Maps of Music

Triumph (1980)

Where the lyrics of Triumph take you, and where it was really made.

Triumph came out just as the hits from Michael Jackson's solo album Off the Wall were sliding off the charts, and Michael sang most of its lead vocals and wrote most of its songs.

Key places

Hollywood Sound Recorders (1980)

Recording site Hollywood Sound — Listed in the album's recording credits as a studio where Triumph was recorded in Los Angeles. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Sound City Studios (1980)

Recording site Sound City Studios — Listed in the album's recording credits as a studio where Triumph was recorded in Los Angeles. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Capitol Studios (1980)

Recording site Capitol Studios — Named in the album's studio list as one of the Los Angeles studios used for Triumph. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Devonshire Sound Studios (1980)

Recording site Devonshire Sound Studios — Named in the album's studio list as one of the Los Angeles studios used for Triumph. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Westlake Recording Studios (1980)

Recording site Westlake Recording Studios — Named in the album's studio list as one of the Los Angeles studios used for Triumph. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Triumph is the fourteenth studio album by the Jacksons
• Released 26 September 1980 by Epic Records
• Produced, arranged, written and composed by the Jacksons
• Michael Jackson handles most lead vocals and writing duties
• Certified Platinum in the United States
• Sold three million copies worldwide in its original run

Background

• Michael Jackson had recently released the multi-platinum solo album Off the Wall (1979)
• Triumph came out as the hits from Off the Wall were sliding off the charts
• The other Jacksons shared lead vocals and solo spots on some songs
• Lead singles were Lovely One, Heartbreak Hotel, Can You Feel It and Walk Right Now
• Heartbreak Hotel was later renamed This Place Hotel to avoid confusion with the Elvis Presley song

Recording

• Greg Phillinganes is credited as associate producer
• Tom Perry is credited as engineer
• Tom Washington, Jerry Hey and Jerry Peters are credited with arrangements on various tracks
• Recording candidates in Los Angeles include Hollywood Sound Recorders and Sound City Studios
• Other studios listed for the album are Capitol Studios, Devonshire Sound Studios and Westlake Recording Studios

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Formed in Gary, Indiana, in 1964 as the Jackson Brothers, managed by father Joe Jackson.
• Original lineup: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael.
• Among the first African American performers to build a following across multiple genres.

Members

• Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael Jackson; Randy joined in 1975 when the group became the Jacksons.
• Michael Jackson's solo career became the most successful of the brothers.

Career

• Signed with Motown in 1968 and became the first group to debut with four consecutive Billboard Hot 100 number-one hits: "I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", and "I'll Be There".
• Achieved seventeen Top 40 singles on the Hot 100 within five years.
• Left Motown for Epic Records in 1975–1976 and renamed themselves the Jacksons, releasing albums including Destiny and Triumph.
• Reunited in 1983 for Motown 25 and released Victory in 1984; Michael and Marlon left the group afterward.
• Sold over 150 million records worldwide.
• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.
• Continued to tour as the Jacksons, including the Unity Tour (2012–2013).

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• AllMusic called Triumph the Jacksons' first Top Ten pop album since 1972's Lookin' Through the Windows
• The album was released during summer 1980, just as Off the Wall's hits were fading from the charts

Reappraisal

• AllMusic reviewer Andy Kellman gave the album four stars out of five
• Robert Christgau gave the album A-

Records

• Peaked at No. 10 on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart
• First album by the group to reach number one on the US Billboard R&B Albums chart since Maybe Tomorrow in 1971
• Entered the UK charts on 11 October 1980 and peaked at No. 13
• Certified Platinum by the RIAA in the United States, with the certification achieved on 10 December 1980
• Sold over three million copies worldwide in its original run
• Nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1981

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The single Heartbreak Hotel was renamed This Place Hotel to avoid confusion with the Elvis Presley song of the same name
• The song This Place Hotel is said to have inspired Rod Temperton when he later wrote Thriller, in atmosphere and musical structure
• Michael Jackson took the lead on most songs even though other group members sang on some tracks
• The album came out in the same period as Michael Jackson's solo success with Off the Wall
• Tom Perry is credited as engineer and Greg Phillinganes as associate producer

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com · fr.wikipedia.org

Maps of Ages ↗ (mapsofages.com)

Privacy · Contact