Peter Frampton

Peter Frampton says “Never say Never” at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida

At 73, Peter Frampton has nothing to prove to anyone, but to himself. And that’s precisely what keeps him going and still touring despite his long fight with inclusion body myositis, a rare and incurable inflammatory condition that causes muscles to weaken slowly. His current tour is dubbed “Never Say Never,” and Frampton explained the meaning of the title back in April when the set of dates was announced.

“At the end of every ‘Finale’ tour show, I did say ‘never say never’ and I am always full of hope for the impossible. I’m very pleased to let you know that I am feeling strong and my fingers are still roaming the fretboard. Every note I play now has more meaning and soul. I love playing live and this fighter wants to stay in the ring for as long as he can. I’m so happy to be able to see you all one more time this summer.”

Frampton’s musical run started in the 1960s, as a teen idol in England with the group, The Herd. He then co-founded Humble Pie, a band that took him onto the British charts. But his breakthrough would come as a solo artist with his live album “Frampton Comes Alive,” which spent 10 weeks at No. 1. In 1987, and the rest is history.

Despite now sitting for the entire show, Frampton’s live performances are known to be a feast for the senses, and his appearance at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood was no exception to that rule. The setlist for the evening, meticulously crafted to showcase Frampton’s extensive discography, consisted of an impeccable blend of his greatest hits and lesser-known gems, including renditions of “Georgia (On My Mind),” Soundgarden’s smash hit “Black Hole Sun,” and The Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” as the grand finale.

The evening took an emotional turn when Frampton introduced “Lines on My Face.” As the heartfelt lyrics filled the air, the audience was transported into a reflective and introspective space. The song’s gentle melodies and poignant guitar solos showcased his ability to evoke deep emotions with his music.

One of the standout moments of the night was undoubtedly the performance of “Show Me the Way.” The opening guitar riff elicited a thunderous cheer from the crowd, who eagerly joined in singing the iconic chorus. Frampton’s guitar-talk box solo, a signature element of the song, was met with sheer amazement and applause, as he skillfully manipulated his instrument to create enthralling sounds.

As anyone could guess, the energy reached its peak during the high-octane performance of “Do You Feel Like We Do.” The crowd erupted into a collective frenzy as Frampton unleashed his iconic guitar licks, engaging in a captivating musical conversation with his instrument, one that captivated the audience as few others can.

Throughout the show, Frampton’s stage presence was nothing short of magnetic. A master guitarist with a particular sense of tone and feeling, his enthusiasm exuded charisma and paired seamlessly with his voice, still as powerful as ever, to the point that was hard to believe he could sing in such a phenomenal way after decades of touring. His banter between songs, filled with anecdotes and humorous stories, created an intimate and welcoming atmosphere, making everyone feel like they were part of a shared musical journey.