by photojournalist Jeffrey Moellering
Peter Frampton walked onto the stage with the aid of a cane to a standing ovation that felt less like applause and more like gratitude for the music, for the memories, and for the man himself. Now 75, the British guitar hero has been open about his diagnosis of inclusion body myositis, a degenerative muscle disease that’s slowly robbing him of the strength that once made his fingers fly. But on a chilly Halloween night in Clearwater, none of that mattered, as Frampton brought both plenty of tricks AND treats for everyone in attendance.
From the opening shimmer of “Something’s Happening” to the soaring talkbox solo of “Do You Feel Like We Do,” Frampton played with a joy and intensity that belied his physical limitations. Sitting for much of the performance, he joked with the crowd and leaned on his band’s impeccable timing but when his hands touched that classic black Les Paul, the years fell away. His band members too sat during the performance, as a gesture of solidarity, and to demonstrate that it was indeed possible to rock while reclining! The accompanying bass, drums, keys, and second guitar were a master act of their own, in syncopation throughout the evening, and all given the opportunity to display their own prodigious talents.
That guitar, of course, is a story unto itself. Frampton famously lost his beloved 1954 Gibson Les Paul Custom the one immortalized on Frampton Comes Alive! in a plane crash in Venezuela in 1980. For decades he thought it was gone forever, until it resurfaced in 2012 and was returned to him. When he cradled it onstage, he gave it a look that said more than any lyric could. Throughout the night, Frampton paid homage to friends and heroes lost too soon, with a trip down memory lane displayed on a huge screen showing photos and videos from a time when he was the most popular rock artist on the planet. His aching cover of Chris Cornell’s “Black Hole Sun” was a masterclass in restraint, with a crying guitar voice carrying a tenderness of the melody that hushed the crowd in an introspective awe.
Later, he dedicated a brand new song to Tom Petty that he’d written with his son, recalling their friendship and shared love of pure rock ‘n’ roll. Frampton has lived in Nashville for many years and counted Petty as a dear friend. The new song was done in Petty’s choppy style, with Peter’s signature guitar phrasing stamped onto it. Frampton even wore a Tom Petty t-shirt during the performance, as a gesture to the Florida crowd, towards his love for its native son. While Frampton’s pop idol days are behind him, he continues to write and record creative new music which leans more heavily on his early days of blues and hard rock influences.
Between songs, Frampton’s humor shone through in typical self-deprecating British style. He told stories about his granddaughter visiting him on tour, “She thinks Grandpa’s job is just making funny faces into a tube,” he quipped and even mentioned missing his dog while on the road, who he joked “sings better than I do these days.” These moments gave the night an easy warmth, reminding everyone that despite his legendary status, Frampton remains a family man who just happens to have changed the sound of the ‘70s. He seems to have adopted a kind of loose and informal American outlook, more like someone that you’d have a backyard BBQ with than a superstar pop idol.
One of the evening’s most moving sights stood just offstage: a sign language interpreter translating every lyric, joke, and guitar wail with expressive grace. Frampton repeatedly turned toward her, smiling and thanking her between songs. It was a quiet, powerful acknowledgment that music reaches far beyond what’s heard, into what’s felt deep inside. As the final notes of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” faded, the audience rose again not out of nostalgia, but reverence. Peter Frampton’s body may be betraying him, but his spirit, wit, and melodic touch remain untouched. Before leaving, he looked out across the sea of faces and said softly, “I’m not done yet.” And judging by the roar that followed, everyone was certain of that statement.
Peter says he is committed to making music and touring for as long as his body grants him the grace to do so, defying his doctor’s diagnosis years after he was told he would not be able to play. As his classic Humble Pie era song title proclaims, “I Don’t Need No Doctor!”, the tune has become an even more poignant anthem during his performances. It seems that the universe has also agreed that Peter’s voice should carry on with its sonic message. These shows are dubbed the “Let’s Do It Again” tour, which is a line from his signature “Do You Feel Like We Do” song. Frampton’s triumphant Clearwater concert left little doubt that his faithful fans feel like he does and they’re rocking ready for him to do it again!
