Hold On

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin "Hold On" by Triumph from their 1979 album Just a Game! This track’s got a killer backstory that’ll blow your mind. Written by guitarist Rik Emmett, "Hold On" started as an acoustic piece that didn’t quite catch fire during live shows. Emmett revealed in an interview that the song emerged from him singing open vowels over chord changes, landing on the phrase "hold on" as the hook. From there, he crafted lyrics about clinging to dreams, inspired by the wild energy of Triumph’s concert crowds. He wanted the song to be a beacon of inspiration, asking himself, “If we’re called Triumph, what are we giving fans?” The band transformed it into a rock anthem, placing it at the end of the concept piece The Twisted Maze, which takes up the entire second side of the vinyl. Fun fact: the song’s complex arrangements meant the full band never played it live together—only an acoustic version appears on their live album Stages. Oh, and the music video? Chopped down to a tight 2:59 to boost its chart climb, hitting No. 38 on the Billboard Hot 100!

Here’s another juicy tidbit for you vinyl junkies out there. The original LP of Just a Game came with a sleeve that folded out into a board game, dreamt up by Rik Emmett and designed by bassist Mike Levine. According to a Rockline interview, Levine made it deliberately impossible to win, mirroring the album’s title track theme about life’s tricky game. Fans loved it, and @TriumphTheBand even reminisced about this quirky feature in a 2023 X post, asking if fans remembered the “impossible to win” game. The album’s futuristic cover art also tied into the song, with each symbol representing a track, including "Hold On." That creativity helped push Just a Game to platinum status, cementing Triumph’s place in hard rock history.

Now, let’s rewind to how Triumph got their start. Hailing from Toronto, this Canadian hard rock power trio formed in 1975 with Rik Emmett (guitar, vocals), Mike Levine (bass, keyboards), and Gil Moore (drums, vocals). Before Emmett joined, the band was a four-piece with Fred Keeler on guitars and Peter Young on keyboards, playing blues-rock. They released a single, but after Keeler and Young left, Emmett’s arrival brought a new vibe, blending progressive and classical influences with hard-hitting rock. Their self-titled debut (later called In the Beginning) dropped in 1976, exclusive to Canada, with tracks like “Blinding Light Show / Moonchild” showing their prog leanings. By 1977, Rock & Roll Machine gained traction, especially in Texas, where fans ate up their cover of Joe Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Way.” Triumph’s big break came with Just a Game in 1979, their first major U.S. hit, thanks to songs like "Hold On" and "Lay It On The Line." Known for epic live shows with cutting-edge lighting and pyrotechnics, they became arena rock legends, though often overshadowed by fellow Canadians Rush.

Wanna connect with Triumph and their Zoo Freak-worthy community? Check out their official site at triumphmusic.com for music, vids, and more. They’re active on socials, so follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and throwback posts. Fans keep the flame alive on sites like citizenfreak.com, which dives deep into Triumph’s discography, and progarchives.com, where prog-rock lovers discuss their albums. There’s also a vibrant Triumph Fan Group on Facebook where devotees share memories, rare pics, and tour stories. So, hold on to your dreams, Zoo Freaks, and keep rocking with the Zoo Crew!