Photo Credit: Carrie Zukoski
Take a step back to the time of tie-die shirts, VW Vans, and good music. This is the spell Saint Louis was under the night of Peter Frampton’s farewell tour. At age 69 and recently diagnosed with a degenerative muscle disease, this rock legend refuses to burn out.
Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience kicked off the night with a setlist that included some of the most classic rock songs such as Whole Lotta Love and Stairway to Heaven. The crowd shamelessly rocked out to the strong vocals of lead singer James Dylan and the classic riffs of lead guitarist Tony Catania. As their set came to an end, the crowd was hyped and wanted more.
The night was all about remembrance and reminiscing. As Frampton’s band took the stage, a short slide show played on the screens. Pictures of Frampton as a child receiving his first guitar, hanging with former band members, and eventually his first gig were all shown until the legend himself walked onto the stage and crowd erupted.
One of the best parts of the show was the fact that Frampton not only played songs from his newest albums, but he played even some of his oldest tunes. He also played music from his instrumental album including Black Hole Sun. The music ranged from rock ‘n roll, to rock ballads, and even blues and R&B covers. Frampton pulled just about everything out of his arsenal.
Between the guitar shredding, dancing, and trippy backdrops, Frampton told us stories about the songs he sang. It was clearly an emotional final tour for him. He first told us a little about his cover of Sign Sealed Delivered. He said he was shocked to find out one day that it wasn’t Stevie Wonder who wrote the lyrics, but Stevie’s mother. Frampton went on to tell the story of how he wrote The Lodger. He said that after his first big album released, he bought a big house and that’s where everyone partied and stayed the night. He said there would be people laying around passed out everywhere and you’d have to step over the bodies just to move around and it was getting annoying. One day a guy that he vaguely remembered and his girlfriend showed up at the house with suitcases and asked if they could stay for three weeks and Frampton being the kind person he is, allowed them to lodge at his home. We learned a lot about Frampton that night. He told us all about his music career. One of his favorite bands, The Shadows, inspired him to actually pick up and play guitar. It was that moment he was molded into a legend.
Frampton came back for an encore and said “I think you’re gonna kill me, but in the meantime how ‘bout some Humble Pie?” He didn’t want to give up, and the crowd didn’t want the night to end. A girl from the back yelled “I love you!” “I love you too,” he replied. He pointed to the crowd, “And I love you too young man.” Frampton put on an incredible final performance. To answer his question, yes, we feel like he does.
——-
More photos from Carrie Zukoski: https://carriezukoski.smugmug.com/ConcertPhotos/Peter-Frampton-Jason-Bonham-LZE-8-4-19/
