73-year-old guitarist was diagnosed with inclusion body myositis, announced farewell tour, but resumed activities
In February 2019, Peter Frampton announced that he would retire from stage activities. The guitarist would only perform between June and October of that year, in the United States, as part of his tour “Peter Frampton Finale — The Farewell Tour”.
The reason was beyond understandable. The musician received a diagnosis of inclusion body myositis (IBM), a progressive muscle disorder characterized by muscle inflammation, weakness and atrophy. Because of this, one dollar from every ticket sold for the tour was donated to benefit Frampton’s myositis research fund, established at Johns Hopkins University, where he was treated.
The tour passed, the pandemic came forcing everyone to stay at home, the restrictions ended… and Frampton decided to perform again. He even embarked on a tour under the name “Never Say Never”(“Never say Never”). He plays sitting down, but the musical part is not compromised at all.
Why, at 73 and suffering from a muscle disorder, did Peter decide to continue performing live? In an interview with American Songwritergave an answer that could not be more sincere.
“I was born to be on stage. It’s where I feel most comfortable in life, I think. I love playing guitar, I love playing shows and I love seeing people’s reactions. In fact, next year will be my 60th anniversary of touring – I started when I was 14.”
It is even noteworthy that the shows performed by Frampton in this revival are longer. They last around two and a half hours and cover his entire career, from his Humble Piegoing through the most successful albums of his solo career — including the multiplatinum live Frampton Comes Alive (1976) — and reaching more recent compositions.
About the fact that the public still wants to see him play songs like “Show Me the Way”, “Baby, I Love Your Way” and “Do You Feel Like We Do”he highlights:
“I’ve been amazed by the audience’s reaction to these songs because so many people have told me what these songs mean to them. Some stories are very moving. People have heard this song on certain occasions, good or bad, and it has helped them. So if my music helped people, my God, that’s the best it could be, right?”
Peter Frampton’s illness
As MCI is a muscular disease with no cure, Peter Frampton He soon thought he would be forced to stop playing guitar. However, his condition seems to be evolving well enough for him to continue doing what he loves — which is why he guarantees that he will continue performing as long as he can.
“I knew I had the muscle disease, and I knew my fingers would be affected. When we did the farewell tour, at the end, I noticed some differences. And I’ve always said, ‘I don’t want to go out and play live if I’m not at my peak’. Well, I lied! I think I’m still at my peak, but I’ve just adjusted what that ‘peak’ is.”
During the interview, Frampton praised one of his biggest influences, the legendary jazz guitarist Django Reinhardtas a fundamental inspiration to adapt to the new reality.
“Django Reinhardt He only had two fingers and a thumb on his left hand, so if he can play with two fingers, and play better than I’ve ever played in my entire life, I think I can handle it now.”
Peter He has already been to Brazil three times, in 1982, 1995 and 2010. Who knows, maybe a new visit will happen, within his limitations?
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
