Peter Frampton biography

Synopsis

Early Career

Singer, songwriter, guitarist. Born April 22, 1950, in Beckenham, England. Raised in a conventional middle-class family, Peter Kenneth Frampton was a musical prodigy, teaching himself to play the guitar at age seven. Within the next few years, he mastered complex jazz, blues, and rock riffs.

Frampton spent his pre-teen years performing with bands like The Little Ravens, The Trubeats, and George & The Dragons (a group that included fellow up-and-coming musician David Bowie). Eventually, Frampton caught the attention of The Preachers' manager, Bill Wyman (of The Rolling Stones), who recruited him to join The Preachers, an overtly commercial English band.

In 1967, under the tutelage of Wyman, the 16-year-old Frampton became the lead guitarist and singer for the pop-oriented group The Herd. In 1969, after achieving the adoration of teenaged fans with hit singles like "From the Underworld" and "I Don't Want Our Loving to Die," Frampton opted to leave The Herd. Later that year, he and Steve Marriott fronted the blues-based rock band Humble Pie. In 1971, despite positive response for the albums Town And Country (1969) and Rock On (1970), Frampton decided to strike out on his own.

Solo Success

Peter Frampton contributed to George Harrison's All Things Must Pass and Nilsson's Son of Schmilsson, before launching his solo career with the debut album Wind Of Change (1972). He toured extensively over the next few years, promoting the albums Frampton's Camel (1973), Somethin's Happening (1974), and Frampton (1975).

The popularity of these albums coupled with Frampton's captivating live performances culminated in the 1976 live double recording Frampton Comes Alive! Selling over 10 million copies, the LP held the notable distinction of being the bestselling live rock album in history, while the singles "Baby I Love Your Way," "Do You Feel Like I Do?" and "Show Me the Way" dominated the American charts. Considered the crowning achievement of Frampton's career, the album influenced both Billboard and Rolling Stone magazines to name him Artist of the Year.

Declining Popularity

By the end of the 1970s, Peter Frampton's status began to decline. With musical talents like the BeeGees, Aerosmith, and Earth, Wind & Fire, he made his cinematic debut as Billy Shears in the disastrous rock musical Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978). After a near-fatal automobile accident, Frampton was forced to temporarily shelve his music career. He recorded sporadically throughout the 1980s, most notably Breaking All The Rules (1981), The Art of Control (1982), and Premonition (1986). The following year, his reentered the public spotlight and began touring as a lead guitarist with longtime friend David Bowie.