Tucson Welcomes Frampton Comes Alive 35
By Dave Cooper
In 1976, music history was made when Frampton Comes Alive! was released, quickly becoming the biggest-selling live album of all time. Three-and-a-half decades later, it still holds that distinction, also its popularity. To honor and commemorate the legacy of this long-lasting musical accomplishment, Peter Frampton is reprising, song-for-song, that extraordinary live recording. And, he’s doing this like the first time around -- on tour.
The Frampton Comes Alive 35 tour began March 15 in Nuremberg, Germany and continued for two weeks in Europe. Frampton resumed his tour June 15 in New Jersey and has a full slate of U.S. stops throughout October. His lone Arizona appearance is scheduled at 8:00pm July 27 at Anselmo Valencia Amphitheatre (AVA) in Tucson.
The Anselmo Valencia Amphitheatre, adjacent to the Casino Del Sol, is a nearly 5,000-seat outdoor concert venue. Casino Del Sol is a favorite southern Arizona/Tucson destination for gaming activity, fine dining, and live entertainment. On November 11, 2011, Casino Del sol will expand its capacity to become a 215-room luxury resort, spa, and conference center. For details about the venue, concert ticket availability & pricing, possible dinner reservations, directions and more, visit the AVA website.
Wouldn’t it would be an interesting trip in the way-back machine to once-again witness and recapture the magic of that historic Frampton Comes Alive concert experience? I first caught Frampton in 1976 at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom while he was touring regularly with Gary Wright. During that year, they performed worldwide at standard venues, also in multi-band, large-arena gigs. Their second tour of Chicago that summer had Frampton on the bill with Wright, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Yes. Ahh, what great memories of those classic daylong, jam-band concert sessions of the 1970s.
Peter Frampton was always an inspired musician. As a young guitar player/singer with an outfit known as The Herd around 1967-68, Frampton discovered that he showcased his talent best while performing live. It was pure joy for him and no surprise that he would later reach global stardom in that forum.
In the late 1960s, The Herd disbanded and Frampton joined musical forces with former Small Faces front man Steve Marriott to create an edgy brand of blues-tinged rock and roll. Their new band, Humble Pie, produced moderate-level hits like 30 Days in the Hole, I Don’t Need No Doctor, and Stone Cold Fever.
Peter Frampton left Humble Pie in 1971 to pursue other options and interests, which included playing on George Harrison’s album, “All Things Must Pass” and Nilsson’s “Son of Schmillson” project. Frampton’s debut solo album, “Wind of Change,” failed to garner much attention despite contributions from Ringo Starr and Billy Preston. Not discouraged, Peter Frampton soldiered on knowing that success in Rock N Roll was attainable. His determination, a new band, endless touring, and a little luck would eventually pay off -- in a huge way. In the spring of 1976, Frampton Comes Alive became a household phrase around the world.
Over the decades, Peter Frampton’s legacy and music has endured. Last year he released his first solo album since 2006 entitled “Thank You Mr. Churchill.” He may sneak in a few new tunes, but rabid fans turning out for Frampton Comes Alive 35 will be eagerly poised to sing along to Show Me The Way, Baby, I Love Your Way, Do You Feel Like We Do, and other classic Frampton hits. And who doesn’t want to hear that definitive “talk box” sound emanating from Frampton’s voice and Gibson guitar blasting through gigantic Marshall amps!
Learn more about this spectacular Arizona event, plus current news and tour updates at Frampton Comes Alive 35. The website also features a large collection of Frampton Comes Alive 35 merchandise for purchase, in addition to vintage memorabilia from Frampton’s first go-around.