready to take the step - I could envision the benefits, and was careful about how the build-up got negotiated out, through logical steps. I wasn't going to step into something blind - I knew what I was getting into, and it has played out very well: very satisfying, very healthy - progressive and worthwhile, even though one of the prime ingredients is nostalgia and time travel.
SPEAKING OF THE INDUCTION CEREMONY, HOW DID EVERYTHING GO?
It went very well. Maybe even more than could be anticipated, exceeding expectations. I admit to getting just a bit of guilty pleasure out of watching the tension & worry in the faces of others dissolve into relief. There was a lot of relief going around - the weight of a lot of negativity getting dropped into the gondola of a balloon filled with the hot air of congratulatory hoopla and then lifted up, up and away - out of sight, out of mind.
 DID YOU STICK AROUND FOR CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK OR PARTCIPATE IN ANY WAY?
Nope. I had an orchestra rehearsal to get to in St. Catharines at Brock University. And the orchestra show to play that same night. It was a heck of an agenda. I was well fried by the end of the encore.
ARE THERE ANY UP & COMERS THAT CAUGHT YOUR EARS?
I really enjoyed the performance of Gregory Charles, and there was a band called Neverending White Lights that I liked as well.
GIVE US SOME INFO AND THE STATUS OF THE "AIRTIME" RECORD.
Mixes just getting finished up between Mike Shotton and Rick Andersen. Gil Moore has been a very gracious studio owner who has invited us to master the material at Metalworks, and I am happy to head back there to finish the new music off. Something quite fitting about having the beginning of something new complete its journey towards the public by going back to the roots of what Gil, Mike and I started such a long time ago.
I'M GONNA PUT A NEW SPIN ON A COMMON QUESTION, INSTEAD OF TELLING US WHO YOUR GUITAR HEROES ARE, ARE THERE ANY FAMOUS PLAYERS WHO HAVE TOLD YOU OR CITED YOU AS THEIR INSPIRATION OR IDOL?
My son got all excited and emailed me from his college campus when he came across a web encyclopedia entry for John Petrucci of Dream Theater saying something nice about my influence. That was cool. That influence might have been about how to tune and hold the instrument, because once he got started, that guy Petrucci became a monster in short order, and I can't imagine how I might be able to take any credit for that. He is one of the finest players, in one of the best progressive bands, on the planet.
WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME SO INVOLVED IN CHARITABLE EVENTS AND HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE ONES YOU PARTICIPATE IN WHEN YOU PROBABLY GET BOMBARDED BY SO MANY?
It's just a natural outgrowth of being in show business. And I am not partial to any specific causes, although cancer and heart & stroke are personal with me. Make-a-wish. UNICEF and things relating to children and world health. Pollution. Okay - the list keeps growing. I like when charity gets linked to 'art', so that our show business ambition doesn't always seem so self-serving and ego-driven.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST IMPORTANT KEY TO BALANCING A MUSIC CAREER WHILE MAINTAINING A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU WIFE AND CHILDREN?
Be ready, willing and able to admit that you are a selfish jerk who makes all kinds of human mistakes, and who requires a great deal of forgiveness and understanding and compassion from the rest of the family, so don't be churlish when it's your turn to generate forgiveness, compassion, understanding, sensitivity, etc. Wisdom comes when you admit you're not very wise, and still have a lot to learn. Shall we call the "key" humility?
IF YOU HAD ONE AN EXTRA DAY PER WEEK, WITH NO OTHER OBLIGATIONS, HOW WOULD YOU SPEND IT?
Watching sports on TV, drinking lager beer, and listening to smooth jazz on the satellite radio. Playing with the new puppy, Pekoe, who is a golden doodle .Taking a long walk through a beautiful garden with my wife.
WHAT MORE WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR CAREER AND/OR IS THERE AN AREA OF INTEREST LIKE A HOBBY YOU'D LIKE TO PURSUE IN ADDITION TO CREATING MUSIC?
I'd like to keep doing what I do. I'd like to have a bit more free time for gardening, for writing, for sketching and painting. I love to read novels. I wish I had a bit more time for that.
NAME ONE TRIUMPH SONG AND ONE POST-TRIUMPH SONG THAT HOLDS THE MOST PERSONAL MEANING FOR YOU AND WHY.
Suitcase Blues gave me a sub-text, as a rock player, to become a better musician and songwriter, and I think I've been able to build my post-T career out of some of the roots that grew out of that song. State of Grace on the Troubadours album seems like a powerful, emotional watershed moment for me as I started another chapter in the story of my career.
WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT AT YOUR UPCOMING SHOW IN BUFFALO, NY?
We will rock. And we will play many old hits, and add a few new wrinkles. Dave and I will probably throw in an acoustic duo piece or two: we have a version of "Watchtower" which kicks. And the show-stopper is usually "Three Clouds", which gives everybody a chance to blow solos, just like the good old jam band days of the '60's.
 |
WOULD YOU WEAR A SABRES JERSEY SHOULD ONE BE PROVIDED?
I like the Sabres this year - I like the way they play, and the team speed, and the skill of Briere, etc. The goalie is also capable of stealing games. I have my own Sabres jersey from the Cup run back in '99. But when I wear any other hockey jersey, you must remember that it's covering the tattoo of the Maple Leaf I have over my heart.
CARE TO MAKE A WAGER ON WHAT TWO NHL TEAMS WILL GO HEAD TO HEAD FOR THE CUP THIS YEAR ?
I'm not a betting man. It's pretty hard to choose between Jersey, Buffalo, Nashville, Anaheim and Detroit. In the end, I don't think I want to bet against Brodeur. I'm guessing Jersey vs. Detroit. There will be a lot of series that go the full 7.
ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO ADD OR WORDS OF ADVICE TO OUR READERS?
Nope. I've said too much already.
 |
Thank you Rik and Happy St. Patty’s Day to ya!
Catch Rik live at Club Infinity 8166 Main St., Williamsville, NY this Friday March 16th
You can order Rik Emmett CDs, books and other products directly from his kick-ass,
interactive website, and keep up on all Rik news and tour dates at www.rikemmett.com
A personal thank you to Rick Wharton, who is always willing to oblige my requests and
besides being a talented comedian, is also a GOD among ordinary men. |
