A Pre-Resolution post

Yeah, I just revisited last year's New Years post and #2 on the list was to work on this blog. So, yeah, I've been majorly slacking. Please don't think for a moment that my heart no longer overflows with love and admiration for Peter Frampton. Get those crazy thoughts out your head immediately. I've just been busy. REAL busy. I, at this time am pretty much resigned to the fact that my dream of meeting Peter for my 40th is probably not gonna happen. It seemed all of my musical luck revolves around Barry Manilow (not that I'm complaining - I got a free trip to Vegas out of that deal!) Maybe Barry can spread some of his "Manilow Magic" my way and help me out. Whaddya think?

I'm still bound and determined to meet Peter sometime - I'm aiming for his next (as yet unannounced) tour. I will do what I have to for one picture and an autograph. Any suggestions on how to go about doing this are greatly appreciated!

Ack!

There's nothing more disheartening for me than to see that the last post I put up was over a month ago! I am a bad person. To make a feeble attempt to make it up (mainly to myself), here's a bit of video yumminess...

I'd say I'd promise to be better with posting, but who do I think I'm fooling? Maybe I'll surprise myself!

2 Days!

I assume anyone who reads this knows me, because I can't think anyone else would really care. So those who know me know that I've been working my buttocks off and have had little time to devote to my quest. Today marks exactly six months to the big 4-0 (and Peter's b-day as well). I regret that I haven't had the time to spend writing this, because it is something that's very close to my heart. It's just that work and family obligations took precedence (as they should, actually. It would be a little creepy if this was all I was living for!) So, a small update...

Another list of Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame nominees has been announced and again, Peter's not on it. Sigh.

I got no response from Peter's people after my passionate request for a meet and greet. Double sigh.

All is not sad in the world however, as I am going to see Peter for concert #8 on Friday with my sister, who joined me for concert #2 (I think) at the now-defunct Pleasure Island many moons ago. We're in the tenth row (thanks Aunt Faffies!) so at least I can be somewhat close to my idol. Now, if I can only figure out some way to get my battered "Frampton Comes Alive" album cover signed...

I'll keep you posted. And hey, I've still got six months, right?

Champagne for Breakfast...

Okay, I've been meaning to post this for a while. When my friends and I were in Napa/Sonoma last month, I did something I haven't done in eons - I smoked a cigarette. I didn't technically have champagne for breakfast (I had a low-carb Rock Star energy drink, actually), but I ended the night with a Sherman in my hand - a Nat Sherman cigarette. I've heard that the ciggies Peter was referring to in "Do You Feel Like We Do" were laced, but mine wasn't. I just couldn't pass up an obvious Peter Frampton experience. So, anyway, here I am...with a Sherman in my hand...

Songs That Need to Be On the Ultimate Frampton Playlist, Part One

For some reason, for the past few months, when my mind grabs a random song to repeat ad nauseum in my head, and I'm lucky enough for it to be a Frampton song (which doesn't happen nearly enough...I've had some really annoying songs stuck in my subconscious lately!) it tends to be "I Can't Stand It No More" which came off his 1979 "Where I Should Be" album (the cover of which currently hangs on my wall.) I especially remember this song because it was also on a K-Tel album I bought that same year. (For your young'uns reading this, K-Tel was to the 70s as the "Now" series is to the 2000s.) The album was called "Starflight" (because I still have it), and Peter shared the 12" disc with such memorable tunes as "Makin' It", "Sad Eyes", "Pop Muzik" and "Reunited." So, if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm old. Anywhoo, I found a video of Peter, circa 1980, singing the above-mentioned song. You have to go over to YouTube to see it, but here's the link.

Finally!

3 posts in one day? Unheard of!

Well, I've finally gone and done it. I have put out the plea to meet my idol. Let's hope this works.

Here's what I sent to Peter's "people":

I am writing this letter in hopes that I can obtain backstage passes or access to a meet and greet for the Peter Frampton concert on October 24th at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida. It has been a dream of mine since childhood to meet one of my musical idols.

I’m sure you receive many such requests, and I probably have the (requisite) sob story, but you never know until you ask, so here goes.

My 40th birthday is coming up on April 22 (which, ironically, is the same day as Peter’s). My aunt (who, when I was ten, bequeathed me with her copy of “Frampton Comes Alive”) gave me the best birthday gift ever by purchasing me tickets to the above mentioned gig (which will mark the eighth time I’ve been blessed with the chance to see him perform.) It would mean the world to me to get the chance just to say “hello” and snap a picture with him (and get my coveted copy of “Frampton Comes Alive” signed.)

I am a freelance writer and maintain a blog, http://framptonformy40th.blogspot.com, dedicated to all things Frampton. Please let me die a happy woman and grant this small request.

Thanks for reading and please pass my warmest wishes (and hopes for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!) to Peter.

Cross your fingers for me!

A Plea to the R 'n' R Hall of Fame

Here's the text of the letter I have sent to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Yes, I have "that kind of time."

To Whom It May Concern,

I recently read that you were beginning the process of deciding which musicians will be on the shirt list of inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for 2009. I could not let your decision-making go by this year without making a plea for the consideration of Peter Frampton on this list.

I came out of the womb a rock fanatic and can say that of all of the performers in the genre, Peter Frampton has been and always will be my absolute favorite. I currently maintain a blog (Framptonformy40th.blogspot.com) dedicated to this under-appreciated musical genius.

Why do I believe Peter Frampton – who has been eligible for induction since 1997 – should join the legendary musicians already enshrined in the Hall of Fame?

- Peter Frampton is an innovative guitar player, and has been since joining his first band at the age of ten. He has amassed an impressive 20 top ten hits.
- “Frampton Comes Alive” spent a whopping ten weeks at number one on the Billboard charts, remained on the Top 40 album chart for 55 weeks, and stayed on the Billboard 200 charts in total for 97 weeks, and was the top-selling album of 1976 (and the 14th best-seller of 1977.) The album was the biggest-selling live album to date at the time of its release.
- “Frampton Comes Alive” has sold over 6 million copies in the US and 16 million copies worldwide.
- He contributed to the art of guitar playing with his use of the “talk box”, which has influenced the work of many musicians, including Foo Fighters, Bon Jovi and Van Halen.
- He has worked with such artists as Harry Nilsson, Jerry Lee Lewis and George Harrison and has toured with Bill Wyman, Ringo Starr and David Bowie.
- On February 11, 2007, he received a well-deserved Grammy with his release “Fingerprints”, which was awarded the 2007 Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album.
- He continues to tour to sold-out crowds and has an extremely devoted and loyal fan base, of which I am a proud member.

Please make a large group of rock enthusiasts (including myself) happy. Frampton in ’09! Thanks for reading this and thanks in advance for your consideration.

Now, it's your turn!

Make Your Voice Heard!

Yes, it's once again time for the dimwits at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to decide who will be on the 2009 short list of inductees. This year, I'm hoping Mr. Frampton will finally make the cut. I am writing a strongly-worded letter to the powers that be, in the hopes that he will finally receive the respect he so greatly deserves. He's been eligible for induction since 1997, and it's just about time!

If you want to show your support, send your own strongly-worded letter to the following address:

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation
1290 Avenue of the Americas
Second Floor
New York, NY 10104

That is all. For now.

Oh, How Sad

Yes, I'm sad. Pathetic, actually. Far too much time has been devoted to such a trivial pursuit as trying to find gainful employment (I am frighteningly close to...shudder...working in retail again) that I have pretty much forgotten about this blog (I am monumentally sorry, Peter!) So, in a feeble (and yes, it is feeble) attempt to make it up to anyone who still cares about the fact that I am dying to meet Peter (I swear, I could so die happy if I met him) here's a video to enjoy before YouTube inevitably pulls it down. Here's a clip of my favoritest musician singing his most famous song in Miami in 1976, when I was living there and was just seven years old - so yeah, I missed this gig (my first-ever concert was Rick Springfield - I always feel like I cheated on Peter, because I wanted him to be my "first"...concert-going experience.) So...anywhoo...please enjoy...

By the way, I'm watching "80 Hours of the 80s" on VH-1, so I'm feeling extra, super nostalgic tonight!

My Frampton Collection is Complete!

Well, I have all of the albums (and am in the arduous process of getting CD copies of every single album), but, thanks to I-Tunes, I do believe I now have every song Peter has performed. Yes, I downloaded "The Tigger Bop", from "The Tigger Movie" soundtrack. While not as musically complex as anything you'd find on "Fingerprints", it is a welcome addition to my Frampton collection. Just thought I'd mention it.

Peter Frampton In the News

I was sent an email from my old friend Eddie Haskell today, linking to an article on MSNBC. You can see the article in its entirety here, but here's the highlights...

Peter Frampton's star is a safety hazard?

LOS ANGELES - Hundreds of stars on Hollywood's "Walk of Fame" are to undergo a much-needed $4.2 million makeover to repair cracks and holes ahead of the 50th anniversary of the beloved tourist attraction.

Many of them -- including those for "Dynasty" star Joan Collins, Humble Pie singer Peter Frampton, actors Walter Matthau and Burt Lancaster -- have been deemed potential safety hazards to pedestrians.

I like how they listed him as "Humble Pie singer." Some news intern at MSNBC did a little Googling, me thinks. At least Peter made the headline over Joan Collins.

If I ever win the lottery, I'll personally fund the repairs of Peter's star. Isn't there some caring fan in the LA area who can do a bit of star maintenance? The star is located at at 6819 Hollywood Boulevard, so if you're in the vicinity, give Pete a little love, 'kay?

Fairy Godmothers Are Real!

I've been meaning to write this post for weeks, but the job searching has taken up most of my computer time. Yeah, enough waah-waah, I'm still out of work, which nearly prevented me from seeing Peter for concert #8, as he once again blesses us with his innumerable talents on yet another nationwide tour.

But, someone was watching over me, as my Aunt/godmother Kathy (whose battered copy of "Frampton Comes Alive" has become the prized possession of my record collection - and I'm going to get it signed, someday...) and her BFF Penny have given me an early 40th b-day present...10th row tickets to his October gig in Clearwater! Yippee! So, if I can get myself motivated, maybe I can finagle some way to get backstage and meet my idol a few months early. Anyone have any ideas/suggestions?

P.S. Eddie Izzard (pictured above) also rules. Saw him last month in Miami...he's to comedy what Peter is to rock 'n' roll.

A Little 'Splaining...

I'm sure most of my faithful readers have gone on to greener pastures in Internet-land, where bloggers actually post things every once in a while, but if anyone's still interested in my plight/cause/what have you, here's a quick update.

I have been neglecting my blog and my mission because of a full-time job. I was a celebrity blogger and worked on a few sites for Buzznet from November of last year to just last week. After spending 8-10 hours a day on the computer, writing like a fiend, the last thing I wanted to do in my down time was write and be clever "off the clock." And for that attitude, I'm sorry. I have done a disservice to my legendary, Grammy-winning idol. I feel very bad about this.

So anyway, I'm no longer being paid to care about Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and such, which leaves me oodles of time to get back to my blog and write about someone who deserves to be written about, right, kids?

Financial woes have made me alter my mission...slightly. Gone are the plans for an elaborate, self-financed party with an unforgettable musical guest. My goal now is to bring the party to Peter. I, and a close selection of friends/family members (you know who you are), am planning to jet to a concert on or around our birthday with the distinct goal of meeting the man, the myth, the legend. This seems to be a more attainable goal that won't force me to sell everything I own on eBay or anything.

I promise to keep you entertained while I plead my case and attempt to make my 40th birthday the most memorable event of my life (so far.)

I Couldn't Let Today Go By...

Although I have been sinfully negligent with this blog, I couldn't let April 22 go by without a birthday shout-out to my main man, Peter Frampton. The mission of this web site has changed. Due to the fact that I'll never raise enough money to throw a party worthy of an appearance by Mr. Frampton, my request has been severely downgraded. All I want is a backstage pass for my 40th birthday. That's a pretty reasonable request, isn't it? At least I now have a clear, (somewhat) attainable mission and a full 365 days to achieve it. Hopefully, I'll have the time to make my dream come trune, come April 22, 2009. Who's with me?