Peter Frampton vividly remembers the shows that were recorded for his landmark live album, “Frampton Comes Alive!” — particularly the concert at Winterland in San Francisco, which fill most of the album.

But it might be surprising to know that the most memorable aspect for Frampton of the Winterland show (as well as a pair of concerts the preceding nights in Marin County) wasn’t related that much to the performances on stage themselves.

“We were headlining for the first time in the Bay area,” Frampton said in a recent phone interview. “That was very nerve-wracking, because it overshadowed the fact that there was a truck outside (recording) It was the first time my name was the only name on the ticket, and I was the guy they came to see. So that’s why they’re so indelible to me.”

That’s not to say that Frampton doesn’t remember the shows themselves. Winterland in particular stood out, and the thoughts that Frampton and his band had leaving the stage that night were confirmed the next day when they heard the previous evening’s tracks.

“We walked in,” Frampton said. “I remember looking at (guitarist/keyboardist) Bob Mayo, and we just went, ‘Holy crap! Listen to that. The energy of that crowd and how we’re playing, and we got it (on tape).’ It was one of those nights when we came off that night, we all said, ‘Oh my God, we recorded that. I can’t believe it.’ “

That good night changed the course of Frampton’s music career — and his life — forever. When “Frampton Comes Alive!” was released in early 1976, the album took off like few records in history. It topped Billboard’s album chart for 17 weeks, and was on that chart for more than 90 weeks.

In the process, Frampton became the biggest act in rock during 1975 and 1976, and a fateful photograph that graced the cover of Rolling Stone, showing a shirtless Frampton with his curly blonde hair flowing past his shoulders, turned him into a pop-music idol.

To mark the 35th anniversary of the album, the singer/guitarist has embarked on a marathon tour where, for the first time since 1976, he’s playing “Frampton Comes Alive!” in its entirety. On Tuesday, he’ll play a sold-out show at the State Theatre in Portland.

In a way, it’s surprising to see Frampton celebrate his most famous album this way, because although it was a thrilling time for him, he struggled with becoming known not as a talented guitarist, but a pop idol. It took him nearly 30 years to once again shift the focus back to his skills as a guitarist and musician.

Given the image issues, it’s not surprising to hear Frampton had some hesitations over doing the “Frampton Comes Alive!” tour. But two major factors convinced him — he liked the idea of playing the entire album (including bonus cuts that were added in subsequent reissues), and he knew the show would be long enough to accommodate newer material.

“I don’t think I can go out there and just do ‘Frampton Comes Alive!’ I’ve got to do the other stuff as well,” Frampton said. “I would feel unfulfilled and (like I was) resting on my laurels and taking the easy way out. That’s not it for me at all. It’s never been about that. I want to do new material.”

Frampton’s show for this tour achieves those goals. One set is the entire “Frampton Comes Alive!” performance, while the other set (which brings the show to three hours) features his more recent material as well as some songs from other parts his solo career and his Humble Pie years.

In a way, this tour allows Frampton to use his famous live album to introduce his other music to a whole new audience.

“There are some people that sort of shut down after ‘Frampton Comes Alive!’, people who are (now) coming out for the first time,” Frampton said. “And it’s a wonderful opportunity to say, ‘Well that’s what you remember, now check this out.’ “

Alan Sculley is a freelance writer.

 

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