Frampton Comes Alive!
Encyclopedia
Frampton Comes Alive! is a double
live album
by English rock music
ian Peter Frampton
released in 1976, and one of the best-selling live albums in the United States. Following four solo albums with little commercial success, Frampton Comes Alive! was a breakthrough
for the artist.
Released on January 6, 1976, it debuted on the charts at 191. The album reached number one on the Billboard 200
the week ending April 10, 1976, and was in the top spot for a total of 10 weeks. It was the best-selling album of 1976, selling over 6 million copies in the US and became one of the best-selling live albums to date. Frampton Comes Alive! was voted "Album of the year" in the 1976 Rolling Stone
readers poll. It stayed on the chart for 97 weeks and was still #14 on Billboard
s 1977 year-end album chart.
The most recognizable songs from the album are "Show Me the Way
", "Baby, I Love Your Way
", and "Do You Feel Like We Do
", all of which were released as singles, and continue to receive much airplay on classic rock
radio stations.
In January 2001, a 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of the album was released, containing four additional tracks that were not included on the original version (although one of these was recorded in a radio studio as part of a broadcast, and does not form part of the main concert programme). The track sequence is also significantly different, to more accurately reflect the set list used in the original concerts. Frampton produced the completely remixed and extended album, and played an impromptu live performance with the original band from the album at Tower Records in Los Angeles to help promote the release.
and the Long Island Arena
in Commack, New York
. The Winterland recordings were recorded on a 24 track
master recorder. Other concerts were recorded on a 16 track recorder. Recordings from four different shows were used for the original album. Master tapes were recorded at 15 inches per second using professional Dolby "A" noise reduction.
The live album was originally intended as a single LP disc, but at the suggestion of A&M Records
additional shows were recorded and the album expanded to two LPs for release. On the special features for the "Live in Detroit" concert DVD, Frampton commented that some difficulty was encountered in the mixing after the cord to the bass drum mic got pulled, accidentally causing the mic to face at a 90-degree angle from the drum head. During the concerts, Frampton principally used a distinctive black custom Gibson Les Paul
electric guitar (with three humbucking pickups as opposed to the usual two).
The double album
was released in the US with a special reduced list price of $7.98, only $1.00 more than the standard $6.98 of most single-disc albums in 1976. The album was pressed in "automatic sequence", with sides one and four on one record, followed by sides two and three on the other. This arrangement was intended to make it easier to listen through the whole album in sequence on automatic record changers.
Three hit singles were released from the album "Baby, I Love Your Way
", "Do You Feel Like We Do
" and "Show Me the Way
". The talk box
guitar effect became strongly associated with Frampton when it was heard on two of these singles. The "Do You Feel Like We Do" single version was edited to 7 minutes from the 14 minute album version. But even at 7 minutes it is about twice the length of the average hit single and one of the longest ever to make the top 40.
except as noted.
Side one
Side two
Side three
Side four
Disc two
, Wayne Campbell alludes to the album's popularity by saying, "Everybody in the world has Frampton Comes Alive. If you lived in the suburbs you were issued it". In the 1994 movie Reality Bites
character Michael admits that this album totally changed his life.
Double album
A double album is an audio album which spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically records and compact discs....
live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
by English rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
ian Peter Frampton
Peter Frampton
Peter Kenneth Frampton is an English musician, singer, producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He was previously associated with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd. Frampton's international breakthrough album was his live release, Frampton Comes Alive!. The album sold over 6 million copies...
released in 1976, and one of the best-selling live albums in the United States. Following four solo albums with little commercial success, Frampton Comes Alive! was a breakthrough
Breakthrough album
A breakthrough album is an LP or CD by a band or musician previously only known in the underground or indie scene of its given genre, which propels the group to mainstream attention and widespread fame and popularity...
for the artist.
Released on January 6, 1976, it debuted on the charts at 191. The album reached number one on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
the week ending April 10, 1976, and was in the top spot for a total of 10 weeks. It was the best-selling album of 1976, selling over 6 million copies in the US and became one of the best-selling live albums to date. Frampton Comes Alive! was voted "Album of the year" in the 1976 Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
readers poll. It stayed on the chart for 97 weeks and was still #14 on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
s 1977 year-end album chart.
The most recognizable songs from the album are "Show Me the Way
Show Me the Way (Peter Frampton song)
"Show Me the Way" is a song written by Peter Frampton, which was originally released on his 1975 album Frampton and as a single, but gained its highest popularity as a song from his 1976 live album Frampton Comes Alive!...
", "Baby, I Love Your Way
Baby, I Love Your Way
"Baby, I Love Your Way" is a song written and performed by singer Peter Frampton that was first featured on Frampton's 1975 album, Frampton...
", and "Do You Feel Like We Do
Do You Feel Like We Do
"Do You Feel Like We Do" is a song by Peter Frampton originally on the Frampton's Camel album released in 1973. The song became one of the highlights of his live performance in following years...
", all of which were released as singles, and continue to receive much airplay on classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
radio stations.
In January 2001, a 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of the album was released, containing four additional tracks that were not included on the original version (although one of these was recorded in a radio studio as part of a broadcast, and does not form part of the main concert programme). The track sequence is also significantly different, to more accurately reflect the set list used in the original concerts. Frampton produced the completely remixed and extended album, and played an impromptu live performance with the original band from the album at Tower Records in Los Angeles to help promote the release.
Background and recording
The album was recorded in summer and fall 1975, primarily at Winterland in San Francisco, CaliforniaSan Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
and the Long Island Arena
Long Island Arena
Long Island Arena was a 4,000-seat indoor arena in Commack, New York from 1959 until 1996. The Long Island Ducks of the Eastern Hockey League, a popular team in the small community, called the Arena home from 1959 until the league folded in 1973, one year after the New York Islanders came into...
in Commack, New York
Commack, New York
Commack is a census-designated place that roughly corresponds to the hamlet by the same name in the towns of Huntington and Smithtown in Suffolk County, New York, United States on Long Island...
. The Winterland recordings were recorded on a 24 track
Multitrack recording
Multitrack recording is a method of sound recording that allows for the separate recording of multiple sound sources to create a cohesive whole...
master recorder. Other concerts were recorded on a 16 track recorder. Recordings from four different shows were used for the original album. Master tapes were recorded at 15 inches per second using professional Dolby "A" noise reduction.
The live album was originally intended as a single LP disc, but at the suggestion of A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
additional shows were recorded and the album expanded to two LPs for release. On the special features for the "Live in Detroit" concert DVD, Frampton commented that some difficulty was encountered in the mixing after the cord to the bass drum mic got pulled, accidentally causing the mic to face at a 90-degree angle from the drum head. During the concerts, Frampton principally used a distinctive black custom Gibson Les Paul
Les Paul
Lester William Polsfuss —known as Les Paul—was an American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which made the sound of rock and roll possible. He is credited with many recording innovations...
electric guitar (with three humbucking pickups as opposed to the usual two).
The double album
Double album
A double album is an audio album which spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically records and compact discs....
was released in the US with a special reduced list price of $7.98, only $1.00 more than the standard $6.98 of most single-disc albums in 1976. The album was pressed in "automatic sequence", with sides one and four on one record, followed by sides two and three on the other. This arrangement was intended to make it easier to listen through the whole album in sequence on automatic record changers.
Three hit singles were released from the album "Baby, I Love Your Way
Baby, I Love Your Way
"Baby, I Love Your Way" is a song written and performed by singer Peter Frampton that was first featured on Frampton's 1975 album, Frampton...
", "Do You Feel Like We Do
Do You Feel Like We Do
"Do You Feel Like We Do" is a song by Peter Frampton originally on the Frampton's Camel album released in 1973. The song became one of the highlights of his live performance in following years...
" and "Show Me the Way
Show Me the Way (Peter Frampton song)
"Show Me the Way" is a song written by Peter Frampton, which was originally released on his 1975 album Frampton and as a single, but gained its highest popularity as a song from his 1976 live album Frampton Comes Alive!...
". The talk box
Talk box
A talk box is an effects unit that allows a musician to modify the sound of a musical instrument. The musician controls the modification by lip syncing, or by changing the shape of the mouth...
guitar effect became strongly associated with Frampton when it was heard on two of these singles. The "Do You Feel Like We Do" single version was edited to 7 minutes from the 14 minute album version. But even at 7 minutes it is about twice the length of the average hit single and one of the longest ever to make the top 40.
Track listing
All songs written by Peter FramptonPeter Frampton
Peter Kenneth Frampton is an English musician, singer, producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He was previously associated with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd. Frampton's international breakthrough album was his live release, Frampton Comes Alive!. The album sold over 6 million copies...
except as noted.
Side one
- "Something's Happening" – 5:41
- "Doobie Wah" (Frampton, John Headley-Down, Rick Wills) – 5:28
- "Show Me the WayShow Me the Way (Peter Frampton song)"Show Me the Way" is a song written by Peter Frampton, which was originally released on his 1975 album Frampton and as a single, but gained its highest popularity as a song from his 1976 live album Frampton Comes Alive!...
" – 4:42 - "It's a Plain Shame" – 4:21
Side two
- "All I Want to Be (Is By Your Side)" – 3:27
- "Wind of Change" – 2:47
- "Baby, I Love Your WayBaby, I Love Your Way"Baby, I Love Your Way" is a song written and performed by singer Peter Frampton that was first featured on Frampton's 1975 album, Frampton...
" – 4:43 - "I Wanna Go to the Sun" – 7:02
Side three
- "Penny for Your Thoughts" – 1:23
- "(I'll Give You) Money" – 5:39
- "Shine OnShine On (Humble Pie song)"Shine On" was a single released in 1971 by English rock outfit Humble Pie, one of the first supergroups of the 1960s. The song was written by Peter Frampton formerly of The Herd and was released by A&M Records...
" – 3:35 - "Jumpin' Jack FlashJumpin' Jack Flash"Jumpin' Jack Flash" is a song by English rock band The Rolling Stones, released as a single in 1968. Called "supernatural Delta blues by way of Swinging London" by Rolling Stone, the song was perceived by some as the band's return to their blues roots after the psychedelia of their preceding...
" (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards) – 7:45
Side four
- "Lines on My Face" – 7:06
- "Do You Feel Like We DoDo You Feel Like We Do"Do You Feel Like We Do" is a song by Peter Frampton originally on the Frampton's Camel album released in 1973. The song became one of the highlights of his live performance in following years...
?" (Frampton, Mick Gallagher, John Siomos, Rick Wills) – 14:15
25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
Disc one- "Introduction/Something's Happening" – 5:56
- Originally titled "Baby (Somethin's Happening)" on Frampton's 1974 album Somethin's HappeningSomethin's HappeningSomethin's Happening is the third studio album by Peter Frampton, released in 1974. It reached #125 on the Billboard 200 album chart.- Background :...
- Originally titled "Baby (Somethin's Happening)" on Frampton's 1974 album Somethin's Happening
- "Doobie Wah" (Frampton, Rick WillsRick WillsRick Wills , is a British bass player. He is best known for his work with rock band Foreigner and his associations with the Small Faces and Bad Company.-Career:...
, John Headley-Down) – 5:43 - "Lines on My Face" – 6:59
- "Show Me the WayShow Me the Way (Peter Frampton song)"Show Me the Way" is a song written by Peter Frampton, which was originally released on his 1975 album Frampton and as a single, but gained its highest popularity as a song from his 1976 live album Frampton Comes Alive!...
" – 4:32 - "It's a Plain Shame" – 4:03
- "Wind of Change" – 2:57
- "Just the Time of Year" – 4:21
- Available only on the 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
- "Penny for Your Thoughts" – 1:34
- "All I Want to Be (Is By Your Side)" – 3:08
- "Baby, I Love Your WayBaby, I Love Your Way"Baby, I Love Your Way" is a song written and performed by singer Peter Frampton that was first featured on Frampton's 1975 album, Frampton...
" – 4:41 - "I Want to Go to the Sun" – 7:15
Disc two
- "Nowhere's Too Far (For My Baby)" – 4:49
- Available only on the 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
- "(I'll Give You) Money" – 5:46
- "Do You Feel Like We DoDo You Feel Like We Do"Do You Feel Like We Do" is a song by Peter Frampton originally on the Frampton's Camel album released in 1973. The song became one of the highlights of his live performance in following years...
" (Frampton, Mick Gallagher, John SiomosJohn SiomosJohn Siomos, was an American rock drummer who performed with Todd Rundgren, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Rick Derringer, Carly Simon, Mark Moogy Klingman, Buzzy Linhart, Frampton's Camel and played on Peter Frampton's "Frampton Comes Alive", once the biggest selling album of all time,...
, Wills) – 13:46- SUNYState University of New YorkThe State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
-Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh, NY, November 22, 1975
- SUNY
- "Shine On" – 3:29
- "White Sugar" – 4:43
- Available only on the 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
- "Jumpin' Jack FlashJumpin' Jack Flash"Jumpin' Jack Flash" is a song by English rock band The Rolling Stones, released as a single in 1968. Called "supernatural Delta blues by way of Swinging London" by Rolling Stone, the song was perceived by some as the band's return to their blues roots after the psychedelia of their preceding...
" (Mick JaggerMick JaggerSir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
, Keith RichardsKeith RichardsKeith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created "rock's greatest single body of riffs", and placed him as the "10th greatest guitarist of all time." Fourteen songs written by Richards and songwriting...
) – 7:40 - "Day's Dawning/Closing" – 3:34
- Available only on the 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
Personnel
- Peter FramptonPeter FramptonPeter Kenneth Frampton is an English musician, singer, producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He was previously associated with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd. Frampton's international breakthrough album was his live release, Frampton Comes Alive!. The album sold over 6 million copies...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, vocals, talk boxTalk boxA talk box is an effects unit that allows a musician to modify the sound of a musical instrument. The musician controls the modification by lip syncing, or by changing the shape of the mouth... - Bob MayoBob MayoBob "Bobby" Mayo was a session keyboardist and guitarist, perhaps best known for his work with Peter Frampton....
– guitars, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, Fender Rhodes electric pianoElectric pianoAn electric piano is an electric musical instrument.Electric pianos produce sounds mechanically and the sounds are turned into electrical signals by pickups. Unlike a synthesizer, the electric piano is not an electronic instrument, but electro-mechanical. The earliest electric pianos were invented...
, Hammond organHammond organThe Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
, vocals - Stanley SheldonStanley SheldonStanley Sheldon is a bass guitar player best known for his work with Peter Frampton. He is notable as an early adopter of the fretless bass for rock music....
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocals - John SiomosJohn SiomosJohn Siomos, was an American rock drummer who performed with Todd Rundgren, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Rick Derringer, Carly Simon, Mark Moogy Klingman, Buzzy Linhart, Frampton's Camel and played on Peter Frampton's "Frampton Comes Alive", once the biggest selling album of all time,...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Album
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
1 |
| Canadian RPM 100 RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... |
1 | |
| UK Album chart | 6 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | "Baby, I Love Your Way Baby, I Love Your Way "Baby, I Love Your Way" is a song written and performed by singer Peter Frampton that was first featured on Frampton's 1975 album, Frampton... " |
US Pop Singles | 12 |
| UK Pop Singles | 43 | ||
| "Do You Feel Like We Do Do You Feel Like We Do "Do You Feel Like We Do" is a song by Peter Frampton originally on the Frampton's Camel album released in 1973. The song became one of the highlights of his live performance in following years... " |
US Pop Singles | 10 | |
| UK Pop Singles | 39 | ||
| "Show Me the Way Show Me the Way (Peter Frampton song) "Show Me the Way" is a song written by Peter Frampton, which was originally released on his 1975 album Frampton and as a single, but gained its highest popularity as a song from his 1976 live album Frampton Comes Alive!... " |
US Pop Singles | 6 | |
| UK Pop Singles | 10 |
Certifications
| Organization | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| RIAA – US | Gold | February 27, 1976 |
| Platinum | April 8, 1976 | |
| BPI – UK | Gold | September 1, 1976 |
| RIAA – US | 6x Platinum | November 14, 1984 |
| RIAA - US | 8x Platinum | August 2, 2011 |
In popular culture
In Wayne's World 2Wayne's World 2
Wayne's World 2 is a 1993 comedy film starring Mike Myers and Dana Carvey as hosts of a Public-access television cable TV show from Aurora, Illinois. The film was adapted from a sketch on NBC's Saturday Night Live and is the sequel to Wayne's World....
, Wayne Campbell alludes to the album's popularity by saying, "Everybody in the world has Frampton Comes Alive. If you lived in the suburbs you were issued it". In the 1994 movie Reality Bites
Reality Bites
Reality Bites is a 1994 American romantic comedy-drama film written by Helen Childress and featuring the directorial debut of Ben Stiller. It stars Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke and Stiller, with major supporting roles played by Janeane Garofalo and Steve Zahn. The film was shot on location in Austin...
character Michael admits that this album totally changed his life.