I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"Merging memoir, anecdotes, and masterclasses on guitar, songwriting, and the artist’s mindset," ---So states the blurb on this book, and on the cover it's mentioned "A backstage pass to rockstar adventure." So as a reader of many memoirs of people in the rock & roll business, I thought this could be good. I didn't read of any backstage stories, or adventures. This could have been a textbook on how to approach the rockstar life....philosophy, mindset, etc. If you want a book on rock & roll hijinks, this is not for you. If you are thinking of being in a band, this may be of help.

“The universe says you’re alive; you have instincts and emotions ; you need music.”

The most surprising thing for me about this book, was how casually funny it was. I found myself highlighting lines here and there, and relating a whole lot too.

Much like Mr Emmett, I too nearly drowned as a kid, am academically disinclined (I am SO stealing that line), not that good at technology or math (I only wish my teachers let me drop it, sigh) and I'm cross-dominant, which, by the way, I had no idea was even a thing until now!!!

I literally thought that was my weird little quirk, but no, other people are like that too, amazing.

And obviously I have a huge love of music, 70s and 80s rock in particular.

So, Lay It On the Line was an interesting book for sure. We learn about Rik Emmett's life, from the cradle to the stage and beyond.

He describes his family, musical influences, the sports he played, the bands he was in, the people he met, his creative process and the struggles he faced, not only music wise, but family wise too. He also tells us so much about the ever changing music business, that I feel as if I witnessed all of it with my own two eyes.

We also get to see his opinions on just about everything, and Emmett even gives us some philosophical advice at the end of the book.

What I enjoyed the most (other than the humour), is seeing how much he loves his wife and kids. It really comes through, and I love how he's always thanking her for standing by him and acknowledging that he wouldn't be where he is without her. That's true love right there. And!! We even got a picture of the beautiful lady at the end, makes my heart melt, honestly.

Of course, I enjoyed all the music talk too, the fellow rock star cameos (Scorpions!!!!) throughout the book, all the songs mentioned, whether by Triumph, solo Rik or by other bands.

If you can listen to music while you read and it doesn't distract you, then I suggest listening to some Triumph albums, as well as Rik's solo ones. I'm partial to Just A Game, Allied Forces and Absolutely, but you can pick and choose and your experience will still be magical.

“It’s just a game, and all I can do is play.”

*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*

From Goodreads ~ Merging memoir, anecdotes and masterclasses on guitar, songwriting and the artist’s mindset, "Lay It On The Line" offers insight and perspective into the many roles Rik Emmett took on.

"It” was always a parboiling, psychological and this book attempts to finally share the recipe. It also includes photos from Emmett’s own archives, plus the definitive, detailed reasons behind why he walked from Triumph - and came back two decades later.

Rock star, it seems, was a character for Rik Emmett to inhabit … a great gig, a catalytic door-opener … it was a role that led to other adventures - and these are the stories he’s chosen to tell.

Triumph was a rock band that was formed in 1975 in Toronto, Ontario, and were popular in the late 1970s and 1980s. It put out 16 albums and DVDs and received 18 gold and nine platinum awards in Canada and the U.S. Triumph was nominated for many Juno Awards, including group of the year award. It was inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame in 2007, into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2008 and into Canada's Walk of Fame in 2019.

Rik Emmett is now 70 and was a guitarist and lead/backing vocalist in Triumph until he left in 1988 to pursue a solo career ... this is his story. I know and liked some of Triumph's songs and like reading about Canadians so that's why this book caught my eye. Plus I like getting the behind the scenes scoop.

This book is very detailed and starts off even before Emmett was born with his maternal and paternal family trees. He has done a lot in addition to being in a popular rock bad and shares his experiences and thoughts. I found at times he was preachy and a "grumpy old man" at times but it's his book so he can be any way he wants. There are black and white and colour pictures from over the years at the end of the book.

Received from ECW PRESS and Netgalley for honest read and review,this review is my own.
I grew up in the era of Triumph and other bands at the time. I was not a great fan of theirs, but Rik is a good guitarist and a lot of the songs at the time I quite liked.
This book was a great insight into the man and how things were for him at the time.
He is a very clever man and this showed in his memoirs and also how much family was there for him.
This was a fun often sad book as it showed the ups and downs of life before being famous and then life after, which appears to be better.
A fine read if you like Rik/Triumph.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher ECW Press for an advance copy of this memoir on one of Canada's most famous guitarists, about his life, his playing, his techniques and about being a member of the band Triumph, and what came after.

Being creative is something that a lot of us strive to be. Some people are born with the knowledge that the have to be creative, that they have a gift, and even though it's not easy, or in some ways possible to nurture that gift, it is still there, and somehow it wlll blossom into something, hopefully wonderful . Music is a powerful force. Music can change minds and change hearts. Music can make the passive active, and that active energy can turn to rocking. And rocking is what Rik Emmett knew from an early age he wanted to do. From noodling in his room, to working with anyone he could, until success came to him in the form of two other musicians. Soon Emmett was touring the world, playing arenas and having fun and living life. Until Emmett wanted more. Lay It On The Line: A Backstage Pass to Rock Star Adventure, Conflict and TRIUMPH is a look at Emmett's life from humble beginnings, to rock star status, to solo recording, and finding himself.

Rik Emmett was born in West Toronto to a middle class family that was rich in love, but not spending cash. Emmett knew he had music in his blood, but lacked the means to play it until his grandfather found something in a closet hidden away. A catalogue guitar, cheap, with a faded face, and strings that would kill. To Emmett it was the greatest thing ever. Emmett's first instructor noticed that Emmett was strumming with his left hand, and being a left handed player himself, flipped the guitar around, saving Emmett money on left handed guitars, and helping to develope his technique and skills. Soon Emmett had graduated high school, with the help of a kindly math teacher and besides working any jobs he could played with any bands he could. Hotel bands, glam bands Emmett performed with anyone, gaining skills and confidence along the way, until two musicians whose band had imploded came calling with an offer. An offer that changed his life.

Triumph was a band I was familiar with, but didn't know that much about them. I remember their hits, and I a video on MTV, but my heart was for another Canadian three piece, Rush, and I missed a lot of their songs. Which I have been catching up with on Spotify, and am mad that I missed out. Besides the information on techniques, song development and gear information, this is a fascinating look at touring, life on the lighted stage and how unreal it seems, along with a lot of unglossy tales about working in music. Emmett is a very good writer, telling his story well, and while there might be some angry stories, there is a lot of real truths. Emmett is one of the few memoirists that admits that a lot of mistakes were made, some by himself, some by the band and the record labels, and that led to problems. Emmett is really forthright, and honest, again a rarity in this day and age.

A book for fans of the band, fans of arena rock, and for guitarists to learn some tricks and techniques from a unsung master. A book that demands a soundtrack, and one that is really worth reading, especially for lovers of music, and for those creative types who need inspiration.

Rik Emmett tells it as he sees it. There’s a wonderful feeling of responsibility here. That’s missing in a lot of autobiographies. He wasn’t perfect, but no one else is either, and he accepts that.

His insight into music, the music business, and his place in all of it was so interesting! I loved hearing about all the twists and turns on the way. Sometimes, he rambled a bit, but it’s his book right?

Great book for both Triumph/Rik fans and for music fans in general. I’m so glad I read this!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, my opinions are all mine.