Peter Frampton Marks 50 Years With New Album and Candid Documentary at Tribeca Festival

On May 15, Frampton released "Carry The Light," his 19th solo studio album and his first set of all-new songs in 16 years. This week, he will premiere a new documentary, "Frampton," directed by longtime band member Rob Arthur. The film receives a special screening Thursday, June 4, at the Tribeca Festival in New York.

These new works arrive soon after Frampton marked the 50th anniversary of "Frampton Comes Alive!" The 1976 live album topped the Billboard 200 for 10 weeks and produced two top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.

"It all comes to roost at the same time," Frampton, 76, said in a recent interview via Zoom from his Nashville home studio, Bigsby Park. He wore a denim shirt over a Tom Petty T-shirt during the call.

Frampton said the 50th anniversary was both exciting and daunting. The release of "Carry The Light" and the documentary happened to align, though it was not planned. "We were going to release the album a month earlier, but then Tribeca contacted us," he said. "So we put it back so the album would come out, and two weeks later it's Tribeca, and then we could talk about both."

Arthur, the film's director and Frampton's keyboard player, started the project after Frampton revealed his diagnosis of Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM), a degenerative muscle disease. The condition has affected Frampton's mobility and playing style, but audiences have seen little change during his recent performances.

Arthur said he wanted to document Frampton's farewell tour in 2019. "Peter said, 'Why don't you just film all the concerts?'" Arthur said. "I'm the keyboard player, so it was a challenge." He set up three cameras to capture performances and backstage moments, and he began interviewing Frampton.

Arthur found the story went beyond concert footage. The COVID-19 pandemic slowed the process but gave Arthur time to organize material and start a production company, Phenix Features, with Frampton. Their friendship allowed for candid conversations, Arthur said. "The basis of the movie is my take on him as a friend, and of course I know his legacy very well."

Frampton said he trusted Arthur to lead the documentary while he focused on making music with his son, Julian, who co-produced the album. "I had a lot to do with it. I know everything that's in there. But we were working on two projects at once," Frampton said. "I mainly concentrated on the album and wasn't involved day to day with the film."

The documentary covers Frampton's childhood in Kent, England, and his early bands. Arthur filmed Frampton playing Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue" on the steps of Bromley Technical High School, where Frampton's father was head of the art department. The film also features appearances by Bill Wyman, Roger Daltrey, Ringo Starr, Herb Alpert, Alice Cooper, Sheryl Crow, Nancy Wilson, Tom Morello, and others. Frampton's first wife, Mary Lindes, and his three children are also interviewed.

Frampton provided hours of Super 8 footage from the 1970s, including scenes from his hospital recovery after a near-fatal car crash in 1978. The film addresses the low points in his career, such as substance abuse and the decline in popularity after "Frampton Comes Alive!" Frampton said he wanted to show the full story, including failures. "I wanted people to see it's not all glamour," he said. "It was me baring my soul, just like I did in the book."

Arthur said Frampton was transparent throughout the process. "He said, 'Put it all in there,'" Arthur said. "It's painful to watch at times, but I love it," Frampton told him after viewing the finished film.

Julian Frampton said the documentary reveals much that even he did not know about his father's professional and personal life. "It's a phenomenal story. I never saw a lot of that footage before."

Arthur and Frampton are seeking a streaming home for the documentary after Tribeca. "We'll have to see where it leads us," Arthur said.

While Arthur worked on the film, Frampton and his son completed "Carry The Light" in Nashville. The 10-track album includes appearances by Glenn Worf, Chad Cromwell, Tom Morello, Sheryl Crow, H.E.R., and Bill Evans. Graham Nash is featured on "I'm Sorry Elle," inspired by Frampton's wait to meet his granddaughter during the COVID-19 pandemic. Benmont Tench of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers plays on "Buried Treasure."

Frampton said his IBM diagnosis gave him a sense of urgency to record new music. He also released two covers albums in recent years but wanted to focus on original compositions. The album's title track features a Shawnee stomp dance, and the idea of elders passing on wisdom influenced its theme.

Frampton is already writing songs for another album, though his condition makes touring difficult. "It's getting more and more difficult to play," he said, but he remains determined to continue.

Do you think Frampton's new work will connect with a new generation of listeners? How does an artist's openness about personal struggles affect your view of their music?