Peter Frampton- Health challenges and 2019 Farewell Tour*

This doesn't make sense. He' only 68, and at the top of his game. Last year was exceptional. And I'm not even a Frampton megafan I was just simply blown away. Maybe he desn't want to be a rock star in his 70s. I await some interviews about this. I mean with Seger, I get it- hes already in his 70s and only goes out once every 6-10 years now- so i get that. But not this!

 

I don’t know if he’s at the top of his game, but he sure doesn’t sound like he’s got nothing left in the tank. Perhaps it’s his farewell to touring, and he will still record?

 

Well, going out when you’re still going strong can be a credit to the artist.

 

Using the "Farewell" tag usually boosts sales. He can always come back if he wants like countless others have. It's like the thing to do these days.

 

Not seeing the comparison with Bob Seger at all. Frampton toured practically every year. Difference in scale too between hockey arenas and casinos.

 

I suppose it's all relative but the man hasn't had a hit in 40 years.

 

Hopefully he's just decided he has enough money in the bank and wants to move on to other things.

 

I saw him about 6 months ago, opening for (co-headlining with?) Steve Miller.

He put on a great show.

 

True, but he is going strong. I saw him in concert about 3 years ago, and he was really terrific. His singing and playing were undiminished.

 

By announcing a “final tour”, the thought is that he can headline arenas and sheds. The last time he played NYC, he performed at Radio City co-headlining with Steve Miller. Now he will be headlining Madison Square Garden with Jason Bonham opening up. Pretty weak opener if you ask me playing a 20,000 seat arena even if it is the final tour. Tickets will be going for dirt cheap.

 

He's playing the Forum in Los Angeles, that's a huge upgrade from his last appearance her - which I think was at the Greek.

 

No casino in Calgary. He sold out the 2500 seat Jubilee Theatre, and put on a memorable show.

But your point is a good one.

 

Yeah I was surprised. Farewell tour or not, I doubt he could sell it out unless the tickets are the same price as the last time he sold it out (probably 30+ years ago).

 

He’s gonna resurrect his acting career.

 

One other factor, and it's a big elephant in the living room. Rock, as a musical form, is in its final stages. Too many signs point to it.

This is just a smaller indication. Frampton could easily book the nominally-priced summer outdoor gigs, but the announcement gives a jump to promoters and fans to catch him "one last time." Not on the same level as The Stones and The Who, who are both winding down but haven't officially called it a day, but at least his management understands his position in the grand scheme.

 

Don't give him any ideas!

 

In his 20s he was worried about lines on his face. So, yeah, maybe he doesn't want to continue to grow old in public.

 

I do not think rock is totally dead, but I agree - it is getting there for fans. Comes Alive! was released in 1976, so folks who remember it in all glory now pushing 60 and up. Fans of 60-70 rock soon simply will start to die off (and I am in this crowd as well).

 

I've seen him many times, always an enjoyable show. Have to see what kind of tix are available when the tour gets to my area.

One show I missed that I still kick myself about is the one at The Warfield where he had a live feed/conversation with Ron Garan on the International Space Station.

 

I really appreciated the fact that he didn’t try to hide his gray hair and baldness, after being a golden boy for so long. So many rock stars dying their hair and wearing wigs and all kinds of crazy stuff in their 60’s and 70’s.

 

I just don''t think he has enough die hard fans who know him past his 4-5 hits to fill an arena in 2019. He just doesn't have a lot of classic rock radio songs beyond the three hits off Comes Alive and I'm in You (not exactly an arena rock song).

 

I have to disagree with the person who posted that Rock as a main stream form is dying...a lot. I am about to turn 60 and average going to about one live show a week. I see new bands and I see classic rock. Rock in the mainstream form is far from dead, You may have to look for it but it is out there and it still draws.

The thing about Frampton is he has toured every year for a long time. A couple of years ago, he milked the hell out of the anniversary of Frampton Comes Alive. I have to admit when I saw him during that tour, it was a great show. Last year when I saw him, he was struggling with his voice but was fine on guitar. I just thought it was a lackluster performance. I might go see him this time around either in NYC or In Florida but only if there is a better opening act added and if tickets are dirt cheap which I expect them to be the night of the show.

 

Nobody said totally dead. All we have to do is look at the trends. Jazz had a certain popular lifespan with various movements. It still exists with some legends still active, but the younger acts are struggling.

Mainstream rock hasn't had a movement since Emo. Indie rock was recycling old ideas (girl group, 80's synth, etc.) and the well appears to be almost dry.

Not sure how much this affects Frampton, as he could continue a few more years if he wanted.