Interview and article by Nik Mohan

*Courtesy of Clive Frampton / 10 Lives Studios.*

Frampton has been a name recognized in the music world since 1976, when Peter Frampton’s smash hit ‘Frampton Comes Alive!’ became the best-selling live album in rock history. Now, he’s turning to the big screen.

Rob Arthur, Frampton’s long-time friend and bandleader helms the film, taking us on a journey throughout the highs and turbulence of the musician’s life and career. Just before ‘Frampton’ is set to world premiere on June 4 at the Tribeca Film Festival, Frampton spoke with Top Film about his enthusiasm for the documentary and where he’s still headed in his musical journey.

How are you feeling leading up to the premiere — a mixture of nerves and excitement?

Frampton: I’m not nervous at all—maybe anxious but not nervous. I’m anxious that people see it because I love it [the film]. Rob Arthur, my bandleader and keyboard player and cinematographer and artist… I don’t think it would’ve been anywhere near as good and personal if had been somebody else.

You’ve released your first album in 16 years with entirely original material ‘Carry The Light.’ Your son Julian was a huge collaborator on this album. What made you want to jump back into it all this time later—and it also must be nice just to have him in Nashville for a while.

Frampton: That was a big thing. He would come for two, three, or six weeks in from L.A. I saw him more last year than I’ve seen him in ages.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Julian Frampton (@julianframpton)

Frampton: The first time we wrote together, he helped me finish some lyrics. I knew what I wanted to say but I was stuck on the second verse. And he kind of went [makes a speedy check-mark emote to signify the speed in which Julian finished the lyrics]… it was done! He put it together for me. He knew what I wanted to say. And then we would start writing things from scratch. Around that point is when I realized his ideas he’s giving me are production ideas. And they’re really working. We had a 50/50 thing; try my idea, I’ll try your idea. We didn’t settle. That was our motto; we will not settle. So I made him co-producer. I think he freaked out a little bit.

Because of inclusion body myositis, you’ve had to adapt as a player. Are there things you now play differently that might have revealed something new musically?

Frampton: It might be a little more difficult but I have to play things a little differently because hey, that finger’s not gonna get there in time, let’s use the other finger! I’m actually enjoying learning—it’s a learning curve. I think it’s improved my note choice, my melodic sense. You have to take what you can get. It’s life, it’s part of my life, but I’m okay with it, there’s nothing I can do about it. So just get on with it and use it.

Winterland in San Francisco, June 13 1975, playing in front of 7000 people. A majority of ‘Frampton Comes Alive’ was recorded there. Take me back to that initial night, what were you feeling in the hours and minutes leading up to that performance, what was your reaction when you heard the recording back for the first time?

Frampton: I was petrified because now we’re headlining and I didn’t have enough material… When we walked on stage it was the most incredible ovation, and talk about setting you up for an incredible night! I thank San Francisco… So when we all came off, everyone hugged and we said oh my god, that was incredible. And we got it on tape. We went to the truck and we listened to bits of a couple of songs, and we were just all smiles. I couldn’t believe the energy on the album. Between me and audience, it was a feedback thing.