Michael Stephen Levine (born 1 June 1949) is a Canadian musician, best known as the bassist and keyboardist for Canadian hard rock band Triumph."Canada’s Walk of Fame Announces 2019 Inductees". Cashbox Canada, 19 Jul 201
Early life Levine was born in Toronto, Ontario."Eddie Trunk has the magic power to reunite Triumph on Trunk Nation". Sirius FM, Andy Burns, 29 March 2017 He attended Sir John A. Macdonald Collegiate Institute in Scarborough.
Career During the 1960s, Levine was part of the band The Dana which was made up of lead vocalist Glen Daigle, guitarist Val Rufo, organist Aldur Kundur, himself on bass and drummer Lance Wright. Glen Daigle left the band to attend college and was replaced by Terry Walker who had been backing singer and MC for a group called the Associates. Walker was a more powerful singer. The group recruited a second drummer and horn section and then changed their performing name to Terry & The Pyrates. The signed with Trend Records and released the single, "Keep on Dancin". At some stage the band evolved into Aurora Borealis, a 9-piece musical ensemble.Museum of Canadian Music - Terry & The Pyrates, Biography Working with producers, Robert Martin and John Driscoll, they recorded the single, "Smiles and Kisses" / "You", which was released on the Itco Stereo Records label in 1969.Discogs - Aurora Borealis (12) – Smiles And KissesCanadian Cult Classics channel, Jan 19, 2025 - Aurora Borealis - Smiles And Kisses/You (1969)Billboard, January 3, 1970 - Page 48 For You "Smiles and Kisses" Unfortunately Aurora Borealis didn't find any success.Museum of Canadian Music - Terry & The Pyrates, Biography
In 1970, Levine helped to bring back together the band Motherlode, which had broken up after releasing one hit single and a couple of less popular recordings. They toured around northern and western Ontario before disbanding once again."Motherlode group is reformed for recording". RPM Weekly, 5 December 1970. pages 8-9
Levine played bass in the Toronto blues band Abernathy Shagnaster's Wash and Wear Band with guitarist Fred Keeler, keyboardists Peter Young and drummer Gil Moore. After the band's first single was recorded, Keeler and Young left; Levine and Moore recruited guitarist Rik Emmett, and the three founded the progressive band Triumph in 1974.
Although he did not sing lead on any of Triumph's music, Levine contributed backing vocals, bass, keyboard work, as well as songwriting."Triumph". The Canadian Encyclopedia, 7 February 2006"Triumph: The Sport of Kings (remaster)". Sea of Tranquility, review by Pete Pardo, 4 April 2005 He also produced much of the band's early work, and performed on all of the band's ten studio albums."Triumph to Be the Focus of New Documentary". Exclaim!, By Calum Slingerland, 19 Aug 2019
Live, he also contributed much onstage banter with the audience, often smoking a large cigar during performances as well as wearing local sports team jerseys (especially NHL teams). On 1 October 1985, responding to a challenge by corporate sponsors, Levine travelled across Canada, visiting eight radio stations from Halifax to Vancouver in one day to promote Triumph's double album Stages.
After Triumph disbanded in 1993 Levine continued to merchandise the band's recordings and songs;"Alessia Cara, Triumph Honoured At Canada's Walk Of Fame". FYI Music News, 25 Nov 2019 by David Farrell"Triumph". The Canadian Encyclopedia, 7 February 2006 he then went into business and began living part-time in Jamaica."Regrouped Triumph tests the waters". The Globe and Mail, PERRY LEFKO, 5 June 2008
Levine also serves on the board of directors and advisory board for the Musicians' Rights Organization Canada.
Levine was also a contestant on the Christmas Eve 1995 episode of Wheel of Fortune.
References
External links Official triumph website