Tonight on Live From The Vault: Peter Frampton’s “Frampton Comes Alive!” – A Legendary Live Album Experience

Every Saturday night at 9 PM EST, Live From The Vault brings music lovers an unforgettable journey through time with the Top 50 Live Albums of All Time, as celebrated by the writers at Variety Magazine. On this week’s show, we’re shining a spotlight on #19: Peter Frampton – Frampton Comes Alive! (1976), a live album that turned a talented English guitarist into a bona fide superstar and remains a touchstone for live rock recordings.

Before Frampton Comes Alive!, Peter Frampton had already made his mark with the band Humble Pie and four solo studio albums. Yet commercial success had only been modest. That all changed when Frampton hit the road in 1975, touring across the U.S., and capturing the electricity of his live performances at iconic venues like the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Island Music Center in Commack, NY, and SUNY Plattsburgh. What was initially intended as a single LP evolved into a double album, released on January 6, 1976.

The album’s rise to fame was gradual but unstoppable. Debuting at #191 on the Billboard 200, Frampton Comes Alive! steadily built momentum, reaching #1 in April 1976, where it stayed for 10 non-consecutive weeks. It became the best-selling album of the year, moving over 8 million copies in the U.S. and over 11 million worldwide, solidifying Frampton’s status as a household name. The album later earned accolades such as Rolling Stone’s 1976 “Album of the Year” readers’ poll and induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2020.

One of the album’s defining features is Frampton’s innovative use of the talk box, an effect that allowed him to shape his guitar sound with his voice. Tracks like “Do You Feel Like We Do” became legendary, showcasing this signature technique. Alongside this, the album produced enduring hits that remain staples on classic rock radio, including “Show Me the Way” and “Baby, I Love Your Way.” Critics praised the album for its authentic live energy, noting that the performances often surpassed the studio versions in intensity and excitement.

Despite its massive success, Frampton faced the downside of fame, famously earning a “pop idol” image after appearing on the cover of Rolling Stone and with the follow-up album, I’m in You. While this momentarily overshadowed his musicianship, it didn’t diminish the enduring power of Frampton Comes Alive!. Today, the album is not just a commercial triumph but a historical benchmark for live recordings, capturing an artist at the peak of his creative powers and connecting with audiences in a way few studio albums can.

Tune in tonight at 9 PM EST for Live From The Vault on Live Jam, where every track you hear is the live version, and experience why Frampton Comes Alive! continues to thrill generations of music lovers. This Saturday, immerse yourself in the magic of live music as we celebrate one of rock’s most iconic live albums.

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