Peter Frampton's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction: Celebrating a Guitar Legend!
(Title image by DALL-E 3)
Hi WA Friends!
Peter Frampton's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction finally happened, and honestly, itโs about time!
If anyone deserves to be in there with the greats, it's Peter - the guy whose iconic talk-box solos inspired so many guitarists to try and talk through their amps. Lol
On October 19, 2024, Frampton was officially inducted, and the ceremony at Cleveland's Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse was everything you'd expect for a guitar hero like him. Roger Daltrey of The Who was there to introduce him, giving a heartfelt tribute to his friend and fellow rock legend, saying Peter's induction was "long overdue." I canโt argue with that, Roger!
Peter Frampton (right) & Keith Urban (left) at the Rock Hall Induction ceremony.
Peter didn't just show up to accept his award and wave to the crowd. The real highlight was when he picked up his old Les Paul and kicked into "Baby (Somethin's Happening)" before moving on to a powerful version of "Do You Feel Like We Do," this time playing alongside Keith Urban. The crowd loved it, especially when Frampton pulled out the talk box for that classic solo!
It was a great reminder that Peter still has his magic. The night ended with a well-deserved standing ovation, wrapping up an amazing celebration!
A Brief History of a Guitar Legend
(With the help of ChatGPT)
Peter Frampton got his start back in the mid-60s, growing up in England and picking up the guitar like it was meant to be. By the time he joined "The Herd," he was already being called "The Face of 1968" (pretty cool title if you ask me). But the real game-changer came when he joined up with Steve Marriott to form Humble Pie. The band quickly became a blues-rock powerhouse, with Peter adding melodic solos and Steve laying down heavy grooves. Albums like "Rock On" and "Performance: Rockin' the Fillmore " showed what Peter could really do on the guitar!
But as much as Humble Pie rocked, it was Peter's solo career that really took things to the next level. When "Frampton Comes Alive!" came out in 1976, it became a defining moment not just for him but for live rock music in general. Songs like "Show Me the Way" and "Do You Feel Like We Do" became huge hits, and suddenly, every guitarist wanted a talk box. Over the years, Frampton kept making records, working with other legends, and always keeping his music fresh - even while dealing with tough challenges like a degenerative muscle disorder. His resilience made his Hall of Fame induction even sweeter, proving that true rockers never give up.
In recent years, Peter Frampton has been facing a serious neurological condition called Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM), a degenerative muscle disease. This illness causes progressive muscle weakness, which has made performing more challenging for him. Despite this, Peter has remained positive and continues to make music, proving once again that his love for playing guitar is stronger than any obstacle.
So, What's a "Talk Box?"
A talk box is a device that allows a musician to shape the sound of their instrument, usually a guitar, by using their mouth. It works by sending the sound from the guitar through a tube into the musician's mouth, where the shape of the mouth changes the tone and adds a vocal-like quality. The modified sound is then picked up by a microphone and amplified.
Peter Frampton made the talk box famous with his iconic use of it in songs like "Do You Feel Like We Do," where it almost sounds like the guitar is speaking. This effect became one of Frampton's trademarks and a signature sound in rock music.
Jeff Beck used a talk box on "She's A Woman" and a live version of "Blues Deluxe." Joe Walsh used one on "Rocky Mountain Way."
Is Peter Frampton A Good Guitar Player?
Peter is a great guitar player! Just listen to his guitar work on any of his albums, and it's totally obvious!
Need a little more convincing? Check out the guitar solo he did on his performance of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" with Eric Clapton onstage at the Crossroads Guitar Festival in Dallas, Texas, on September 20, 2019!
Be sure to watch the entire video!
https://youtu.be/Lv0auIDRUNU?si=RrVLndzBQp76n8zP
You may know that Eric originally did the guitar solo for this song on the Beatle's 1968 double album "The Beatles" (also known as the "White Album"). The first time I heard this song, I said to my friend, "Who's playing that solo? It sounds like Eric Clapton!" and it was! Lol ๐
You can see Eric (playing his "Crash" Stratocaster) working hard to keep up with Peter as they play a double guitar solo. Peter is facing Eric so they can coordinate their efforts.
Eric is playing A minor pentatonic riffs, very similar to what he did on the Beatle's album, while Peter is mostly playing in the A Dorian scale. Near the end of the solo, you can see Eric giving Peter the "Nod of approval!" ๐๐ ๐
At the end of the song, Peter says, "Thank You so much! You watched a dream come true!"
LOVE that big Orange (brand name and color) 4X12 speaker cabinet! Lol ๐
Peter Frampton's Gear - The Magic Behind the Sound!
(Yes, for all you WA gearheads, courtesy of me and ChatGPT!)
You can't talk about Peter without talking about his gear!
Guitars:
- 1954 Gibson Les Paul Custom - "Phenix": This guitar is legendary. Peter lost it in a plane crash, and it was recovered years later. It has that creamy, sustain-heavy tone that makes Frampton's solos sing.
- Gibson ES-335: This guitar gave Peter a warm, bluesy sound that was perfect for both studio work and extended jams on stage.
- Gibson Les Paul Peter Frampton Signature: Gibson made a signature model based on his favorite Les Paul, with three humbuckers to give him all the tones he needed.
- Martin D-42 Peter Frampton Signature Acoustic: For those acoustic moments that needed extra sparkle, this Martin was his go-to.
Amplifiers:
- Fender Twin Reverb: Known for its clean, crisp tones. The Twin Reverb was key to Peterโs sound, especially when he needed a solid base for his effects.
- Marshall JMP: When Peter wanted to get gritty, the Marshall was his pick. It gave him the raw, blues-rock sound that was perfect for Humble Pie.
- Vox AC30: This amp is super versatile. Itโs got those classic British tones that can go from clean and sweet to dirty and overdriven easily.
Effects:
- Heil Talk Box: You canโt talk about Peter without mentioning the talk box (see above for an explanation of how it works). He made it famous with "Do You Feel Like We Do," turning it into a rock staple.
- MXR Phase 90: This pedal added a swirling, phase effect that gave his leads extra movement and depth.
- Electro-Harmonix Big Muff: When Peter needed more power, the Big Muff gave him a heavy, saturated fuzz sound.
- Boss DD-3 Digital Delay: This delay pedal was perfect for adding depth and echo to his solos, especially live.
Honors and Awards - A Career Full of High Points!
(Courtesy of ChatGPT)
Peter's induction into the Rock Hall was definitely the peak of an amazing career. Hereโs a quick look at some of the big honors:
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction (2024): The biggest recognition, presented by Roger Daltrey. It was a night of heartfelt speeches and awesome guitar playing.
- GRAMMY Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album (2007): Peter won this for Fingerprints, an album that really showed off his skills as a guitarist, blending different styles and pushing the limits.
- Classic Rock Roll of Honour - Comeback of the Year (2008): After some time away, Peter came back to remind everyone why he's still one of the greats.
Frampton's Discography - A Life in Music!
(Courtesy of ChatGPT)
Peter Framptonโs music journey has covered a lot of ground - from psychedelic pop with "The Herd" to blues-rock with "Humble Pie," and, of course, his solo career that broke the rules.
If you have to listen to just one album, I recommend Fingerprints (2006), although Frampton Comes Alive! (1976) is his most famous work.
With The Herd:
- Paradise Lost (1968)
With Humble Pie:
- As Safe as Yesterday Is (1969)
- Town and Country (1969)
- Rock On (1971)
- Performance: Rockin' the Fillmore (1971)
Solo Albums:
- Wind of Change (1972)
- Framptonโs Camel (1973)
- Frampton (1975)
- Frampton Comes Alive! (1976) - The album that defined his career.
- Iโm in You (1977)
- Fingerprints (2006) - His Grammy-winning instrumental album.
- All Blues (2019) - A tribute to classic blues songs that inspired him.
Collaborations and Guest Appearances:
- George Harrisonโs All Things Must Pass (1970): Peter played guitar on this iconic album.
- Ringo Starrโs Ringo (1973): Another classic collaboration with a rock legend.
Tell Me What You Think!
Peter's Rock Hall induction was a celebration of everything that makes rock music great - passion, resilience, and a deep love for the guitar.
Have you heard of Peter, and what's your favorite album or song?
Let me know in the comments, AND ...
Keep On Rockin' It! ๐ค
(Pin by DALL-E 3)
Frank ๐ธ
Here's a riddle for you: Why isn't Ted Nugent in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? ๐ง
When you figure it out, let me know!
~ 70% Human-written content.
Recent Comments
26
About time and congratulations to Peter Frampton for finally getting into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame (RRHOF)!
Thank you for another great tribute, Frank!
Rock On! ๐ธ๐
Myra โฅ๏ธ
Hi Catherine
The Brits produced some of the best rock guitar players in the world: Peter Frampton, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, David Gilmour, Brian May, Tony Iommi, and the list goes on & on & on! ๐๐๐
Frank ๐ค๐ธ
I can't believe it has taken this long for young Pete to be included Frank....
A legend indeed!!
Rock the weekend my friend!!
๐๐๐ป๐ธ๐ธ
Hi Nick
Yeah, their selection committee can be political and biased toward artists who are consistently trending online in a positive way.
Rock On & have an excellent weekend! ๐ค๐ฅณ
Frank ๐ธ
You're not wrong there Frank... it's the way of the world unfortunately!!
You too my friend!!
๐๐ป๐๐คฃ๐ธ๐ธ๐
Hi, Frank.
I remember liking Peter Frampton in the 70s, mainly from TV shows like The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries and such. But, my main gripe when it came to his music, which I never got any myself, was that the radio when he got popular again much later only played at most two of his songs, and I got so tired of them.
But it is good that he is finally inducted.
Thanks, Frank.
Happy FRISatSu
JD
Hi JD
Yeah, in the 70s, the radio was notorious for playing the same top hits again and again. Program directors weren't as effective as they are today.
I hardly ever listened to the radio back then. In my car it was always 8-track tapes and then cassettes. ๐
Happy FriSatSu! ๐ฅณ
Frank ๐ค๐ธ
yeah. But, I was 10 in 74, so didn't get to listen to much of what I liked in the car. I think the time that he got popular again was in the 80s or 90s.
JD
Hi JD
Yup, that's true. He was something of a teenage "heart-throb" guy in the 70s, with "Frampton Comes Alive!" etc. Lol
Then, he started appearing on various TV talk shows in the 80s and 90s.
I was in high school in the 1960s, so I enjoyed the evolving musical culture tremendously! Haha ๐
Frank ๐ธ
See more comments
Hi Frank
You're so right about Peter deserving the induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and it WAS long overdue!
I mean......who didn't own at least one copy of "Frampton Comes Alive!"? Just great stuff!!
Every guitarist I played in bands with had a talk box, they're just fun! ๐ธ๐ธ
Thanks for posting about a legend, Frank!!
Rock On!! ๐ค๐๐ธ
Tim ๐ผ
Hi Tim
The first time a saw a talk box was when I was in the eighth grade. I snuck into a beer garden on a Navy base during an air show to watch the band play. lol
The guitar player had a Les Paul gold top, a Marshal plexi half-stack, and this cloth bag on his left shoulder that had a talk box in it. He explained to me how it worked during the intermission. His name was Leon. The talk tube was so dirty Iโm surprised he didnโt get a mouth disease from it! Lol ๐
The band was killer, so I snuck in all three nights. When the security people saw that I was just interested in the music, sitting quietly in a chair and not bothering anyone or attempting to drink beer, they let me stay. ๐
Ah, the memories! ๐
Rock On! ๐ค
Frank ๐ธ
Hi Frank
Hahaha, awesome memory! The nasty talk box tube! ๐
If only my friends and I would have attempted the "sit quietly and listen" approach more often, we wouldn't have gotten into as much trouble as we did. ๐คฃ๐คฃ But at least it wasn't, go to jail trouble, just get kicked out trouble. ๐คฃ๐คฃ
Keep Rockin!! ๐ค๐๐ธ
Tim ๐ผ
Hi Tim
Hahaha, I was a very curious and pretty well-behaved teenager.
When I was a kid, my dad used to take me into various factories to see how things worked, like where they made big blocks of ice, sausage, textiles, flavored syrups, and the water treatment center at the local reservoir.
The factory workers would be very proud to give us a tour and answer all my incessant questions. They would always give us a sample to taste if they made food! That was back in the 1950s. You could never do anything like that with your kids today, with all the insurance laws, and nobody would want to take the time to explain anything. Lol ๐
Frank ๐ค๐ธ
Hi Frank
Those were some great times for sure!!
Where I grew up, most all factories had to do with automotive. I had a few maintenance and automation design jobs for the automotive industry over the years. I've been in a lot of factories, but none of them gave me food? ๐คฃ ๐คฃ
It is definitely a different type of world now!
Tim ๐ผ
Hi Tim
Cool gigs! ๐๐
Thatโs right, youโre from Michigan, the land of cars and guitars!
The original Gibson factory opened in Kalamazoo, and itโs the home of Ted Nugent, the โmotor city madman!โ Lol ๐
Rock On! ๐ค
Frank ๐ธ
I do remember the original Gibson factory being in K-Zoo.
And I like that... "Michigan, the land of cars and guitars"! ๐๐ธ
Who could forget the Motor City Madman!! ๐คช
We are also the home to Bob Segar, Stevie Wonder and Kid Rock, as well as Grand Funk Railroad! I'm sure there are more, but my memory isn't what it used to be. ๐
Keep Rockin!! ๐๐ค๐ธ
Tim ๐ผ
Yeah, Michigan is a Rockin' place, Tim! ๐ค๐ค
And all the necks from the original American-made Fender electric guitars were made from Michigan maple! ๐๐
Frank ๐ค๐ธ