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?