Peter Frampton is a name synonymous with incredible guitar work and memorable rock anthems. For fans just discovering his music or those looking to delve deeper into his career, a common question arises: What Band Was Peter Frampton In? The answer isn’t as simple as one band, as Frampton’s career is marked by significant contributions to multiple influential groups before achieving massive solo success.
Frampton’s journey began in the UK, where he first gained prominence as a member of The Herd. This band, formed in 1966, leaned towards pop-rock and saw teenage Peter Frampton quickly become a focal point thanks to his guitar skills and striking looks. The Herd enjoyed several chart hits in the late 60s, including “From the Underworld” and “Paradise Lost”. While this early success put Frampton on the map, his musical ambitions stretched beyond The Herd’s pop sensibilities.
In 1969, Frampton co-founded Humble Pie with Steve Marriott, who was leaving the Small Faces. This marked a significant shift towards harder rock and blues for Frampton. Humble Pie showcased a rawer, more dynamic sound, allowing Frampton to explore his blues-rock guitar prowess alongside Marriott’s powerful vocals and stage presence. Humble Pie achieved considerable success in the early 1970s, releasing albums like “Rock On” and the seminal live album “Performance Rockin’ the Fillmore”. This period solidified Frampton’s reputation as a serious guitarist and performer in the burgeoning hard rock scene.
Despite Humble Pie’s success, Frampton departed in 1971 to embark on a solo career. Initially, his solo work didn’t reach the commercial heights of his previous bands. However, years of relentless touring and recording culminated in the 1976 breakthrough album, “Frampton Comes Alive!”. This double live album became one of the best-selling live albums of all time, catapulting Frampton to superstardom. While often referred to as simply “Peter Frampton,” it’s crucial to understand that “Peter Frampton” at this stage became his own band, featuring talented musicians who contributed significantly to his iconic sound.
Currently, Peter Frampton still tours and records under the name Peter Frampton Band. His current band is a tight-knit group featuring Adam Lester (guitar/vocals), Rob Arthur (keyboards/guitar/vocals), and Dan Wojciechowski (drums). This lineup, as mentioned by drummer Dan Wojciechowski in a Modern Drummer interview, has been touring with Frampton for over twelve years and recently recorded the album “All Blues“.
“All Blues,” released in 2019, is a testament to Frampton’s long-standing love for blues music, harking back to his early influences and even Humble Pie’s blues-infused rock. Recorded at Frampton’s studio in Nashville with co-producer Chuck Ainlay, the album is a tribute to blues classics and features Frampton’s touring band. Frampton himself stated, “I have always loved to play the blues… For the last two summers I had been playing a handful of blues numbers every night on stage with Steve Miller Band. I enjoyed this immensely and it gave me the idea of doing an “all blues” album live in the studio with my band.”
Dan Wojciechowski, the drummer for Peter Frampton Band, expressed his honor in playing with Frampton, especially considering the legacy of previous drummers like John Siomos and Jerry Shirley, who played on Frampton Comes Alive! and in Humble Pie respectively. Wojciechowski highlights the dynamic and inspired performances of the current Peter Frampton Band, both live and in the studio.
In conclusion, Peter Frampton’s band history is rich and varied, encompassing The Herd, Humble Pie, and his successful solo career under the moniker Peter Frampton, now known as Peter Frampton Band. Each phase showcases different facets of his musical talent, from pop-rock beginnings to blues-rock explorations and ultimately, his iconic solo work and current blues-focused band. Exploring these different bands provides a comprehensive understanding of Peter Frampton’s enduring musical legacy.
