I-95 Exclusive: Peter Frampton Has Fond Memories of New Haven

Peter Frampton is a legendary Grammy-winning guitarist who’s been rocking for decades. He started young, playing in the British band The Herd and co-founding Humble Pie at just 18. Over the years, he’s worked with some of the biggest names in music, from George Harrison to David Bowie to B.B. King.

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Frampton’s still killing it, with his 2021 album Frampton Forgets The Words getting rave reviews, his 1976 live album Frampton Comes Alive! still one of the best-sellers ever, and even making a cameo in Almost Famous.

Frampton is headed our way, bringing his "Let's Do It Again" tour to Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday, March 30th. We got a chance to chat with Peter before he rolled into town, and while we were discussing the subject of getting rock star autographs when this New Haven memory jarred loose.

Dave: I still have your (autograph) from Toad's Place in 1992 in New Haven, it's still on my wall. 

Peter: "Oh, Toad's Place! I remember that. That was such a great, exciting venue, wasn't it?"

Dave: It really is, it still is. 

Peter: "Oh, wonderful! Yeah, I remember we played there before it burned down. Then it burned, they rebuilt it, and we played there again. I think we helped re-open it or something."

Here was another one of our favorite moments from our chat with Peter Frampton. 

Lou: You mentioned earlier that after Frampton Comes Alive came out, it became so popular that you got scared. I think I understand what you're saying when you say that. It's a lot of expectation, a lot to live up to. It's very rarified air—there are probably only a few people who have lived on this Earth that can relate to you: Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, who you mentioned earlier, maybe Taylor Swift today. Have you ever had a chance to sit down and talk to any of those people, or anyone of that ilk, and discuss the pressure that kind of popularity brings?

Peter: "Yes. I've known, since way before I played on All Things Must Pass with George (Harrison), and I made friends with him in 1970, as well as a lot of the players on there, one of them being Ringo (Starr). Ringo and I have known each other since 1970. We sat down—he came to see me at The Forum in '76—and we sat down backstage, and I said, 'What happens next? You know, what's gonna happen?' He said, 'Well, Pete, you know every career is different, but we spoke about it. I don't know, he said, last year you were at The Troubadour and now, five minutes later, you're at The Forum. He said, what went on? What's going on here?' I said, 'I don't know, the album took off.' But it was nice to be able to talk with him, and you know, he's always been there as a great friend—a lifelong friend."

You can listen to our complete interview with Peter Frampton below.

Part 1 - Peter talked about how the Sgt. Pepper's movie ruined his career. 

Part 2 - Peter talked about the pressure he endured after Frampton Comes Alive hit so big. 

Part 3 - Peter talked about going to the same school with David Bowie growing up. 

Check out the Ethan, Lou & Large Dave Podcast on Apple and Spotify